OCF for dummies?

OK, I have been reading some threads about wireless flash and I am still confused. My learning method requires that I both read about things and also be shown how it is applied. Since there is nobody around here (home) to show me the latter in laymans terms, can anyone on the site give me some simple directions (hence the term OCF for dummies) for what I would like to accomplish?

What I would like to do is very simple, I would like to be able to take shots of items like cars, some tabletop placement shots, etc. Using multiple flashes.
What would I need to buy to make this happen?

My current flash equipment is: Canon 430exII and a RF602 transmitter/receiver.

I am thinking of getting a couple of YN-460ii flash ( this would give me 3 flashes).
All I would need to do then is get 2 more RF602 receivers only, correct?
Then when I set it up all I need to do is make sure that all 3 receivers are set up on the same frequency as the transmitter, right?

Sounds pretty basic in my head, but just need/want confirmation before I pull the trigger (no pun intended) on purchasing items.

I really appreciate any help as I really want to be able to learn more.

You are correct. 2 YN Flashes, then two more triggers.

Do you have stands? etc?

I find that my Bowens Light Stands BW6615 are really good, light weight and well made.
Manfrotto MN026 Lite Tite Swivel and Umbrella Adaptor For mounting the flashes to the stands.
I've also got some softboxes that already have the mountings for flash guns. They're also know as hotshoe soft boxes. Got them of ebay, Lastolite to some ones similar but they're twice the price if not more.

I presume for table top your going to use 2 for lighting and one for the background?

PeteA wrote in post #11552450
You are correct. 2 YN Flashes, then two more triggers.

Do you have stands? etc?

I find that my Bowens Light Stands BW6615 are really good, light weight and well made.
Manfrotto MN026 Lite Tite Swivel and Umbrella Adaptor For mounting the flashes to the stands.
I've also got some softboxes that already have the mountings for flash guns. They're also know as hotshoe soft boxes. Got them of ebay, Lastolite to some ones similar but they're twice the price if not more.

I presume for table top your going to use 2 for lighting and one for the background?

Thanks for the info. No, I do not have stands yet, but I have been using my 430exII on a mini tripod that works pretty well on the tabletop.

And yes I had planned to have 2 flashes on each side and then 1 to light from the back. Is that a good way to do things?

Yeah it's one of the most simple ways of doing it. Personally I'd use your Canon flash to light the background and then use the two YN's for lighting your object. The reason for this is the YN's should be balanced and therefore getting even light on the subject should be easier to do.

Get your self some white card to use as reflectors, does wonders. I prefer using mat card, had a few issues with gloss.

How is your backdrop setup? one big sheet in a curve or do you have it dropping off the edge of a table and then the backdrop spaced from there?

PeteA wrote in post #11553253
Yeah it's one of the most simple ways of doing it. Personally I'd use your Canon flash to light the background and then use the two YN's for lighting your object. The reason for this is the YN's should be balanced and therefore getting even light on the subject should be easier to do.

Get your self some white card to use as reflectors, does wonders. I prefer using mat card, had a few issues with gloss.

How is your backdrop setup? one big sheet in a curve or do you have it dropping off the edge of a table and then the backdrop spaced from there?

Haven't really set anything up yet. I usually just have either a big curve but will be making a more permanent set up at some point. Living in an Apt doesn't lend itself to a lot of room so it has to be something that breaks down & stores easily.

Mr. Bill wrote in post #11553414
Haven't really set anything up yet. I usually just have either a big curve but will be making a more permanent set up at some point. Living in an Apt doesn't lend itself to a lot of room so it has to be something that breaks down & stores easily.

I know what you mean, I used to have a massive space for product photography. 30ft wide by 30ft long and about 15ft tall. Now the same as you, you end up making do with what you have.

I hired a space of a warehouse a while back, just for a week, cost me about £150 for the space that they weren't using but it was a hell of a lot easier to work. Just an idea

I have or have previously owned several different speedlights. They all should work with your RF-602's.

I currently own a 580 EX II and Sigma EF 500 DG Super and a 540EZ. They can be used off camera in manual with power adjustments down to 1/128th power output.

The Canon 430EX had same adjustments with power to 1/64th if I recall correctly.

Previously, I owned 2 Canon 540EZ and 1 Canon 430EZ. These are for off camera use only. They were designed for cameras that precede the current digitals. But they offer manual control. The 540 can be adjusted to 1/128th while the 430EZ is adjustable to 1/64th.

My only gripe was the 430EZ has a "energy saver" feature that will put to sleep after a period of inactivity. At the time, I was using Skyports to trigger the speedlights and they wouldn't wake it up. I have read where the RF-602's will wake the 430EZ, so that is good. It is well built and cheep on the used market. All of the other models I have described have a way to turn off the "energy saver" mode.

So there are a few speedlights you could also consider if the price is right. Not to mention the Nikon SB-24-26 models which I have no experience with but they are supposed to work great according to some folks.

Last thought. The Canon 580 EX II, 580EX, 550 EX, 540EZ and the 430 EZ all have the ability to use a battery pack. I have two I bought from flashzebra.com. They have worked well for me for two seasons shooting flashed football at night (300-500 shots per game).

Hope you find this info helpful.
Mike

Examples:
1) Canon 430EX mounted on a modified spring clamp with umbrella adapter
http://i226.photobucke​t.com …t_stringer/Clam​p3-640.jpg
http://i226.photobucke​t.com …t_stringer/Clam​p1-640.jpg

2) Canon 540EZ mounted on handrail in the gym triggered by a Skyport receiver
http://i226.photobucke​t.com …etball/FlashSet​up-650.jpg

3) Canon 580 EX II mounted on a magic arm in the gym
http://i226.photobucke​t.com …sh%20Setup/MTH_​3726r1.jpg

4) Sigma EF-500 DG Super mounted on a modified spring clamp ready for service with Skyport receiver attached.
http://i226.photobucke​t.com …20Mods/Flashset​up-600.jpg

Mr. Bill wrote in post #11553105
Thanks for the info. No, I do not have stands yet, but I have been using my 430exII on a mini tripod that works pretty well on the tabletop.

And yes I had planned to have 2 flashes on each side and then 1 to light from the back. Is that a good way to do things?

The best way to start leaning is to start with one light. Move it around to see the effect of the various placements (high, low, left right etc.) After you do that add a second one and see what that does for you. The reason I suggest this is too often we see new users go all in with 3 lights. Each light you add creates one more shadow to deal with so start by controlling your first shadow before you add 2 more.

^ i just started getting into this and i have one light and moving around to see the effects of various placement. I love OCF work. Will be ordering two more flashes, stands, receivers in the near future. But like u said i want to learn with one first.

OP: You gonna be taking lots of pics of car cause? i know i will be and cant wait for the weather to warm up in TN, so i can really get some practice in.

Johnnyk_1 wrote in post #11554043
^ i just started getting into this and i have one light and moving around to see the effects of various placement. I love OCF work. Will be ordering two more flashes, stands, receivers in the near future. But like u said i want to learn with one first.

OP: You gonna be taking lots of pics of car cause? i know i will be and cant wait for the weather to warm up in TN, so i can really get some practice in.

I hope to take some more shots of our car club once the weather warms up like you said.