Lighting Dilemma

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Kalibr8

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Currently I use to yongnuo 460 II via rf 602's one through a softbox and another with an umbrella for a lot of my portraits and shoots.

I am mobile so work out on location either in homes or away from power sources, however I have some jobs coming up that are based in schools etc but also some model shoots that are out and about!

I dont find the recycle time always that great on the 460's and the connections arent always that secure ie the hotshoe trigger slipslosing connectivity meaning i dont always get the flash triggered when i need it missing some shots.

I was considering going with a basic lencarta setup (which for my budget at the mo is all I can run to) howeverI was thinking last night maybe I should go for maybe a couple of lumopro lp160's instead or is there another option.

The kit I have been looking at is this one has anyone got any real life experience of it and can offer honest critique pro's and cons and also does anyone know if there is a way I could power them outside that will not cost the earth?
 
If you have to import the Lp160s from the states (I can't remember if they have a Uk/EU distributor) then they'll end up costing more than a pair of Nikon or Canon flashes and about 3x the price each of something like an old Sb26.

Once again I forget, but the LPs are produced by one of the Chinese factories that does stuff under their own name too and for much, much less than MPEX charge.
 
Cheers Graham, I hadn't found any uk suppliers via google so that answers that question! I had been thinking about a Canon 580EX II but figured I would need some pocket wizards or similar to trigger them and then cost starts to get prohibitive at the moment.
 
If you're shooting with the flashes in manual then the old Sb 24/25/26 Nikons are great.

The 26 has an optical slave too and all can be found for £50 or so secondhand. I've got three 26s and they've never let me down, the optical slave is handy if you're shooting indoors where there's line of sight, freeing up a trigger for use elsewhere.
 
Get the Lencartas. I can't believe you're thinking of going into a school with a couple of hot-shoe guns when there's mains power to be had.
 
To be fair that is what I had got this evening! I can keep my older kit for location stuff. Having gone through the web and reviews the twin smartflash kit seems to come out really well. I am wondering whether to go for the twin softbox option or save a few quid and get an umbrella? My thought is that get the softboxes as umbrellas are cheaper if needed (and I have one already!)
 
Kalibr8 said:
To be fair that is what I had got this evening! I can keep my older kit for location stuff. Having gone through the web and reviews the twin smartflash kit seems to come out really well. I am wondering whether to go for the twin softbox option or save a few quid and get an umbrella? My thought is that get the softboxes as umbrellas are cheaper if needed (and I have one already!)
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Non-folding softboxes are a PITA unless they are left permanently set up. Softboxes are great, but depending on what/how you work, a lot of the time umbrellas are just as good with very similar light, are very cheap, and so fast and easy to use. I like white reflective best, but each to their own.

Personally, I'd get brollies for starters - white, silver, shoot-through. Then save for a nice folding SB. Lencarta do good ones :thumbs:
 
I didn't realise they were non folding so thanks think it is the brollies then! What's an sb? Can't think what it is at all
 
Kalibr8 said:
I didn't realise they were non folding so thanks think it is the brollies then! What's an sb? Can't think what it is at all
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sb = softbox. The Lencarta ones that Richard mentioned are here
 
Kalibr8 said:
has anyone got any real life experience of it and can offer honest critique pro's and cons
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Yes. I reckon the Smartflash are possibly the best value flash you can buy (though check my signature). Have used a pair for ages now and they never let me down. Do you have specific questions?

Kalibr8 said:
does anyone know if there is a way I could power them outside that will not cost the earth?
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No. IMO the current battery packs on the market are too heavy and use the wrong technology. A Tronix Explorer (http://www.innovatronix.com/explorerXT.asp) should work but it costs c $400 and weights 18 pounds. That's quite a lot to carry far from the car.

I've used long extension leads in dry weather.
 
Cheers for that I had come to the same opinion through independant research (but Sig acknowledged!).

I am checking my diary to perhaps arrange to pop over the border to Bradford in November to try them out!

Re the power, figured that was the case!
 
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