Looking for some advice - Interfit strobes vs flashes

[JohnN]

Hi,

I am a strict amateur and currently own the interfit three head kit and it really is a good kit, however I don't have a studio or spare room, on top of that I have two small kids who I worry would knock the lights down if I left them up (they haven't yet but then I've very careful with all my kit).

So given that the set up time (gathering up the stuff, clearing space, assembling etc etc) is my major stumbling block would I be better of with normal flashes?

If so what would you suggest - I currently have a Nissin Di866 MkII and a Yonguno flash (I forget the model) and but they don't seem to play that well together - I also have a Yunguno RC-602 to trigger them.

Thanks.

 

[Garry Edwards]

Whether or not that would be a good decision for you will depend largely on the use that you make of your lighting kit - or the use that you will make of it in the future.

Studio lights can create stunning effects easily, used with the right modifiers, knowledge and creativity. Some people will argue that 'ordinary flashes' can do the same, but even if they're actually right, it's a far more difficult process with hotshoe flashguns.

So, if you want to learn how to light well, and if you're going to make your lights work hard, you should keep them.

But if your ambitions are limited to umbrellas and softboxes placed where they don't get in your way and just provide quantity of light rather than quality and if you're happy with the results when you turn up the ISO to get more power - well, hotshoe flashes can meet your needs.

 

[JohnN]

Lol, I almost feel insulted

I know its not how it was meant to come across though. If I'm honest I'm not that creative and would never in all likelihood put in the time to get that good, all I really want it for is to get the occasional really nice portrait shot of the wife and kids.

Now don't get me wrong I appreciate what others do and love the results but I just don't ever see me getting a portable psu and dragging it halfway up a mountain to get "that" shot.

My aspersions currently extended as far as making sure an insect in flight is captured and well lit, or that the water splash is back lit.

 

[Garry Edwards]

In that case, hotshoe flashes are probably your best choice.

 

[HoppyUK]

Sorry if I've read it wrong, but if the problem is the hassle of getting everything set up, shifting things around and then packing it all away again, I don't see how hot-shoe guns are going to help.

If you want nice shots of the wife and kids etc, then you'll need lights with decent modifiers, on stands, whatever you do - and that's where all the hassle is. And you'd certainly miss the benefit of modelling lights going the hot-shoe route, not to mention slow recycle times at the power levels you'd have to run them at.

My advice would be to simplify everything, and just use one light, with a brolly, and a reflector. It doesn't get much easier than that and you can do a heck of a lot with one light.

I suggest brollies because the light is good, plus they're really cheap, very fast to put up/down, and take up less space than most softboxes in use, and pack away to nothing. Get a shoot-through for really soft light, a white one for soft light with a bit more control, and a sliver one for a slightly harder effect, with the reflector as and when.

Basic portraiture doesn't get any easier than that, and, if you take a little time to build some knowledge and experience, not much better either.