Flash/Lighting for a D5300?

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JayGeeLoL

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James
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I've been stuggling with what lighting to purchase for my D5300. I understand that it does not support TTL. I plan on using it for indoor portraits and product photography. What do I buy? and why? What works for what I have? What lighting setup should I get for a relatively low price (£200 or less)? I understand I won't be getting a full studio setup going at that price of course but what can I get that will be good for what I want to use it for?

Thanks in advance.
 
Hi James. The D5300 will do TTL flash - either using the pop-up in auto mode, or using Nikon CLS compatible flash units. It does not support using the pop-up as a flash commander though, so for remote TTL you'll need either a CLS master capable flash mounted on the camera or a dedicated TTL controller like the old Nikon SU-800, or a 3rd party radio system like the Yongnuo YN622 or Godox X1-T I use the Yongnuo 622 system for my Nikon cameras and SB900 flashes and it works well, however the Godox family is much more integrated - their big flashes use the same radio system. If I was buying small flash today, I'd go for the Godox system.

The Godox TT685-N http://flashhavoc.com/godox-tt685n-ttl-speedlight-released/ is probably the best all-round 3rd party speed-light for Nikon today coupled with their X1T-N radio controller and trigger, as the same trigger will operate the rest of the Godox range. I like this deal I found on ebay for 2 TT685 plus an X1T-N trigger and 2 Bowens S compatible mounts (a nice robust way of supporting a flash on a light stand with the added bonus of enabling use of S-Fit modifiers):-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-2-Godo...084347&hash=item3ad299e119:g:OoQAAOSw4GVYLqN4

It is also available with with a proprietary Lithium battery as the V860-IIN. This will no doubt last longer than a set of NiMh rechargeable batteries and will recycle faster, however it is a proprietary battery, and yet another charger. This version also loses the external power connector (for really fast recycle times), and is about 50% more expensive than the TT685.

Now of course you don't *need* TTL for indoor, controlled portraits and product shots - but it's nice to have for other use cases. You'll also need some stands, and I'd recommend a small softbox like this one:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Neewer-24...055008&hash=item2caa3475e5:g:E~IAAOSw2gxYz4IM

and maybe a shoot-through and reflective brolly
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Photo-Stu...002881?hash=item2cbfc64441:g:ZF4AAOSwxg5Xzo1a
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/85cm-Umbr...146868?hash=item5b39775934:g:r5UAAOSw42dZNUUj

and a pop-up reflector. I like these Lencarta ones with a handle that also have a standard screw thread for a lighting spigot (so you can mount it directly to a light stand):-
https://www.lencarta.com/56cm-redline-pro-handheld-folding-reflector
 
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There's nothing to add to Owen's post.

But I will reiterate, your camera will do TTL fine, and whilst I'd always advise a first flash should be TTL capable, you really don't need TTL in a studio environment (in fact Manual will be easier and more reliable)
 
Thanks very much guys. Thanks very much for supplying me with links Scooter! That bundle looks ideal! I just want to confirm that the bundle will definitely work with my d5300?? Thanks again!
 
JayGeeLoL said:
Thanks very much guys. Thanks very much for supplying me with links Scooter! That bundle looks ideal! I just want to confirm that the bundle will definitely work with my d5300?? Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Yes, that will all work with your D5300. The camera itself is fully TTL capable, it's just that the pop-up is not enabled as a master/commander unit on entry-level Nikons for controlling remote flash units. But you don't want that anyway as it uses an optical system that's less reliable than radio such as the Godox X1-T.

While everyone needs a decent speedlite flashgun (they're just so useful) they're not the best choice for studio work. Lots of threads on this if you have a search down this forum, but a mains powered studio head will give you a) a bright modelling lamp so you can see what the light is doing, b) they recycle much faster which is important even for basic portraits, c) they have more power when you need it, and d) they work better with studio light modifiers (softboxes etc) that fit straight on with no adapter necessary. Not expensive either, starting a bit over £100 for a Lencarta Smartflash-III - it's a rebranded Godox so works with the same trigger, using a little plug-in receiver (£15). As Phil says, you don't need or want TTL for studio work. You can use speedlites with studio heads, and they work well as a background light, or a hair or accent light, once you've found your feet.

Then you need a modifier, such as a white umbrella or softbox. I'm a fan of umbrellas as they're so cheap and easy, take up less floor space, and give great light that's basically the same as a softbox. The cheaper softboxes that you have to assemble each time are a right PITA - go for a push-up umbrella type (eg Lencarta Profold) that are well worth a little extra cost. Then you need a reflector, eg white/silver, and a stand, then you're good to go.

One light (plus reflector) is all you need to get started with portraits. Very often, less is more. It's also a good starting point for product photography, though that varies greatly from basic white background stuff for ebay etc (light tents are cheap and easy for this) to complex sets for high-end work. Whatever you do though, learning and knowledge is key, understanding how light works - much more important than kit :)
 
Thanks HoppyUK! Very useful. I completely agree that the kit doesn't make the photographer, however without the lighting then it's very difficult to learn on a practical level. The use of flash is not exclusive to a set studio so I 100% think I should get a flashgun before investing in a proper studio setup.
 
Scooter said:
The Godox TT685-N http://flashhavoc.com/godox-tt685n-ttl-speedlight-released/ is probably the best all-round 3rd party speed-light for Nikon today coupled with their X1T-N radio controller and trigger, as the same trigger will operate the rest of the Godox range. I like this deal I found on ebay for 2 TT685 plus an X1T-N trigger and 2 Bowens S compatible mounts (a nice robust way of supporting a flash on a light stand with the added bonus of enabling use of S-Fit modifiers):-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-2-Godo...084347&hash=item3ad299e119:g:OoQAAOSw4GVYLqN4
Click to expand...
What are your thoughts on this? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yongnuo-Y...6&hash=item41a2015601:g:tOIAAOSwojRYS7bx#rwid
Obviously batteries are needed but it cuts the cost in half of the ones you recommended? Are they any good?
 
You can buy the Godox as a single unit for a touch more than the Yongnu you listed, with the advantage that this is UK stock, rather than having to be shipped from China

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-Godox-...90dd688&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=252641403161

Yongnuo are nice units (I have a 560-II myself, which is an older manual only model, and it works flawlessly) - but if I was buying now I'd go for the Godox every time, as they have the whole range from flashguns to mains studio lights, to portable battery pack studio style lights (with TTL) - and the XT1 controller will trigger them all, or any combination of their units they have.
NB: The Godox also comes with the S-Fit bracket, another piece of kit I wish had been commonly available when I bought my flashgun!
 
Faldrax said:
You can buy the Godox as a single unit for a touch more than the Yongnu you listed, with the advantage that this is UK stock, rather than having to be shipped from China

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-Godox-TT685N-2-4G-HSS-TTL-Camera-Flash-X1T-N-Trigger-for-Nikon-Bowens-Bracket/262723965493?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid=555018&algo=PL.SIM&ao=2&asc=20140122125356&meid=1fa3022c360b4b78a09656f8790dd688&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=252641403161

Yongnuo are nice units (I have a 560-II myself, which is an older manual only model, and it works flawlessly) - but if I was buying now I'd go for the Godox every time, as they have the whole range from flashguns to mains studio lights, to portable battery pack studio style lights (with TTL) - and the XT1 controller will trigger them all, or any combination of their units they have.
NB: The Godox also comes with the S-Fit bracket, another piece of kit I wish had been commonly available when I bought my flashgun!
Click to expand...
Thank you very much mate. It does look to be the better option. Especially with it being from the UK rather than abroad.
 
This is the same but Godox (more future proof) and with a bracket

cross posted with James
 
Phil V said:
This is the same but Godox (more future proof) and with a bracket

cross posted with James
Click to expand...
Does it have everything I need to get me started or are there any additional products I'd need to buy besides reflectors and umbrellas and what not
 
JayGeeLoL said:
Does it have everything I need to get me started or are there any additional products I'd need to buy besides reflectors and umbrellas and what not
Click to expand...
reflectors, brollies, a stand, batteries and a charger.
 
I went with the Godox TT685 and the X1 trigger. Now ive got 2 TT685 and an AD360 planning to a unit or two more, which are not decided yet. Godox may be a tad more expensive but you get the option of more powerfull units and studiostrobes so you just add to your kit instead building another when needing more than speedlights.
 
I have the yongnuo set that @Phil V linked to, it does everything I use it for. I rarely use ttl just because I really only use it indoors for still life, tabletop type of thing. But if I was buying again I would probably go for the Godox system, because like @Faldrax said they are a UK supplier. I did have a problem with my yongnuo, it would keep on saying "hot" in the display and wouldn't fire (even if I'd just turned it on). I have now fixed this, it was a loose cable ribbon in the head.
 
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