Lightstand and other bit help

anda

anda

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Hi everyone,

And its me with my questions again :( what would i do without this forum. I want to start learning using off camera flash. I have 2 speedlights at the moment, so need one to be put on a stand to start off as I will be using the other one as a master.

I am looking for something good that could hold the speedlight for now, but if I decide to go with studio lights later it should take that as well. So if it is bit bulky i dont mind. ofcourse the lighter it is the better. My budget is not massive but for a good thing money can always be found i suppose.

So what I need is a stand with an umbrella or a softbox (not sure if speedlights have enough power for a softbox) and all the bits that are needed to have one complete set up.

Hope someone can help out. Much appreciated.
 
Calumet do a cheap stand (About £19) but look also at dj light stands as they come up cheap and are probably stronger than cheapo photo jobs!
 
Anda - get 2 stands and a set of triggers. Using 1 flash as master on camera is a waste of a perfectly good lightsource :) Style of stands depend on if you want to carry it around or only use it at home, nearby. If home only, just get any cheapie. If you want to carry it around, you want the equivalent of manfrotto nano stands, which fold in very compact, and easy to carry with your gear.

Your flashes will power little softbox "enough" for head and shoulder - look for Westcott Apollo, Lastolite Ezybox or similar. There are loads on Ebay, too. I say "enough" because it's like "how long is a piece of string". Softboxes tend to have a less of a spill compared to umbrellas, but speedlight optimised boxes tend to be more expensive, and takes more to power. So it's a trade off. Most photographers tend to get both, and decide what they prefer as they go on.
 
Well I think I will be using them inside and outside.. What cheap triggers are there which are worth while? i know PW but they are abit ott at the moment. Althou i would like to get them :P

Did you have these in mind? Manfrotto 5001B Nano
I am jsut wodnering if I could use studio lights on them after if i need to and if it would work. Or would i need to buy new set of stands if i decide to purchase studio lights?

Thanks
 
Horses for courses with everything. Get a separate set of lights for mono heads. Nanos will be too flimsy.

Triggers - get Yongnuo RF602s. Cheap and in my experience, 100% reliable - and I shoot a lot, often. Can't praise it enough for the price. I carry a couple of spares just in case, and even with spares, still a fraction of single pair of PW plus II.

With these, you will learn manual flash, and that will stop you being lazy in understanding lighting. TTL is all good and well but only after you know how light and camera exposure works.

Enjoy :)
 
Ok purchased some Yongnuo :) now need the stands shall i buy the manfrotto set of holders for flash and umbrella? or is there cheaper alternative?
 
There are loads of makes of umbrella adaptors with cold shoes fitted, calumet and ebay are often the best places for them, but lastolite and and the "chinese" do them as well.
 
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