Equipment help

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wildsam90

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Sam
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Recently bought -

3x YN560's
Cactus wireless trigger set
3 Lighting stands

Basicly i have't got a clue when it comes to this,
I would like some adaptors for my flashes to go onto my light stands seen thies > Click me Any comments on them?

Also thought having two soft boxes and a umbrella would be a good idea too,
Any comments on good sizes and makes would be great ,

Sorry to be such a newb :bang:

Thanks to any comments in advance

Ps Any links to ebay is good enough :)
 
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Hi Sam,

It really depends on you budget, but e-bay may get you rubbish and if so you will be loosing money. Good place to start is to look at companies like Lencarta for lighting equipment. You can start with just one softbox and a reflector and get some great results. Additional umbrellas will also help, but don't jump at everything too quickly, start slowly and build up as you gain experience.

Wireless triggers may help you, but are not essential. Look at the web sites and Google for for lighting videos to gain some more info.

Hope this helps. Good luck

Malcolm
 
The adaptor linked to is fairly comprehensive, and can be used to allow the speedlight to lay flat, which is great if you're using a parabolic umbrella. Not sure you would make use of that particular feature in any other way though. (It's the elbow piece at the back of the pic).
Don't get two identical softboxes, as you would benefit from the variation in size. A square 60x60 is great for headshots, whilst the second would be better if rectangular or octagonal. Ensure they have two diffuser panels, an internal an external one. As for makes, you'll need deep pokets if you wanted a recognised brand. With speedlights, the ebay boxes are fine, especially if you use a stofen type dome as well. Not to diffuse the light further, but to ensure the light is thoroughly thrown around the inside of the box before it exits via the two panels. This helps to reduce the incidence of a hot spot centrally.
 
Thanks for the replys guys,
Will try to look them up tomorrow and I'm fairly happy to spend 50+ ea if there worth it
 
I have those exact brackets. But without the L shaped bit. They work fine.

BTW lots of people here (including me) have bought from that seller and been very happy.
 
24" 60cm Hot Shoe Softbox Kit Yes all the way on that!

Can you get any larger than 60cm for flash use?
Just as i had a scan though ebay and i could't see any with the fitments.

Might me searching for the wrong thing? just thought i would't wanna go any smaller than 60?

Thanks
 
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Michael Sewell said:
There are 80cm square boxes about,but most are shipping from abroad.
Click to expand...

Sorry to be asking so much!

Would you really notice the diffrents?

I was thinking 60x60 softbox , octagan slightly larger for the eye reflection and lighting + umbrella

Feel free speak out if I'm pointless buying

Thanks
 
Be careful with using that umbrella adapter with the L-bracket, the thread at the to can snap off if you put even moderate pressure on them.

I'll qualify this by saying that is in my experience, using the components steaight from the factory, iirc that seller claims that he modifies the umbrella adapters by replacing the screw on each one he sells, and as I have no reason to doubt that he undertales this work I'd assume they are fine. I still wouldn't risk it with one of my flashes though ;)

With regard to the 80cm softboxes, JSCamerastore were still selling these, however a lot of people seem to have problems folding them back up for storage due to their sheer size, something to be considered if you're planning to use one on location.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
With regard to the 80cm softboxes, JSCamerastore were still selling these, however a lot of people seem to have problems folding them back up for storage due to their sheer size, something to be considered if you're planning to use one on location.
Click to expand...

erm................... and it isn't unusual for you to almost take your nose off when you open it for the first time too :gag:

The size will make a difference insofar as light softness is down to perceived light source size. an 80x80 will be softer than a 60x60 at the same distance. But the bigger box can also be the same perceived softness at a slightly greater distance too.

A larger octa will be good for catchlights, as you have mentioned.
 
Michael Sewell said:
erm................... and it isn't unusual for you to almost take your nose off when you open it for the first time too
Click to expand...

:lol:

There is that, although to be fair any of the similarly folded diffusers, refelctors and pop-up backgrounds will do the same :nuts:
 
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Michael Sewell said:
I think that's as good an adaptor as any other.
Good kit to get you going ;)
Click to expand...

The hotshoe is plastic and they break easily, I'd suggest spending a wee bit more and getting something better, one of the Manfrotto 026 clones or similar.

To the op you really want one of the ones in your link I could probably dig you one out for the price of the postage (I bought some to test but most broke), rather you than me though :nono:
 
Flash In The Pan said:
The hotshoe is plastic and they break easily, I'd suggest spending a wee bit more and getting something better, one of the Manfrotto 026 clones or similar.

To the op you really want one of the ones in your link I could probably dig you one out for the price of the postage (I bought some to test but most broke), rather you than me though :nono:
Click to expand...

I'm currently on my phone so can't look a manfrotto one up atmo, but of you can find one your happy to do cheap then i can always give it ago

Thanks
 
wildsam90 said:
I'm currently on my phone so can't look a manfrotto one up atmo, but of you can find one your happy to do cheap then i can always give it ago

Thanks
Click to expand...

Honestly, even for the £12 that one is on sale for there are far better ones available. I can't find any links atm to the other ones I use (in addition to the manfrotto/clones) but it is well built and comes with a metal clamp-type hotshoe, I'll see if I can find them
 
Flash In The Pan said:
The hotshoe is plastic and they break easily, I'd suggest spending a wee bit more and getting something better, one of the Manfrotto 026 clones or similar.

To the op you really want one of the ones in your link I could probably dig you one out for the price of the postage (I bought some to test but most broke), rather you than me though :nono:
Click to expand...

Hmmmm, hadn't spotted the plastic shoe. There's an identical one knocking about, but with a good metal version of the shoe.

My mistake.

One gust of wind behind a brolly will take the stand over, and chances are, the shoe will burst from the sudden leverage as the mass of the speedlight continues when the brolly stops the stand from hitting the ground.
 
Michael Sewell said:
Hmmmm, hadn't spotted the plastic shoe. There's an identical one knocking about, but with a good metal version of the shoe.

My mistake.

One gust of wind behind a brolly will take the stand over, and chances are, the shoe will burst from the sudden leverage as the mass of the speedlight continues when the brolly stops the stand from hitting the ground.
Click to expand...

I dropped one,without a flash attached, and the side snapped off, they're just junk.....
 
Flash In The Pan said:
I dropped one,without a flash attached, and the side snapped off, they're just junk.....
Click to expand...

Hmm! Hopefully have time later to search! Need to find things to wack on the old Xmas list ;)
 
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