Skyports or PW's

cdifoto wrote in post #5986584
There's no way a D-Lite is as small as a 283 and an AC plug. Sorry. Not possible.

Never said it was. But by the time I pack the stands and umbrellas, there is only a very slight difference between packing my D-Lites and packing my Sunpak 383's... My D-lites pack into two very small "tripod bags", my Strobist setup packs into a Domke F-2 and one other tripod bag. So... not much difference! The only reason I have both setups is that the D-Lites stay set up in my studio unless I'm planning a shoot. The Strobist kit comes with me everywhere and saves my bacon when there is no AC power, and when I wasn't planning one but an impromptu shoot comes up.

Like I said, if I *know* I'm gonna have AC power and I'm going to a shoot, I bring the D-Lites! Much simpler.

Rudi wrote in post #5986930
Never said it was. But by the time I pack the stands and umbrellas, there is only a very slight difference between packing my D-Lites and packing my Sunpak 383's... My D-lites pack into two very small "tripod bags", my Strobist setup packs into a Domke F-2 and one other tripod bag. So... not much difference! The only reason I have both setups is that the D-Lites stay set up in my studio unless I'm planning a shoot. The Strobist kit comes with me everywhere and saves my bacon when there is no AC power, and when I wasn't planning one but an impromptu shoot comes up.

Like I said, if I *know* I'm gonna have AC power and I'm going to a shoot, I bring the D-Lites! Much simpler.

Yeah I get all four of my Vivitars in a small videocam bag from Wal-Mart. I don't have the AC adapters (yet) and just run off NiMHs. I use 'em at 1/2 power so far to improve recycling times. I don't feel like buying studio strobes again since I don't have a studio and don't see one in the near future. I'd get the AC adapters and use them if I conveniently have AC outlets handy. If not, batteries as usual.

cdifoto wrote in post #5986973
Yeah I get all four of my Vivitars in a small videocam bag from Wal-Mart. I don't have the AC adapters (yet) and just run off NiMHs. I use 'em at 1/2 power so far to improve recycling times. I don't feel like buying studio strobes again since I don't have a studio and don't see one in the near future. I'd get the AC adapters and use them if I conveniently have AC outlets handy. If not, batteries as usual.

Understandable. The small flashes can be surprisingly versatile in a makeshift studio. While I like and use them often, if I have AC power I actually find that setting up the studio strobes easier (I'm talking about putting them up on stands and attaching umbrellas and other modifiers). I can see why you'd prefer to stay with what you have though! The only potential annoyance that I can see with the AC adapters is if the cords are too short to be useful - then you'll have to carry a bunch of extension cords as well. Doable, but yet another thing to bring with you.

Rudi wrote in post #5987012
Understandable. The small flashes can be surprisingly versatile in a makeshift studio. While I like and use them often, if I have AC power I actually find that setting up the studio strobes easier (I'm talking about putting them up on stands and attaching umbrellas and other modifiers). I can see why you'd prefer to stay with what you have though! The only potential annoyance that I can see with the AC adapters is if the cords are too short to be useful - then you'll have to carry a bunch of extension cords as well. Doable, but yet another thing to bring with you.

Yeah I had an SB-4 awhile back but I can't honestly remember how long it was. I figure I'll keep a couple of the indoors 6 foot extension cords on hand and if they aren't long enough, I'll just use the batteries.

I don't do studio type setups enough to justify the proper strobes. I'm typically either shooting direct outdoors, bouncing the lights off the ceiling indoors, or aiming the lights direct for rim lighting on the dance floor indoors:

http://i14.photobucket​.com …ifoto/2008-07-19-0030.jpg

Obviously, I have some fine tuning to do. Such as snooting. You can see my mistakes by the shadows in the background. I forgot how wide a beam 35mm is.