Budget Starter Strobist Kit

[lippstuh]

Trying to put together a decent set just to learn about off-camera lighting. Nothing really spectacular.

- CTR-301P: 1 transmitter and 3 receivers
- Flashes: I have one 430ex, but need some good alternatives for $50-110 each
- Light stands: I don't see the point of spending so much yet, so the cheaper the better, up to 8'
- Umbrella Adapters: Need 2 or 3, where do I get them from?
- Umbrellas: 2 or 3 Westcott white. I want to shoot through white, not sure what size is a good size.
- Misc: Missing anything?

budget is $200-340, college student ftl

[lippstuh]

or should i get the calumet genesis 200 (x2) kit. can i still use the CTR-301P?

[yokotas13]

BH impact flash stand and umbrella kit is 99.00
+40 for ebay transmitter and a few recievers (i got one transmitter and 3 recievers with mine for 45.00)
and then a flash

budget met

[Tcon]

This is close to what I did:

2x Light Stands = $36.00 (Ebay)
2x Umbrella Brackets + Shoot Through Umbrella = $20.00 (Ebay)
2x Vivitar 285HV's = $178.00 (Ebay)
2x FlashZebra HotShoe Adapters = $28 (FlashZebra)
2x AlienBee's Cybersync Receivers Battery Powered CRSB = $140
1x AlienBee's Cybersync Transmitter CST = $59.95

Total - $461.95

I know its over your budget, but I wouldnt waste my time/money on anything less than CyberSyncs.

Rene

[Marloon]

go after this...

1) bh light stand kit - 99
2) 2 rosco sample packs - 0.02
3) 2 transmitter CTR-301P and 4 Recievers - for back ups just in case -100
4) whatever flash combo you'd like.

its sad to say that i dont ever use my umbrellas anymore :(

[lippstuh]

go after this...

1) bh light stand kit - 99
2) 2 rosco sample packs - 0.02
3) 2 transmitter CTR-301P and 4 Recievers - for back ups just in case -100
4) whatever flash combo you'd like.

its sad to say that i dont ever use my umbrellas anymore :(
really? u don't use your umbrellas, interesting.

thanks for the break down everyone

[yokotas13]

i use the CRAP out of my umbrellas. trust me you need em if your doing portrait stuff. most people like the soft like rather than hard stuff

[photomatt8]

Here you go. If you can swing $370 + shipping.

Calumet Genesis 2 light kit. http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CF0502K1/

This gives you 2 studio strobes
2 light stands
2 umbrellas

And, the best part about this, you can use all of this wirelessly. Mount your 430 speedlite onto your camera and when it fires, the two studio strobes will fire automatically via their optical slave triggers. I do it all the time, and it works great.

[Marloon]

i use the CRAP out of my umbrellas. trust me you need em if your doing portrait stuff. most people like the soft like rather than hard stuff

i do TONS of hard light portraitures... soft is pretty good too :D

[speedster00]

look at cowboy studio gear on ebay. you can get 2 full umbrella set up for $55 shipped.

[lippstuh]

Here you go. If you can swing $370 + shipping.

Calumet Genesis 2 light kit. http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CF0502K1/

This gives you 2 studio strobes
2 light stands
2 umbrellas

And, the best part about this, you can use all of this wirelessly. Mount your 430 speedlite onto your camera and when it fires, the two studio strobes will fire automatically via their optical slave triggers. I do it all the time, and it works great.
so you're saying i don't need to buy any wireless triggers like cactus v2/v4 or the YN, or pocket wizards?

what if i don't want to use my 430ex? how will it still fire?

i'm still deciding whether or not i want/need the portability of a strobist set up or a moonlight set up. i really think the calumet kit is a very good buy indeed, but portability is a concern. i want to be able to shoot vehicles, not just portraits.

IMO umbrellas are NECESSARY, i hate hard light. i'm guessing 99% i will be using an umbrella or some kind if diffuser.

[yokotas13]

you do not want studio stuff starting out
flashes are more versatile, and les of a headache for new guys

[Cyrix_2k]

Trying to put together a decent set just to learn about off-camera lighting. Nothing really spectacular.

- CTR-301P: 1 transmitter and 3 receivers
- Flashes: I have one 430ex, but need some good alternatives for $50-110 each
- Light stands: I don't see the point of spending so much yet, so the cheaper the better, up to 8'
- Umbrella Adapters: Need 2 or 3, where do I get them from?
- Umbrellas: 2 or 3 Westcott white. I want to shoot through white, not sure what size is a good size.
- Misc: Missing anything?

budget is $200-340, college student ftl
For the flashes, I like the 540EZs. They're about $80 used and offer good power/recharge times.

I got an ebay special for two light stands, umbrella/flash holder, and two 33" umbrellas for $70. I then bought a set of 33", 43", and 60" umbrellas for something like $20. I have the Cactus V2(s) (PT-04) triggers/receivers and they work fine for me. So far, I've really only been using two flashes/umbrellas and the product has been great! Keep in mind you can also buy adapter to use a tripod as a light stand (or you can rubberband umbrellas to the handle in a pinch).

[lippstuh]

you do not want studio stuff starting out
flashes are more versatile, and les of a headache for new guys
that's what i figured.

i like the 540ez, good price for a good flash. i remember someone starting a thread saying they found some stands for $6 or something....