Interior Photography Flash Setup

[blanc]

Hi

I use my camera for Interior Photgraphy (Real Estate). I was going to purchase a 430 or Sunpack external flash and use it on the cameras hot shoe.

However most people I speak to suggest getting multiple flash units.

I have a number of beginner questions so please forgive me.

1: Would two flash units suffice to begin with?
2: How do I fire the flash units together?
3: Can the cameras in built flash fire the two flash units?

Regards

Steve

[blanc]

Sorry Just to add..I want something portable and real easy to use.

[Jim M]

This may help.

http://photographyforrealestate.net/

I'm thinking multiple flashes, although I have virtually no experience with this area of photography.

[BearLeeAlive]

Steve, I have no experience with this at all (yet). I have however been researching it a lot, and just placed an order for the following stuff from B&H to start my lighting kit. It is all sitting here in town at the UPS depot, awaiting delivery tomorrow. My idea is to start with one hotshoe mounted flash and 2 remotes.

This stuff directly below is to meet the flash lighting requirements
3 - POCKET WIZARD PLS 2 TRANSCEIVER /RELAY
2 - 9.6' Air-Cushioned Lightstands
2 - 383 Super Auto Flash
2 - Umbrella Bracket
1 - EE-D FOCUSING SCREEN f/EOS 5D
1 - DUAL-AXIS CLEAR LEVEL

This lens I bought to shoot with as well, though I know not totally neccesary, but it will be fun to play with for other things.
1 - Wide Angle Tilt Shift TS-E 24mm f/3.5L Manual Focus Lens for

I also got a couple umbrellas and a flash mount softbox, more for other uses, but if I can incorporate them to help with fill light, so much the better.
1 - 45" White Satin Umbrella
1 - Umbrella - "Eclipse" Silver, Black Cover - 45"
1 - CM-N3-P Pre-Trigger Motor Cord
1 - EZYBOX HOTSHOE 15x15" w/BRACKET

I also added these cords from FlashZebra to connect the flashes to the PW's.
1 - Female Hotshoe to Pocket Wizard
2 - Sunpak 383 to Pocket Wizard

I also have a 580EX and an older small Nikon flash.

If you do a web search, there is a lot of sites out there that are a great help. I can list some of the ones I found if you like.

[blanc]

3 - POCKET WIZARD PLS 2 TRANSCEIVER /RELAY
2 - 9.6' Air-Cushioned Lightstands
2 - 383 Super Auto Flash
2 - Umbrella Bracket
1 - EE-D FOCUSING SCREEN f/EOS 5D
1 - DUAL-AXIS CLEAR LEVEL


If I was to purchase the above would this be all I need to start with? I have a 350d?

[BearLeeAlive]

3 - POCKET WIZARD PLS 2 TRANSCEIVER /RELAY
2 - 9.6' Air-Cushioned Lightstands
2 - 383 Super Auto Flash
2 - Umbrella Bracket
1 - EE-D FOCUSING SCREEN f/EOS 5D
1 - DUAL-AXIS CLEAR LEVEL


If I was to purchase the above would this be all I need to start with? I have a 350d?
Other than making sure you have the cables to connect the PocketWizards to the flashes it would. You would not need the focusing screen, or the level, they are tools to help and stuff I wanted for other reasons.

As mentioned, I have yet to give this gear a try, but I am quite confident it is a good starting place. As I take more of this type of shot, I will determine what is best for me. I know in reading, some of the folks who have done this type of photography lots actually use anywhere from 1-6 flashes, many set at different exposures to fill in areas that need the exposure boosted. Sometimes direct, bounced, diffused or reflected dependent upon the situation.

[blanc]

Cheers again..Im slighlty confused though..I am new so dont shoot me. What exactly does the pocket wizard do?(make flashes fire together?).

Also I have seen a setup on ebay. They use 2 flashes, y cord, dual bracket to hold both flashes and a pocketwizard. Does this sound good?

What makes the connection between the camera and pocket wizard? Can you use the cameras flash to fire other flash units?

[blanc]

IF YOU HAD 600 TO SPEND WHAT WOULD YOU BUY? I need ease of use, portability and reliability. Preferably2/3 flashes, stands etc.

[Jim M]

Do a web search for Scott Hargis. There are a number of interviews with him here and there. He has excellent interior real estate photography skills and has shared much info about his techniques and equipment. I remember something he posted once (maybe on the Strobist site) that disected several of his interior shoots.

[blanc]

Cheers will look into it. All suggestions much appreciated.

[BearLeeAlive]

Do a web search for Scott Hargis. There are a number of interviews with him here and there. He has excellent interior real estate photography skills and has shared much info about his techniques and equipment. I remember something he posted once (maybe on the Strobist site) that disected several of his interior shoots.
That interview was at PhotoCamel. In it he had a bunch of great links. He does use the cheaper radio transmitters. I went with PocketWizards because I don't like cheap, and usually save up to but something good and reliable. But, there are many other options. I have read a fair bit here about the Skyports and folks who like them.

[blanc]

cheers again. i dont mind cheap if it would get me at least 6 months of use. was thinking 2 sunpaks and a cheaper rad transmitters. can you suggest any suitable

[blanc]

http://www.all-things-photography.com/photographing-bathrooms.html

http://www.all-things-photography.com/speedlight-or-flash-diffusers-and-softboxes.html

In this article the same guy says he uses this setup when he is in a rush or has smaller rooms to contend with. Houses in Ireland are all circa 1000-2000 sq ft and are nowhere near as open plan as US homes, would this system work? What is needed? 2 flash units? Bracket? Stand? Would you use a radio to trigger the flash units? Would it be possible to put one on the hot shoe and two off camera?

All help appreciated as this is the setup im ideally looking for and thanks for all the help so far, sorry for all the qs Im just worried about spending money on something and find out I need more/different parts to make a good system work properly

[blanc]

Anyone..Im getting confused and need your advise

[BearLeeAlive]

Anyone..Im getting confused and need your advise
Sorry, I wish I was more qualified to add any more than I did. I too was extremely confused. I read lots of posts here and articles on the web, asked a couple questions and just figured out what I thought would work well. Time will tell. My B&H order arrived today. I still need the cables from FlashZebra to get it all up and running. I'm just playing with my new lens now to get it all figured out.