Considering Lencarta Smartflash

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I currently have a YN56 III and trigger using a YN560TX. After some extensive searches on here, I am considering/debating the Lencarta Smartflash. Just the one for now to practice with. It would be for portraits again (indoors only). What I am wondering is whether I am jumping the gun to consider this. And a question of how (if possible) I could use both the Yongnuo and Smartflash together - i.e. what trigger(s) I would need or whether I could trigger optically using the YN.

I also need a recommendation for a softbox that doesn't need folding to put away. I had one of those and after struggling to put it away several (every) times, I actually bent one of the sides.





TIA.
 

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If your Yongnuo hotshoe flash has a sync port then you can plug a radio receiver into it, and an identical one into the SmartFlash, problem solved.
If not, then the SmartFlash has a slave cell, and it can be set to either S.1 (will flash in response to every flash) or S.2 (will ignore pre-flash fired by hotshoe flashgun) so that will work too.

Properly designed and properly made sofboxes aren't hard to put up/take down, and won't drop to bits when you try, but of course the ProFold ones are easier/better and also produce a better quality of light, so it depends really on your budget.
 
Beware of cheap deals on such as softboxes at places like The Photography Show.

The well known names such as Elinchrom/Bowens/Profoto are no problem but are more pricey than the likes of Lencarta/Bissel, but I have bought other stuff at shows from pushy salesmen in the past and they have fallen to bits, ripped or simply had bits missing and I would now only trust a well recognised name.

So have a plan of action before going to the show and decide what you are going to get.

Unbelieveable offers are often just that and simply not worth it.
 
Thanks for the replies. Garry, the YN has a sync port. In that case which receiver would I be able to use? Sorry for so many questions. If I can fire by S2 then can stick to that in the meantime, and use the 560TX for the Yongnuo flash?
The softbox has lasted me a couple of years, but was a hassle putting away (it's a pop up).

Ian thanks for the heads up. Unfortunately I can't make it to the Photography show.

Another question, is there a difference between a softbox and octabox apart from the catchlight shape? And would 60x60 still be a good size?
 
Any radio trigger will do the job, the Yongnuo ones are as good as any at the budget end, get them via Ebay or Amazon, dealers won't sell their products. For example - but I see that the all important little cable that plugs into the flash head isn't included, so either keep looking or buy the 2 cables that you'll need separately.

And octobox IS a softbox, it just has an octagonal shape. There isn't really any difference between any shape of softbox that has the same design and area, other than the shape of the catchlights, which is just a matter of personal preference. But, octa softboxes can't really be used to create a graduated light on the background, square and rectangular ones can.

60 x 60 is a popular size, not big enough if you want the light to be really soft, but still very useful for single headshots.

I echo what Ian says. I've noticed that another firm has just introduced a new range of very average softboxes at ridiculously high prices, if I was the cynical type I might wonder whether they plan to sell them at the show at half price, which will still be more than they're worth:)
 
MFlip said:
Although I fully respect your approach given your position, damn it you're a tease! :)
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It seems I was wrong - they've already started offering them at half price:)
 
MFlip said:
Ah, so now I think I've worked out where to go and look at some average softboxes before I come and place an order for some decent stuff.
Click to expand...
:)
 
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