What do you use for portable lighting

Hi

I have a kit of Elinchrom lights I use for events but now I'm planning to photograph families in their own homes. I don't fancy lugging the einchroms around and trying to use them in confined spaces.

I'd like to know what sort of kit any of you who do this sort of thing use?

I'm guessing my best options would be a few speedlites, with a small softox.

I have 2 x 600 EX RT and a 430 EX II with a couple of modifiers.

What do you reckon?

I have a toolbox that contains my portable kit.

4x YN-460 II's
3x 6' "nano" stands
2x superclamps
6x umbrella adapters
Tri-flash adapter
gaff tape and marking tape
4x rf-602's
2x westcott collapsible 43" soft silver
2x westcott collapsible 43" convertible
a few 44" wide fabric samples for backgrounds
Bungee ball cords
and I plan to add a foldable 24 or 30" softbox to the mix soon for flexibility

If it doesn't fit in a single box that I can easily grab and run with, it isn't "portable" by my definition.

That's an interesting kit you have. I notice that at the moment you're using mainly umbrellas as modifiers. I find these are great for groups and larger rooms but I can't control the light very easily in smaller rooms, especially with light coloured walls and low ceilings. Presumably that's the reason for the softbox coming along.

I agree with your idea of portability and that's what I'm after. The Elinchroms are portable to some extent but obviously a lot more bulky than Speedlites or similar

Thanks for sharing

For small rooms or such I bounce my Vivitar 283's (2)up into the ceiling/wall behind me and light up the entire room, most of the time a single 283 will do the job and I use a light meter to meter the light. Sometimes I'll use ettl and bounce my 580exII in the same fashion with camera set on manual and that works good also. For larger rooms I use my novatron kit and umbrellas.

The answer, to some extent, will depend on the camera. If you have a 5DIII or similar ISO 800 files can easily be used for prints up to 24x36 or larger. That means your 600EX-RTs will probably be enough.

If you have Eli modifiers you like, then a quadra with two heads is worth consideration.

I am a big fan of umbrella frame modifiers and use them with Cheetah Light 360s and 180s. That's enough light for any situation. I have the modifiers and stands in a grip bag and can use them with either the Cheetah Lights or 600EX-RTs depending on situation.

lazer-jock wrote in post #16400282
I have a toolbox that contains my portable kit.

4x YN-460 II's
3x 6' "nano" stands
2x superclamps
6x umbrella adapters
Tri-flash adapter
gaff tape and marking tape
4x rf-602's
2x westcott collapsible 43" soft silver
2x westcott collapsible 43" convertible
a few 44" wide fabric samples for backgrounds
Bungee ball cords
and I plan to add a foldable 24 or 30" softbox to the mix soon for flexibility

If it doesn't fit in a single box that I can easily grab and run with, it isn't "portable" by my definition.

You wouldn't happen to have a pic of this setup in the tool box would you?

I'm looking at either a ladder dolly http://www.amazon.com …1-3&keywords=ladder+doll​y
or a golf bag cart https://photography-on-the.net …?p=8053972&post​count=1194
for more portability when carrying stuff, especially light stands and the camera bag (Ape case medium usually).

In my ThinkTank Streetwalker HD I have 2 580 EXII's which go with me everywhere.

I have a Pelican 1564 with 2 Cheetah's (a 360 and a 180) and all of their related hardware. I bring this with me whenever I know for certain I'll need OCF. Even though I'll have the 580's with me already, since they're in my main camera bag, I prefer to use the Cheetah's and especially their remote power control capabilities. The 580's are sort of for "just in case" or if I need on-camera TTL.

And finally I carry a few stands, Creative Light 43" brolly's, and Photek 60" umbrella (which I LOVE), in this case: http://www.adorama.com​/TPCSD45.html

I did wonder if it might be better to look at something like the Ranger Quadra kit but it's a bit pricey for me at the moment. Maybe if I was starting from scratch I'd go for it but as I already have few speedlites probably not.

Cheetah is a name that is coming up more and more. Unfortunately, I'm in the UK and can't really get these easily. Even if I took a punt and had them shipped the cost would be pretty big and then the problem of after sales support becomes an issue.

I reckon I might just add a couple of YN flashes ( or maybe even some 580 EX II used ) to the mix and go with the modifiers I have. This sounds reasonable does it not?

willie45 wrote in post #16401331
I did wonder if it might be better to look at something like the Ranger Quadra kit but it's a bit pricey for me at the moment. Maybe if I was starting from scratch I'd go for it but as I already have few speedlites probably not.

Cheetah is a name that is coming up more and more. Unfortunately, I'm in the UK and can't really get these easily. Even if I took a punt and had them shipped the cost would be pretty big and then the problem of after sales support becomes an issue.

I reckon I might just add a couple of YN flashes ( or maybe even some 580 EX II used ) to the mix and go with the modifiers I have. This sounds reasonable does it not?

You can get the Cheetah/Godox AD-180 and 360 kits from Calumet UK and Lencarta UK, it works out cheaper than using Cheetah and you'll get the local UK warranty...BTW I got my 360 kit from Cheetah before I knew of the UK sellers!!! doh!

Hi Michael thanks for that. I will check out their prices but TBH I looked for them before I spent all that cash on the 600 EX RTs and if I had known they were in the UK then I'd probably have gone with them.

As it is,I can't really afford to jettison my speedlites having just bought them a few months ago. I will probably stick with the speedlites and add to them. I just don't see the point in making them redundant so soon.

I'm actually inclined to buy a couple of Nissin D866 which would cost around £400 and I believe I could use these in manual mode fired by the flashes I already have in optical trigger mode. Also there's no learning curve to speak of and I don't need to buy any more accessories and light modifiers.

If this is wrong can someone please tell me.

Thanks

I'm wondering now

Lencarta
http://www.lencarta.co​m …m-barebulb-portable-flash

Calumet (Genesis)
http://www.calumetphot​o.com …ess-trigger-kit/CF0182K1/

I use Quantum for that assignment, works great

A quick update. I purchased an Atom 360 from Lencarta and very very early impressions are very positive. The trigger I got from them won't do HSS though and I'm wondering if it's worthwhile looking for one that does.

Hbomb69 if you're still looking at this thread, ( or anyone else using godox type flashes ) do you use HSS at all and if so what triggers do you use?

3 Yongnuo 565EXs, 1 Canon 580EX II, an Apollo Orb, several Yongnuo 622C triggers and lightstands. I bounce off of the ceiling and walls when inside.

I see you just got an Atom, but will add that if you can wait a bit and want to expand your flash lineup, Yongnuo is coming out with their version of the Canon 600EX RT's which will work WITH the Canon system, along with their version of the ST-E3-RT. That would allow you to expand your flash system at a lower price point (though pricing not yet announced). There's a thread on these here:
https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1332862