Need another flashgun for architectural shoots

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charlottemarie_15

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Hey,
Had some great feedback on a recent shoot I did, and now I have the chance to photograph some more show homes (this time furnished!) for my portfolio- I've now gone back and researched flash much more, guide numbers, flash zoom, manual control etc- but I really think I could do with another flashgun to help light corridors and larger rooms.

So far I have a Nissin Di622 Mark II that I fire by using the pre-flash fire of my Nikon D90- I'd ideally like a more pro flash, and I'd like a dedicated Nikon one, but I'm not sure my budget will stretch to a SB900.

Any suggestions?

It needs to be all able to fire off camera as slaves as I can't afford a trigger system yet!

I'm also definately looking at a gel set and an umbrella also.
 
A set of triggers will only cost you £30 or so, but if you're mainly doing interior work then something that works with CLS (so you can adjust the output from your D90) would be the best bet.

Perhaps sell the Di622 and add the money from that to your budget and go for a couple of used SB600s instead?
 
Well I'd rather not sell as I've only just bought it- but would you recommend two SB600's over my Nissin and one SB600?

And £30 seems in in my budget for triggers- is it just an ebay search to find something like that? (Still new to triggers- I presume I'm looking for a trigger to sit on my hot shoe, and 2 recievers for both the flashes?)
 
charlottemarie_15 said:
Well I'd rather not sell as I've only just bought it- but would you recommend two SB600's over my Nissin and one SB600?

And £30 seems in in my budget for triggers- is it just an ebay search to find something like that? (Still new to triggers- I presume I'm looking for a trigger to sit on my hot shoe, and 2 recievers for both the flashes?)
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If you're planning to use triggers then a set of RF602 or 603 and another Di622 would do the job. Make sure you buy them from a seller that will do returns though, as the Nissin (mainly the older version) doesn't always work with triggers.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
If you're planning to use triggers then a set of RF602 or 603 and another Di622 would do the job. Make sure you buy them from a seller that will do returns though, as the Nissin (mainly the older version) doesn't always work with triggers.
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^^^ Sounds like a plan :) RF-602 from Amazon.

If you have the budget, consider getting a better flash (either a Nikon, or Nissin Di866 or Metz 50 AF-1) because they do high speed sync (FP sync) which you will surely find very useful for other stuff, mainly fill-in flash outdoors. Otherwise there's not much benefit over getting another Nissin like you have.

If cash is tight, do what I suggested on your other thread and get a cheapy Yongnuo gun and save a bundle. Don't let the price put you off - they're good, and amazing value.

Drop the pre-flash triggering and go full manual with the RF-602. i-TTL is great when you need all its auto-trickery, mainly when you need to set up fast and get it right first time, but that shouldn't be an issue with the sort of work you're doing, with careful setting up of remote guns.

The upside is radio triggers have great range and are not affected by high ambient light. If you get a shaft of sunlight on one of the slaves using i-TTL tiggering, you'll be snookered. You can hide them anywhere, behind chairs and curtains or whatever, and they will always fire. It will expand your creative options a lot.
 
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charlottemarie_15 said:
So would you suggest something like this?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/RF-602-Wireless-control-Trigger-Receivers/dp/B002SFTN80/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305698918&sr=8-1

I presume there I have the remote, one trigger and one reciever? Could I fire the other flash as a slave from the triggered one?

I presume the triggers sit on the bottom of the flashguns and still allow them to go on light stands etc?
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In that link you have one trigger and two receivers. The receivers have a foot that can either be slid into a coldshoe on an umbrella adapter or they can be attached directly to the adapter or a lightstand using the threaded fitment on the underside.
 
Can't fault my sb-600 atall. True workhorse. I prefer to stay within the family so would suggest to keep to one brand. Even of it's just so You only have to learn one flash system.
You can pick up cactus triggers relatively cheaply and the new ones are very reliable. Could push you creatively with regards light positioning over the slave setup you are using. If on a budget have you thought about picking up some sb-28's off eBay? Or do you want to buy new?
 
charlottemarie_15 said:
So would you suggest something like this?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/RF-602-Wireless-control-Trigger-Receivers/dp/B002SFTN80/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305698918&sr=8-1

I presume there I have the remote, one trigger and one reciever? Could I fire the other flash as a slave from the triggered one?

I presume the triggers sit on the bottom of the flashguns and still allow them to go on light stands etc?
Click to expand...

Close, but they're for Canon. These are for Nikon https://www.amazon.co.uk/RF-602-Wir...9?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1305723544&sr=1-9

You have a full set of cables there, so you can plug the transmitter into a PC sync socket (Nikon D90 doesn't have one though, I think) or use it as a remote trigger (to fire the camera) or to trigger studio heads.

Yes, you can still use your stands, though mine are a little lose and I've stuck a bit of tape on the botton for a tighter fit. Or the foot is threaded underneath to screw to a stand/tripod.
 
Ha, I need to learn to read!

Thanks for the advice on triggers, just looking around on ebay now :)

As for flash then, my options are used SB800 or SB600, or a new Nissin Di866- bearing in mind I'm slowly trying to go pro over the next year or so...

What would you guys get with a budget of under £200?
 
charlottemarie_15 said:
Ha, I need to learn to read!

Thanks for the advice on triggers, just looking around on ebay now :)

As for flash then, my options are used SB800 or SB600, or a new Nissin Di866- bearing in mind I'm slowly trying to go pro over the next year or so...

What would you guys get with a budget of under £200?
Click to expand...

If you want to use CLS go for a used SB800, however if you're happy enough with manual flashes take a look at the old Nikon SB26, it has a built-in optical slave, far better build quality than the Nissin and your £200 would buy you three of them and a set of triggers......
 
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