Equipment for a new strobist

[GtiKyle]

I know, there are a ton of threads out there, and trust me, i've spent WEEKS pouring over these threads, and those at the flickr strobist group discussion. I've become very interested in the "creating your own light", instead of always relying on what nature gives me. I want to put together a cheap, effective, and portable lighting setup. Here are my conditions:

Cheap - I'm a student, so not going overboard with gear

Reliable - I'm not one for frustrating crap i.e. cactus triggers

Portable - I like the power of the bigger units like AB's, but i want portability.

I currently own a 430EX II, so after some research i've come up with the following items. Please add any comments or if i've missed anything. Also, if anyone out there has a similar setup, please chime in with insight.


Vivitar to Pocket Wizard, CyberSync or Elinchrom Skyport Item # 0028 - $14
PC to Flash Hotshoe Adapter Item # 0065 -$11
Cybersync CSRB - $69.95 x 2
Cybersync CST - $59.95
Vivitar 285HV - $89.99
Umbrellas, stands, mounts - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=475575&is=REG - $98.95
Now, my real concern in the package from BH. I don't know if the 32" umbrellas will be big enough. I thought about just piecing together stands, mounts, and larger umbrellas. Can anyone comment on that?

Thanks!

[Sp00ks]

They sell kits here http://www.mpex.com/page.htm?PG=Strobist%20Kits

I just ordered a bunch of stuff from them, not delivered yet. I called and they were quite helpful. I spoke with Sonny, he wasn't the absolute most knowledgeable but what he didn't know, he asked the other guys there and answered all my messed up questions. Trust me, I had a few doosies.

I did not order the kits but I did order some of the things included in the kit. I can let you know if my order comes through and I get what I expected ect. if that helps you.

I went with pocket wizards but cybersyncs were my 2nd choice. I have seen the kit you linked from B&H suggested many times as a good entry level kit.

Hope this helps. I have been through the same process as you recently.

[GtiKyle]

Thanks for the suggestion. I actually looked extensively at what MPEX offered, and it just wasn't quite what i needed. I liked the cybersyncs, and they offer the more expensive PW's.

I've ordered all my camera gear from BH, and never had an issue. I think i'm sticking with loyalty to them :P

Can you tell me what sized umbrellas you decided on?

[Sp00ks]

I ordered a 43" but have no experience with it yet. I can't say I would suggest it or not yet. One of the more experienced lighting guys around here will have to field that question. But $16 for a 43" shoot through, I'm not out much.

I have spent many thousands of dollars at B&H myself. Midwest just seemed to be a little easier to me and had everything in one spot for the most part. Plus they are the little guy and I thought I would try them and throw a few dollars their way. I was hesitant which is why I called. The guy that helped me bent over backwards and was very pleasant. Not that I am in any way trying to talk you out of B&H.

I got a Impact boom stand for Christmas, purchased from B&H, it arrived broken. It wasn't shipping damage, the box was pristine. It happens and they are exchanging it with little trouble. I saw what was broken on the stand and it just seemed a little cheaply made. I could have fixed it but the wife wanted to return it, she didn't feel right letting me fix it because it was a present.

[twiggles]

Good Choice with the CyberSyncs, I had PWs after one day, I took them back to the the store and promptly ordered CyberSyncs. What a great value!

[Sp00ks]

Good Choice with the CyberSyncs, I had PWs after one day, I took them back to the the store and promptly ordered CyberSyncs. What a great value!

Why? Price? or did you have issues with them? C'mon man, you can't make a statement like that and not qualify it :)

[twiggles]

Why? Price? or did you have issues with them? C'mon man, you can't make a statement like that and not qualify it :)

haha fair enough... it was an issue of cost/benefit and build quality. When I got my PW IIs and anxiously open them, I was REALLY dissappointed with the build quality. Honestly, my ebay triggers were built just as good if not better.

Also, for half the price of 2 PWs, I was able to get the cybersync transmitter and 3 receivers.

Im not a pro, and I dont need 1600 ft range, so it was an easy decision to go for the cybersyncs since I thought there was no way build quality could be worse than the PWs. I was pleasently surprised by the build quality and size of the cybersyncs. The feel MUCH better than PWs and the size is much better too.

But this is just my 2 cents, there are MANY happy PW customers on here...

[xblindx]

im on the same boat as you Gtikyle

i just got few flashes and reading through all these thread to get a decent kits to began with and also the cybersyncs

[Sp00ks]

Thank you. I purchased them mainly for the distance and the ability to remotely fire the camera and a off camera flash. I sure didn't like the cost but they were more aligned on what I want to do from the research I did.

I appreciate the feedback even though it took a little prodding :)

[twiggles]

haha, yeah,sprry for not justifying my comment..

You can use CyberSyncs to remotely fire a camera too...

Admittedly, the range isnt that of PWs, but I have NEVER been in a situation where the range was an issue, and I havnt even had to use them in repeater mode.

To each his own, if I was a pro I would have PWs simply for their ROCK SOLID reputation and 3rd party compatibility i.e. sekonic modules, etc.

[GtiKyle]

Great input guys, thanks. I feel better about my choice with the cybersyncs. I feel the same way, if I was pro, i'd be swinging for the PW's, but i think the cybersyncs should serve me well.

Any other thoughts on umbrella sizes? I'd love to also get a softbox, but i feel that's gonna break the budget up a bit.

[Sp00ks]

Great input guys, thanks. I feel better about my choice with the cybersyncs. I feel the same way, if I was pro, i'd be swinging for the PW's, but i think the cybersyncs should serve me well.

Any other thoughts on umbrella sizes? I'd love to also get a softbox, but i feel that's gonna break the budget up a bit.

I saw this over at the Strobist website this morning and thought of you.

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/01/back-to-basics-how-to-choose-umbrella.html

[Cmizzle]

i would say 43" is way to big...i hate the size of mine especially indoors...a 32" or maybe 36" (if they make those) would be fine

and my cybersyncs have yet to fail me!