Off Camera Flashes

[CanonPhotographer]

Hello Everyone!

I am a skateboarding photographer looking to buy some off camera flashes. I have no idea what to buy because there is alot of choices out there. I was looking at the pocketwizard recievers and whatnot. They are really really expensive. So then i was considering the bees recivers and transcivers. Are they just as good or close to the pocketwizards? I also need two flashes. Ive seen some sunpak flashes and wondering if they are any good. All ideas are appriciated and if possible could you find me the most inexpensive items?

Thanks

[tim]

Yep Cybersync's are good, so are Skyports (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/505381-REG/Elinchrom_EL_19360_EL_Skyport_Universal_Radio_Slav e.html/BI/2312/KBID/3114), both are similar prices.

The Vivitar 285HV (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/61441-REG/Vivitar_233965_285HV_Auto_Flash.html/BI/2312/KBID/3114) is a classic cheap flash that works pretty well. Recharge time isn't great but they work ok especially on lower power. Sunpak make decent manual flashes too.

[CanonPhotographer]

alright, thanks, any other suggestions from anyone are all appriciated

[CanonPhotographer]

what does dedicated and non dedicated for the flashes mean?

[gonzogolf]

Go with the vivitar 285HV's. Cheap ($90 or so new)!Powerful. Durable, I've had mine 22 years or so. Plus lighting gear for skateboarding shots are going to take some hits, might as well use something made to take it.

[Sam|McGuire]

Older Nikon Speedlights! Older Nikon Speedlights! This is the best way to go. Pick up 2 SB-25s and some cybersyncs and you'll be all set. The Nikon speedlights are extremely easy to use, very powerful and very affordabled. $90, same price as the 285hv but you get a rear LCD which is much easier to use.

[CanonPhotographer]

thanks! and will i need a hotshoe to pc adapter thingy? for the flash. and should i get 2 flashes or 1

[Familiaphoto]

thanks! and will i need a hotshoe to pc adapter thingy? for the flash. and should i get 2 flashes or 1

Under what circumstances are you shooting? Are you trying to freeze action, will you be indoors or out? Etc... This will help with recommendations.

[CanonPhotographer]

i am going to be shooting skateboarding. outside. ive been looking at websites and whatnot for a couple hours now and im beginning to understand it better

[Familiaphoto]

Lighting sports outside can be tricky. It is very easy to expose your subject but get an extremely dark background. You might want to also confirm that you are allowed to use lights at the event. Sometimes its not allowed.

[CanonPhotographer]

im taking pictures of my friends skateboarding. at our local park and at spots and whatnot. its not an event and all of the skate photographers i see use flashes during the day

[tim]

Older Nikon Speedlights! Older Nikon Speedlights! This is the best way to go. Pick up 2 SB-25s and some cybersyncs and you'll be all set. The Nikon speedlights are extremely easy to use, very powerful and very affordabled. $90, same price as the 285hv but you get a rear LCD which is much easier to use.

Since the strobist starting talking about them they've gotten more expensive.

[kibipod]

Hi,

I have Sunpak flashes and they are very good. Here are two links - one about different sunpak flashes and the second one about trigger voltage. Try Sunpak flash with manual power control.

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/flashes_meters/sunpak_flash/sunpak_flash_units.htm

http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html

[CanonPhotographer]

ok thanks. ill look at them

[chainz]

I've got a bunch of Sigma 430 Super's lately. Work great!

[jbergdoll]

www.SkatePerception.com.

Now that that's out of the way...
I shoot mainly skating and also portraits, but either way I'm heavily involved in off-camera lighting. I've got four PocketWizards, two Sunpak 544s, and a Nikon SB-24. You don't need to deal with dedicated TTL flashes because you're going to be shooting off camera.

Here's what I suggest for starting out:
Have all of the money ready when you want to go with off-camera flash. This is expensive stuff. Even if you go with the eBay trigger route, you still have to get two flashes, two tripods/lightstands, etc. It adds up. I started with eBay triggers, one of my current Sunpak 544's, and a Vivitar 285HV. The 285HV is powerful but lacking in terms of a non rotating head, and limited power selections compared to the Sunpaks. Personally, I'd go with two Sunpak 522s, 544s, or 555s. They are battery hogs (6 per flash) but the batteries last quite awhile, and the flashes are extremely versatile. When shot at 1/2 power or under (1/1000 duration) they make for a perfect skate photographer's workhorse, which is why so many skate photographers use these flashes. You can find them on www.Keh.com for between $50-100 per flash.

Personally, I'd suggest a set of CyberSyncs (or PW's if you have the money), two Sunpak 5XXs, and two light stands or tripods (whichever you prefer).

Before you jump into the world of off-camera lighting, however, get to know exposure, and composition. Get your photos looking GOOD first, and then add in off camera lighting.

[CanonPhotographer]

thanks man! thats the best reply yet! that has everything i need to know and ive been on skateperception before. its a sick site. thanks once again!

[bobbyz]

If using manual flash, canon 540ez is another option. Nice features, takes external battery pack and you can get used ones for < $100. Better IMHO than $90 on 285HV.

[jbergdoll]

thanks man! thats the best reply yet! that has everything i need to know and ive been on skateperception before. its a sick site. thanks once again!
No problem, post up when you get your gear, and good luck.

[CanonPhotographer]

ok i will and thanks once again!

[CanonPhotographer]

ok so i think ive picked the items i want. tell me if im leaving anything out that is a necessity. Alienbees cst transmitter, and csrb reciever. the vivitar 285 HV. and do i need a light stand for the flash? if so im just going to get the simple cheap 20$ one on B&H. Also what adapters do i need from http://www.flashzebra.com/hotshoes-shoes/index.shtml and how many of them do i need? And one last thing, is b&h a good place to order from? for the flash and stand, or could i find it somewhere else for cheaper?

thanks for all your help!

[gonzogolf]

ok so i think ive picked the items i want. tell me if im leaving anything out that is a necessity. Alienbees cst transmitter, and csrb reciever. the vivitar 285 HV. and do i need a light stand for the flash? if so im just going to get the simple cheap 20$ one on B&H. Also what adapters do i need from http://www.flashzebra.com/hotshoes-shoes/index.shtml and how many of them do i need? And one last thing, is b&h a good place to order from? for the flash and stand, or could i find it somewhere else for cheaper?

thanks for all your help!

B&H is probably the most popular retailer on this forum (other than maybe Lon from Flashzebra) they are the the default for most of us. I would recommend you get a stand, dont spend too much, you aren't putting a lot of weight on it. You'll need a swivel bracket, get the one from flash zebra. I dont have the cybersync's so I cant tell you what you need for that, but I'm sure a quick email to flashzebra will answer all your questions about adapters. you are probably going to want an umbrella or softbox to soften the light.

[CanonPhotographer]

thanks, and all other comments are appreciated