Lighting gear - stand, umbralla adapter, umbrella

m_stan

I'm doing some reading on strobist, and want to put some of the learnings into practice at home.

While I normally buy my gear online it seems like I need some advice on what I should be getting here as it doesn't appear to be as simple as it looks.

Can anyone recommend a store who could advise a newb like me on what I need, and can sell me this type of stuff without me having to re-mortgage ?

Would Gunns etc be a good option for these types of accessories ?

Ricky91t

Heres an old thread on lighting Might give ya abit of help.Other than that i have'nt got a clue have'nt reached that stage yet

King Eric

Im a big fan of Strobist too, I got most of my stuff in jessops before they closed down.

This guy seems to be very good for gels
http://www.flashgels.co.uk/shop/

I got my gels and my superclamps from this website
www.thomann.de



Superclamps --> http://www.thomann.de/ie/search_dir.html?sw=superclamp&x=0&y=0

You also need a stud for this to attach a flash or a camera, i bought 2 M6 screws and took a hacksaw and file to them instead

they also do lighting stands but only the slightly bigger ones and the supermassive ones
this would be the most suitable one there
http://www.thomann.de/ie/manfrotto_051_nb_alu_stativ.htm

but this is the one you really want to get
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/512196-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_001B_001B_3353_3373_Nano.html

Ive found a website that has them for about 60euro each with delivery free if you spend over a certain amount (ie. buying two or the superclamps) will be putting in an order hopefully at the end of the month.

-->http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/ProductDetails~man~Manfrotto~productID~4943~categoryid~158.html

they also have the superclamps but are a bit dearer
-->http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/ProductDetails~man~Manfrotto~productID~4067~categoryid~158.html

7 day shop have some umbrellas and umbrella clamps too

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_1&products_id=8380

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_1&products_id=7794

and hotshoe adapters too
http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/default.php?type=0&man=0&filterwords=hotshoe&go=SEARCH&comp=

i reckon if you can get what you can online and then the other stuff locally. You cant really go that far wrong, if you dont get the right thing it'll just be not as ideal as the "right" item


btw homebase have 4 ball bungees for €2 and loads of velcro


This may help you http://lightingmods.blogspot.com/2007/11/strobist-gear-where-can-i-find-it-in.html

I Wonder would it be an idea to try a Strobist meet up like the seattle boys did but on a slighty smaller scale?

Ricky91t

King Eric wrote: »

Im a big fan of Strobist too, I got most of my stuff in jessops before they closed down.

Jessops closed down?
Are you talking about a shop in Dublin?

PaulieC

Umbrella/adaptor and flash mount here

Stand here

King Eric

Yup, at the bottom of grafton street right beside spectra photo/apple store

it all fell over on its arse and they shipped out last september after 3 years of a half ass attempt at an irish colonisation

I worked there for a while, not the way to run a company, everything had to go through england, everything. Was all about pushing boxes out the door and getting money in the tills, a debate for another day.

Strobist rocks ,!..!

m_stan

cambo_gueno wrote: »

Umbrella/adaptor and flash mount here

Stand here

mmm tempting. have you bought these particular items from these sellers and are a happy customer ?

thanks for the detailed replies guys !

rymus

King Eric wrote: »

it all fell over on its arse and they shipped out last september after 3 years of a half ass attempt at an irish colonisation

That's all down to a scathing letter of complaint I sent to their head office. I alone am the reason Jessops pulled out of the Republic of Ireland.

PaulieC

m_stan wrote: »

mmm tempting. have you bought these particular items from these sellers and are a happy customer ?

thanks for the detailed replies guys !

I bought this, although not off this seller (I can't see it in my ebay history who I bought it off) and I got the flash adaptor from B&H. The stand and umbrella are fine - not the most rugged or professional kit you'll ever see, but who cares at that price, right? Plus it folds down and fits into a pretty small case, which is important for me as I have limited space to play with.

I'm just about to order another 430EX flash and ST-E2 controller, so I'll be needing another stand and umbrella combo soon myself. Will probably order off these guys

Paulw

rymus wrote: »

That's all down to a scathing letter of complaint I sent to their head office. I alone am the reason Jessops pulled out of the Republic of Ireland.

I bet that's not the only thing you're responsible for.

So, what was the nature of your letter? I never liked the shop myself.

rymus

just happened across an especially ignorant salesman in there that I thought head office would benefit from knowing about.

PaulieC

m_stan wrote: »

I'm doing some reading on strobist, and want to put some of the learnings into practice at home.

While I normally buy my gear online it seems like I need some advice on what I should be getting here as it doesn't appear to be as simple as it looks.

Can anyone recommend a store who could advise a newb like me on what I need, and can sell me this type of stuff without me having to re-mortgage ?

Would Gunns etc be a good option for these types of accessories ?

This thread just pushed me over the edge! I've just gone and ordered my 430EX, ST-E2, flash adaptor for light stand and some 2700 mah batteries. Am also bidding on light stand and umbrella.

Thanks Mark!!:(

m_stan

cambo_gueno wrote: »

This thread just pushed me over the edge! I've just gone and ordered my 430EX, ST-E2, flash adaptor for light stand and some 2700 mah batteries. Am also bidding on light stand and umbrella.

Thanks Mark!!:(

hehe - happy to be of assistance

better head off and make a purchase myself now, before I let the side down!

can't wait to get into this strobist stuff ...

Fajitas!

Sh*te.

You've gone and made me buy a Bowens studio kit.





(joke)

PaulieC

Fajitas! wrote: »

Sh*te.

You've gone and made me buy a Bowens studio kit.





(joke)

yeah well, some of us have jobs and can't afford that kind of stuff

Paddy@CIRL

Your going to regret buying that ST-E2 yoke dude, as it only works with Line of sight


I got two full lastolite Flash kits including stands, brollies, flash adaptors and carrybags for around €250 ...

rahenyguy

paddy where did you pick up the kits from ?

PaulieC

Paddy@CIRL wrote: »

Your going to regret buying that ST-E2 yoke dude, as it only works with Line of sight


I got two full lastolite Flash kits including stands, brollies, flash adaptors and carrybags for around €250 ...

I actually did want something more like that kind of kit, but I just haven't got the room in my house at the moment to put it. An extra flash and st-e2 will fit in my bag...

I've read a few reviews and they all seem to indicate that I will be able to use it how I planned to - mostly speedlights forward and either side of camera - but if line of sight becomes an issue, I think it can be connected to the Canon off-camera cord for more flexibility.

Paddy@CIRL

Mine all fits in my bag too, just without the stands and brollies is all, lol. I got a trigger and four receivers for under €50, going to mod them for AA soon enough which apparently gives a 100% firing.

Meant to add, I ordered the stands and stuff from Speed Graphic in the UK, but unimpressed that everything I ordered is on Backorder ....

m_stan

I went and bought this stand and this kit which includes a flash shoe & diffuser umbrella.

I alreayd have a Canon Speelite 580 EX II and some Cactus V2 triggers, so with these I should be set for a little strobist experimentation.

Noooo idea what they are like. Time will tell !

PaulieC

m_stan wrote: »

I went and bought this stand and this kit which includes a flash shoe & diffuser umbrella.

I alreayd have a Canon Speelite 580 EX II and some Cactus V2 triggers, so with these I should be set for a little strobist experimentation.

Noooo idea what they are like. Time will tell !

Cool. We could have a 'light off' when we both get our gear

PaulieC

not got my gear yet, but I was messin' about yesterday with a white backdrop, lit on one side by a vivitar flash/umbrella combo and bounce flash off from the front. I can really see the need for lighting on both sides to get high key portraits - for these ones I have to up the exposure and saturation in Lightroom to try to remove all the shadows...

Any tips for best lighting setup to get shots like what I was trying to get here???

m_stan

Nice work considering the lack of gear. Where dya get the backdrops ?

Have you read Lighting 101 on strobist yet ? Should cover everything you need to know. I'm starting to read it myself in advance of my new gear coming.

Keep us posted on how you progress. I'm very keen to learn from others who already know this stuff !

PaulieC

I got the background support here and the backdrop on ebay. The guy I got it off doesn't seem to trade anymore, but you can get them here.
They seem expensive, but the size of them is what you're paying for. My white backdrop is 10'x20' (and you need it that big really). It's sure not fun to iron it! I may get a black one next, depending on how I do with my new setup...

I have read strobist - some of it I find useful, but I find it very hard to visualise lighting setups by just reading about them. I find it easier to get the kit setup and experiment to see what works

m_stan

This might help, except he's shooting against a black backdrop. I guess it's like all things - experiment and you'll gain knowledge and eventually get it right.

Paddy@CIRL

Ideally for Highy Key, you should use four lights, two lighting the background and two lighting the subject. You can use cutters to stop stray light from the background lights getting at your model. Set your two model lights to the same power and two background lights to a stop less.

PaulieC

thanks for the link Mark - I didn't have that much peace and quiet when doing mine though! I was sweating by the time I was finished trying to keep up with them...

m_stan

cambo_gueno wrote: »

thanks for the link Mark - I didn't have that much peace and quiet when doing mine though! I was sweating by the time I was finished trying to keep up with them...

yeah that baby was incredibly patient while yer man arsed around wasnt he ?

I'd have spent all my time preparing in advance, and then handing the baby over to herself as soon as the shooting was done !

PaulieC

well I had two of them ! the missus had to keep them amused by standing behind me doing 'things' :eek: