Investing in a new system...

[570LF]

So, for the past 4 years ive been shooting with a couple "hand me downs" that my old teacher gave me. Made my own 100' remote cord (thats all i could afford at the time) and got creative. Till Pocket wizards came in my christmas stocking =)

Im looking into buying some new flashes. Need some help.
1st let me tell you what i shoot mostly...
-Action Sports (Snow/Wakeboard, Ski, BMX, MTB, Skate...etc.)
-Sports
-Fitness Model
-Portraits

90% of my work is on location so portablity is a must.

Now, Here is what ive been looking at and the ideas that have been running through my head. I know some might sound odd.. but theres just so many choices to choose from these days. :confused:

1st, to completely freeze action, its understood to have a flash speed of at least 1/1000 w/s for crisp pictures. 600 + w/s is doable.

Ive been eyeing the E*****om Ranger Rx, a bit expensive ($2500 for the battery, and A Head) but well worth it. Ive had personal experience with this system, and it really works wonders.

I could easily set up one or two of the flashes i have now as rims and fills, and have the strobe act as my maine.. but heres a Problem.. cant really set that up everywhere you go. So a speedlight would be more practical in that aspect.

My idea then was to get 2 or 3 SB-800's (im a nikon shooter) and then again with my PW's remotely shoot them for sports.
Problem is the flash speed is around 1/1 to 1/128 i beleive.

(on a side note::: does anyone shoot with directly the SB-800's or canons 580ex's for sports, and how are your results?)

Investing in 2 or 3 sb800's with the turbo batter pack is just as expensive as the Ranger Rx kit.

Which would be a better solution here? would be great if i could get ranger rx and sb-800, but i dont have that money to dump right now.

So please, any input here would be greatly appreciated. Or, any alternative solutions here.

[570LF]

That is an excellent point. Thanks for that. ;)

Another quick question for you, have you ever felt yourself being in a position where it was difficult to handle/manage your strobe system?

...here is what im worried about...

Im at a boxing event, or MMA fight. Im paid to get good reliable pictures. f/1.4 on the 50mm allows great ambient but with low, non stadium lights (the horrible orange gym lights) my subjects occasionally turn soft. I've been able to use my flashes that I currently have to help freeze that, but im still missing those great shots due to softness. Theres a cage or some kind of barrier around the floor that people are getting up againts to cheer on the fighters. Setting the flash up infront of the cage, ropes..etc would greatly chance a loss in an expensive investment.

How would you deal with a similar situation where maneuverability was to it's minimal?

I know the rx has a great distance, so would it be somthing to where you can simply set it up higher in the ceiling or back behind the crowd so to speak?

Im just trying to get a painted picture to how, in certain circumstances, anyone can work with it.

Thanks again,
-Keith

[Bill Ng]

1st, to completely freeze action, its understood to have a flash speed of at least 1/1000 w/s for crisp pictures. 600 + w/s is doable.

My idea then was to get 2 or 3 SB-800's (im a nikon shooter) and then again with my PW's remotely shoot them for sports.
Problem is the flash speed is around 1/1 to 1/128 i beleive.

No, you're confusing the flash duration with the flash power. Almost all flashes on the market have a duration somewhere between 1/4000th and 1/20000th of a second depending on the power level they are fired at. There isn't a single flash you could buy right now that would not "freeze" your subjects.

If you're looking to shoot flash on-camera, get something from Nikon to do TTL (like an SB-600 or an SB-800). If you're looking to do the Strobist thing and move your flash off-camera, skip the expensive Nikon units and pick up a pair or two of the Sunpak 383s for $80 a pop.

Bill

[eigga]

Indoor events you would want to bounce the flash off the ceiling. You can install them around the venue or up in the rafters and fire them as you wish. It works great.

I have used this method for indoor basketball, drama performances, and dance performances.

[eigga]

Have you researched White Lightning?


Portable Power - http://www.white-lightning.com/VIIsystem.html

Flash Units- http://www.white-lightning.com/x1600.html (or 3200 if you need tons of power)

You could get 3 flash units, 3 vagabonds and all the fixings for around $2500

[570LF]

Are you familiar with Garyland?
http://www.garylandphotography.com/




Thanks for that link....His work is amazing. He is probably definately one of my favorite photographers now haha.

And your 2nd point on medium styled equipment, isnt my problem. nor would it be if that were the case. you dont need top cameras to produce great images. Yes, the lense plays one of the utmost crutial parts, however.. you can get the same results from a canon rebel xti compared to a 40d. I personally shoot nikon series D40x and D300 (just upgraded). i also shoot film on the fm10 and f100. As far as my lenses, my 70-200 f/2.8 works great in most conditions.. i just know i can produce some higher quality work with creative lighting. heres whats in my bag,
Nikon bodies:
FM10
F100
D40x
D300

Nikkor Lenses:
-10.5mm fish
-12-24mm f/2.8
-24-70mm f/2.8
-70-200mm
-16mm f/1.8
-50mm f/1.4
-85mm f/1.8

Although i have some high quality/priced equipments.. i shot on the FM10 35mm camera with kit lense for 6 years and loved it. I still perfer to shoot the manual over automatic F100. I also enjoy making and experimenting with various types of pinholes.

But thanks for the links and imput from everyone. this will help me make an easier decision when it comes down to "purchase" day..

o what a happy day itll be =)


-Keith

[570LF]

Have you researched White Lightning?


Portable Power - http://www.white-lightning.com/VIIsystem.html

Flash Units- http://www.white-lightning.com/x1600.html (or 3200 if you need tons of power)

You could get 3 flash units, 3 vagabonds and all the fixings for around $2500


Thanks alot for this link as well, i honestly have been searching for the right flash/strobe system for about a year now. And no one has brought to my attention these strobes.

Leaves me wondering why they sell so much cheaper then the competitors though?

Does anyone here have experience with these?

[eigga]

Paul Buff makes both White Lighting and Alien Bees. Try searching Alien Bees and you will get a lot of feedback from the forum.

My personal experience is they are top notch, high quality lights that perform as expected. I have really put them through some situations and they are awesome. I went with White Lightning because they are a little more heavy duty.

They really do have great customer service as mentioned here often. And I dont own stock :), I am just that happy with mine!

"At White Lightning, our highest priority is our customers, each individual customer. To ensure that you are happy with your purchase, we offer a 60 Day Absolute Satisfaction Guarantee"

http://www.white-lightning.com/guarantee.html