UK Strobists, Where Do You Buy Your Equipment?

I have been making a list of the bits and pieces I need to assemble a basic off-camera flash set-up, as advised on the Strobist.com site, but when searching for UK prices and suppliers I haven't been able to find much.

Does everyone simply go to the frequently-recommended Midwest Photo Exchange in Ohio and get things sent by them?

Thanks

Mike

america all over the place often works out cheeper as well !


loads of info here
http://flickr.com/grou​ps/ukstrobists/

Thanks for the link Zilly. I didn't know about that group.

I have been looking at the kits that Midwest Photo Exchange sell, so I'll e-mail them and see how much shipping will be to the UK

Mike

no worries
I buy my light stands here http://cameras2u.com/ not great but at £9 cant go wrong

Warehouse Express/The Flash Centre, oh and this link can help:

http://www.cameraprice​buster.co.uk

gadget infinity, never let me down.

My experiences with buying bits from B&H and having them shipped over can be found here:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=470557

www.indikit.com for stands!

L

Thanks for the latest replies everyone.

Mike

I shoot almost exclusively with a 580EX controlling a 430EX and 420EX flash guns.

Expensive but useful for a lot of situations.

I was originally looking at getting a 430EX, then thinking about moving on to a 580EX, so that the 430EX could then be used as a slave. Having looked at what I wanted to do, I realized that it led me up a rather expensive path, which still didn't allow me as much control as I would have expected.

I'm now wondering where the 430EX's and 580EX's strengths lie. Is it all to do with convenience and ease of use?

Mike

I'm wanting to get into flash but having the same problem as you, Mike. First is the learning curve, second is actually getting hold of the kit for a decent price. People recommend makes that you just can't buy over here.

Jo

I e-mailed Midwest Photo Exchange, just to see how much the postage would cost on one of their 'Starving Student' strobist kits.

If you haven't found it already, this is a pretty good starting point on the Strobist.com site: http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com/2006/03/lightin​g-101.html

This I found via Zilly's link above and is quite helpful: http://imagespike.word​press.com/strobist-uk-buyers-guide/

I'll post back here when (or if) I get a price back from Midwest Photo Exchange.

Mike

For gels, velcro and ball bungees:

www.flashgels.co.uk

Just ordered the CTO/CTB gel pack, effects pack and some ball bungees.

I bought my stands, brolly clamps and silver brollies from the flash centre. I got my translucent one from speedgraphic.

I got a set of different sized spring clamps from B&Q for holding backdrops etc.

Scott

I just got a reply back from Midwest Photo Exchange about postage for one of their 'Starving Student' ( ) kits:

They said:

So that's just over £30, which will also have duty and VAT added to it along with the value of the goods, when HM Customs get their hands on it. So, total postage including duty and VAT will be just under £40, assuming the current exchange rate.

Mike