Portrait Lighting With 2 Vivitar 283's ?

[dannym]

Can anyone tell me if it would be possible to get a decent portrait using a Sunpak 544, 2 Vivitar 283's, 2 silver umbrella reflectors and a 28" silver flat reflector? Can't really afford a "real" lighting system right now. Also, how would be the best way to sync them? The only thing I have right now are the cheapo shoe mount sensors and a sync cord for the 544. Any advice would be much appreciated.

[DaveG]

Can anyone tell me if it would be possible to get a decent portrait using a Sunpak 544, 2 Vivitar 283's, 2 silver umbrella reflectors and a 28" silver flat reflector? Can't really afford a "real" lighting system right now. Also, how would be the best way to sync them? The only thing I have right now are the cheapo shoe mount sensors and a sync cord for the 544. Any advice would be much appreciated.

I'd take the 283's and buy two umbrella brackets from B&H. I'd also buy a light slave and an extension synch cord. I'd have each 283 set on Manual, and I'd mount each one on a light stand using the umbrella bracket and an umbrella.

Now I have a flash meter so I'd set up the fill light, and use the synch cord for this one, within 20 degrees of the camera, & so that it is ONE STOP less bright than the Main flash, which of course is the other 283. Set that flash up - with the Slave attached - so that it's about 45 degrees to one side of the subject. and use the synch cord for this one.

The only way that you will be able to adjust the output of the 283's on Manual is by moving them in and out and you will need a flash meter. You meter each light separately and at the subject position. That's how you get the lighting ratio and a one stop difference is a 3:1 lighting ratio. Your meter them together and that's your exposure.

You CANNOT use your camera's built in flash to trigger the light slave since it will output the E-TTL double flash pulse, which will trigger the slaves prematurely.

This system will only work if there are no other flashes being fired, so using it at a wedding with Anunt Gertrude happlily snapping pix is impossible.

If you don't have a flash meter but can borrow one you can easiliy make a cheat device for the next time. Take a length of cord and tie it to a light stand. When you set up the fill light extend the string and tie a knot in it at the subject position. Attach a card to the string that says something like "ISO 100, f5.6" Then do the same thing with the Main Light. This time the card should read "ISO 100, f8". The next time you set up the lights you do things the other way around. You set up the Fill and move it in and out until the knot is at the subject position, and then you do the same with the Main light. This is not the most elegant way to do it but it absolutely works.

Although your review screen and histogram will work well for getting you the correct exposure, it'd be almost impossible to set up a lighting ratio without a flash meter, or a cheat like the knot thing.

[mgbeach]

Dave, that knot trick is ingenious!

[DaveG]

Dave, that knot trick is ingenious!

I'd love to take credit for it but it's a pretty old trick.

[dannym]

DaveG,
Man! Thanks for all the info. That lays it out pretty well for me. Also wanted to let you know that I have a Sekonic 358 meter and the umbrella adapters for the hot shoe mounts. Should I try to integrate the Sunpak flash or just use the 283's by themselves?

[DaveG]

I had originally thought that using a flash in the hotshoe and TWO slaves might be better, but it's a godawful thing to hang that stuff off of the hotshoe if you can avoid it. Certainly you could use the Sunpak on a light stand (replacing one of the 283's) and could use that 283 as the trigger. But I think it's work better the first way.

[PhotosGuy]

The only way that you will be able to adjust the output of the 283's on Manual is by moving them in and out and you will need a flash meter. You can get manual adjustment with one of these Vivitar-VariPowers. I plugs in and replaces the sensor. A bonus is faster recycling & less battery drain.

[dannym]

You can get manual adjustment with one of these Vivitar-VariPowers. I plugs in and replaces the sensor. A bonus is faster recycling & less battery drain.

Thanks PG. I'm going to see if I can snag a copule of these off eBay. That would make things a lot easier. You guys have been a great help. Thanks again to all, and if you think of anything else please let me know.