Need Home Studio Flash Startup Kit

Hi,

I am looking for a small, home use studio flash kit (2 lights?). I used to have Alient Beed when I was in the US but now I am in the UK and need something that will run here. I do not have ABs any more. Also, I have a Canon XTi (400) camera which does not have Sync connector so please keep this in mind when recommending. I do have SB800 II flash if I can use that in the setup somehow, even if it is just to trigger flash lights.

I won't give out a budget but in this tight credit crunch market, the least I spend on this is better . It will be used for home/family pics anyway.

thanks.

I just ordered myself the Calumet Genesis 200 2-light kit. They have them on eBay and you can make a Best Offer (I did and got mine cheaper) - or you could go instore.

I should be getting it in the next few days, so I can't comment on it yet - but the reviews on this forum are excellent.

CeeJayCee wrote in post #7185202
I just ordered myself the Calumet Genesis 200 2-light kit. They have them on eBay and you can make a Best Offer (I did and got mine cheaper) - or you could go instore.

I should be getting it in the next few days, so I can't comment on it yet - but the reviews on this forum are excellent.

Thanks CeeJayCee. Do you mind me asking who you bought them from and for how much on ebay? Also, what are you using to trigger these lights (or will be using)?

Thanks.

I bought them from Calumet's eBay store: http://stores.ebay.co.​uk/Calumet-Photographic-UK. They are £296 normally and I managed to get just over 10% off.

I have a Gadget Infinity Trigger / Receiver (Cactus V2s) for setting off the flashes. The Genesis heads also have optical slaves built in, so you could trigger them from your existing flash (just dial it down, so it doesn't affect your lighting).

http://cgi.ebay.com …EWNX:IT&item=27​0324621213

i bought a set of these. they work well. the only downside is that they have a screw thread on the bottom as opposed to a flash mount like the cactus triggers. the cactus triggers are said to have more misfires and issues.

once you go off camera, you open up a new can of worms

c2thew wrote in post #7185401
the cactus triggers are said to have more misfires and issues

I've heard about the issues surrounding the cactus triggers, but I've never had any problems. They do sometimes trigger themselves if the trigger and receiver get too close (like, touching).

CeeJayCee wrote in post #7185411
I've heard about the issues surrounding the cactus triggers, but I've never had any problems. They do sometimes trigger themselves if the trigger and receiver get too close (like, touching).

CeeJayCee,

Did you get your lights? How do you like them? I just ordered mine. I do not have any wireless triggers yet and I am thinking since these lights have light sensor, I can perhaps use my 580 EXII to trigger these lights if I set the flash to low power or perhaps order a set of ebay wireless triggers.

Any recommendations? Anyone?

Thanks.

Baadil wrote in post #7204087
CeeJayCee,

Did you get your lights? How do you like them? I just ordered mine. I do not have any wireless triggers yet and I am thinking since these lights have light sensor, I can perhaps use my 580 EXII to trigger these lights if I set the flash to low power or perhaps order a set of ebay wireless triggers.

Any recommendations? Anyone?

Thanks.

I got the lights last night - had a quick play with them, some samples are here on my flickr account: http://www.flickr.com …e/sets/72157613​081829204/.

They are taken using the Cactus V2s trigger on the camera, with the receiver either on the genesis light (via pc-cord) or on my 430EX (via hotshoe). I would recommend getting a trigger to get the most out of them (or a hot-shoe->pc-cord adaptor). I had a few misfires with the cactus triggers, need to figure out if that is the battery or my camera...)

Also, my kit shipped with US power leads (luckily, I had my own spares to test with) - Calumet are shipping me replacement UK ones today.

CeeJayCee wrote in post #7204151
I got the lights last night - had a quick play with them, some samples are here on my flickr account: http://www.flickr.com …e/sets/72157613​081829204/.

They are taken using the Cactus V2s trigger on the camera, with the receiver either on the genesis light (via pc-cord) or on my 430EX (via hotshoe). I would recommend getting a trigger to get the most out of them (or a hot-shoe->pc-cord adaptor). I had a few misfires with the cactus triggers, need to figure out if that is the battery or my camera...)

Also, my kit shipped with US power leads (luckily, I had my own spares to test with) - Calumet are shipping me replacement UK ones today.

Thanks for your reply. Images look good, nice soft shadows.

What do you think about the wireless unit?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk …A12%7C39%3A1%7C​240%3A1318

Since I have not seen the lights yet, could you please let me know if they have the regular sync plug (like the one this trigger uses)?

Thanks.

Baadil wrote in post #7204243
What do you think about the wireless unit?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk …A12%7C39%3A1%7C​240%3A1318

To be honest, that seems very cheap - and you tend to get what you pay for, especially on eBay. But I guess it's cheap enough to try it out - if it sucks, you haven't lost much. I personally think the Gadget Infinitry triggers are pretty good, but it all depends on how much you have to spend at the present moment.

Baadil wrote in post #7204243
Since I have not seen the lights yet, could you please let me know if they have the regular sync plug (like the one this trigger uses)?

They have a mini-jack connector (not sure what the exact technical name is) - basically, the connector that's in the picture on the listing without the small->big adaptor.

They also come with a jack->pc-cord cable for each light (a long one) that might fit straight into that receiver you linked to.