outdoor lighting

I have 430ex.

I don't do any of home studio or portraits. I don't much use strobes...

However, I'm in a way to start learning lightning. When i flash 430 at night at outside. (especially taking pictures of cars) I don't know what to do with one flash. If i shoot directly, it goes ugly and if it points sky, then there is no flash

And I see lot of great pictures by using wireless strobes.

So here is my question... should i get another 430ex and buy stand/transmitters? Or get starter's studio lightning kit?

Another flash, a Speedlite Transmitter and a couple of light stands or tripods are much cheaper than studio lighting kits.

I'll assume you do location portraits. For that Speedlites with CP-E4 battery packs, Skyports, and these connection cables will work well. They're not cheap though, and you'll still need to understand things like balancing ambient and flash lighting, and how to avoid black backgrounds if you shoot at night (use long shutter speeds and higher ISO).

where can i buy a stand to fit speedlites? or link to DIY?

Also can you guys tell me How does CP-E4 works?

This stand, this bracket, this cord, this umbrella, this battery pack, these batteries, this charger.

The CP-E4 has 8 AA cells, it has a voltage multiplier and feeds about 330V into the high voltage port of a 550/580EX. The flash can charge much more quickly from the higher voltage.

I was in a similar situation as you a couple months ago.. What I would suggest is buy a stand, umbrella holder, and an umbrella.

the rest depends on your budget.


you have a bunch of options in stands and accessories, but here are a couple.

You want a portable light stand.
$19.95 = http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …5_Light_Stand_B​lack_.html


you need a umbrella mount & a hotshoe adapter to set your flash on for the stand
$13.95 = http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …117_Umbrella_Br​acket.html
this one comes with both.. if you buy another model make sure you get the hotshoe mount also.

and an umbrella
$24.95 = http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Umbrella_Collap​sible.html


I would get a simple setup something like that


the only problem you have is that the 430 does not have a sync port. Also, not sure which camera you have, So as far as remotely triggering the flash you will have to look into that.

anyhow what i did was experiment with my 580 EXII flash and stand for a little bit... then I considered buying another flash or two, but I started adding everything up and the cost was nearly what a set of alien bees would cost me... I ended up speding more, but got more power than 10 580 EXII's would give me now...

I also bought the ebay remote flash triggers for my flash.. they were nice to get a feel for off camera flash, but they fired allot on their own, so my batteries drained pretty fast. I ended up buying a set of pocket wizards, they work great, plus they have a $25 mail in rebate going on for a couple more weeks on them.

I would say spend the least amount to experiment with off camera flash, then you will know the next step you want to take..

I would also recommend reading Light Science & Magic. I bought it a couple days ago, and I am almost half way through it, and have learned a great deal about light already.


goodluck.

BobbyM wrote in post #7315869
the only problem you have is that the 430 does not have a sync port. Also, not sure which camera you have, So as far as remotely triggering the flash you will have to look into that.

The paramount cord I linked to above does that.

tim wrote in post #7315917
The paramount cord I linked to above does that.

Yea, Seen your post after I finished mine. and wasn't sure on the type of sync the 430ex has.

Wow you must type slow That cord attaches to the hotshoe of any flash.

tim wrote in post #7315991
Wow you must type slow That cord attaches to the hotshoe of any flash.

haha yea.. I should rephrase that and say my reply window was open that long...

the hotshoe yea, the jack ports on the flash is what I wasn't sure about.

This is a great thread, now after i bought my second speedlight i am thinking to do some strobist as well sometimes, so i have batteries and charger and not sure about the battery pack, and umbrellas is available, only i need to get better stands and mount and bracket i think, about the trigger i have only 2 PWs [I have one additional but it is US version and doesn't work with my european version].

Skyports are reasonably priced good quality triggers that've never let me down.

tim wrote in post #7316114
Skyports are reasonably priced good quality triggers that've never let me down.

Yes, it is tempting, so you telling me i shouldn't think about PWs? which is best, PW or Skyport?

PWs are the gold standard, with the best reliability and range, but they're large and expensive. Skyports and smaller, cheaper, but still work perfectly for what I do.

tim wrote in post #7316206
PWs are the gold standard, with the best reliability and range, but they're large and expensive. Skyports and smaller, cheaper, but still work perfectly for what I do.

And i said i have 2 PWs so far, shouldn't i use them and buy skyports?