Help setting up a mobile lighting solution

Hi there,

I own studio lights which I successfully use at home. Unfortunately they are useless for most location photography, due to the requirement for a power socket. I'm in the market for a flash solution that I can easily pack and bring to location for portrait/fashion shots.

I'd like something that it's not too expensive and allows me to have two light sources within umbrellas or small light boxes. I'd also like to have (on and off camera) manual control as well as ETTL II options (the latter being less important).

A strong limitation is that I'm using a fairly old camera (30D) so some cheapo triggers won't work due to the lack of a flash menu control in the camera.

Could you recommend two flashes and a trigger that would work well with my camera and for my needs, and cost less than a $1000 US total? Am I ignoring some other options that would work better for me?


Thanks in advance,
Tony

i've only been researching this, although it feels like i've been doing it forever, and have no direct experience with these products. Phottix Odin and Pixel King X are two options you should consider for full control.

My plan is to go cheap with full manual with YN-602 or 603. I have a few speedlights that I can use with that set-up for a while. I anticipate upgrading with full in camera (or maybe with a control unit in the hotshoe) control, and buying some of the YN ETTL flashes and new triggers. I think I like the Phottix system, but in 6 months someone will probably come out with something else and I'll have to change my mind again.

Another reason I want the cheap triggers to start out is to keep them as back up in the future.

have you seen this?

http://flashhavoc.com/​flash-trigger-guide-ttl/

This is getting a lot of air time but may be out of your price range.

https://photography-on-the.net …light=new+bare+​bulb+flash

The YN 568 EX II would be a good option as it has everything you asked for.

http://hkyongnuo.com/e​-detail.php?ID=323

Then you have Phoenix or Pixel King like he's gone mentioned and are getting great reviews. If you want to stick with Yongnuo then the YN-622C triggers. ETTL, HSS, rear curtain sync.

tonytony wrote in post #16285748
I own studio lights which I successfully use at home. Unfortunately they are useless for most location photography, due to the requirement for a power socket.

Have you thought about buying a generator or power pack (e.g. Vagabond)?

2 alienbees and a powerpack would be around that price range

YN is going to release a transmitter for the YN622 that allows for control of the system without having to use the camera's menu. Your current camera will work with the 622 triggers in ETTL mode, but you wont have access to groups.

I've been very happy with my recent purchase of the PCB Vagabond Mini Lithium packs for powering my studio lights on location. I can get roughly 550 full-power pops with my Elinchrom 600RX strobes with pretty respectable recycle times. They're light and portable, and I just attach them to the light stands and move them around with the lights on location. I just shoot manually with the strobes, and use PW's for triggers/receivers.

The thing to consider is that by the time you add stands and modifiers the Alien Bee setup isnt that much bulkier than a speedlite kit.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16287958
YN is going to release a transmitter for the YN622 that allows for control of the system without having to use the camera's menu. Your current camera will work with the 622 triggers in ETTL mode, but you wont have access to groups.

So, just to be clear, I can buy:

• YN622 trigger
  
• 2 x YN 568 EX II
  

No, you need 1 YN622c for each flash plus one for the camera if you want radio wireless ETTL. The 622's are transceivers so there are no transmitters or receivers as such. The reported new offering will be only a transmitter but it will have an enhanced control panel.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16288504
No, you need 1 YN622c for each flash plus one for the camera if you want radio wireless ETTL. The 622's are transceivers so there are no transmitters or receivers as such. The reported new offering will be only a transmitter but it will have an enhanced control panel.

Oh OK, unlike the full manual ones, they don't have a radio receiver built-in then.

tonytony wrote in post #16288526
Oh OK, unlike the full manual ones, they don't have a radio receiver built-in then.

I'm not sure what you mean here. The 622's can serve as both transmitter or receiver.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16288531
I'm not sure what you mean here. The 622's can serve as both transmitter or receiver.

I meant that the fully manual flashes (560 EX III) will not require a transceiver under them, because the radio receiver is built-in. So should I opt to go for a fully manual setup, I will simply need to buy the two flashes and a trigger (602). If I opt for the ETTL ones (568) I will need to buy the two flashes, and three transceivers (two for the flashes, one for the camera as a trigger).

tonytony wrote in post #16288544
I meant that the fully manual flashes (560 EX III) will not require a transceiver under them, because the radio receiver is built-in. So should I opt to go for a fully manual setup, I will simply need to buy the two flashes and a trigger (602). If I opt for the ETTL ones (568) I will need to buy the two flashes, and three transceivers (two for the flashes, one for the camera as a trigger).

Correct.

I use LumoPro LP160's with Cactus triggers. I was getting ready to upgrade to the new LP180's but I've actually hit the brakes on that and am now seriously considering Cheetah CL-160's. I'm very interested in the extra power, remote power control, and hypersync options.

Although neither the LumoPro's nor the Cheetah's support E-TTL.