Selling up studio flashes and moving to speedlights

[bass_junkie83]

This is something I am considering doing.

I currently have a three light setup, entry level 200W lencarta stuff, a couple of 60cm soft boxes and other assorted modifiers. The only time it comes out these days is if I am taking photos of my daughter, which over the last year since she was born has been just four times and that's likely to become less frequent. The rest of the time it sits there taking up a whole lot of space.

So I am wondering, what is possible with speed lights these days? What is available in terms of modifiers?

I'll be happy to see any example images from anyone who does use speed lights that think they might sell it to me.

 

[Phil V]

This is something I am considering doing.

I currently have a three light setup, entry level 200W lencarta stuff, a couple of 60cm soft boxes and other assorted modifiers. The only time it comes out these days is if I am taking photos of my daughter, which over the last year since she was born has been just four times and that's likely to become less frequent. The rest of the time it sits there taking up a whole lot of space.

So I am wondering, what is possible with speed lights these days? What is available in terms of modifiers?

I'll be happy to see any example images from anyone who does use speed lights that think they might sell it to me.

I'll be blunt.

To create the same light you'll still want softboxes and stands, the space saving is just the difference between a small studio head and a large flashgun, frankly IMHO it's not worth the effort.

 

[bass_junkie83]

By space saving I mean when packed up and not in use, I don't expect to create miracles with small lights and tiny modifiers. Speed lights would also be more useful as I am much more likely to use it out and about rather than in a studio setting.

 

[Garry Edwards]

Hotshoe flashguns do some things that studio flash can't, and vice versa.
My advice is to keep your studio lighting kit and to add a couple of cheap and cheerful hotshoe flashguns

 

[Toxic]

I used to use my Godox as a location kit, 2 x AD360's & 2 x V850's but now find I use them in the studio more often and hardly ever use my Bowens kit, I do use the Bowens modifiers via a Godox adaptor and I am well happy with the results I get.

Very practical too with no trailing power leads for models to trip over..

 

[Phil V]

By space saving I mean when packed up and not in use, I don't expect to create miracles with small lights and tiny modifiers. Speed lights would also be more useful as I am much more likely to use it out and about rather than in a studio setting.

I meant when packed up.

The only saving is the power cables and a little from the heads.

I can't comment on the portability issue, because I started with speedlights, then portable flash, then studio flash. So I've always had the choice.

But like Garry says, no need to get rid of anything, speedlights are cheap.

 

[HoppyUK]

You can do anything with speedlites, and some people do - with excellent results.

But in situations that suit studio lights, with stands and softboxes, and mains power to hand, you will miss a modelling light, fast recycle, and extra power when needed. I use both studio lights and speedlites according to situation. I sometimes use them together, or gang the speedlites* to boost power and/or cut recycle time, but that's a right faff and only when there's no mains power.

*Two, three or four together, usually with this excellent Godox adapter (also available with a handy fold-away 80cm softbox) and four-gun holder:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Multifunct...7_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2VFS4GBNVCADVB3VXJYX
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-...46778&sr=1-6&keywords=godox+speedlite+adapter

To save storage space, change to easy-folding softboxes (eg Lencarta Profold) or the often under-rated umbrella. Another easy way to get good informal portraits, is to forget the softboxes and learn to bounce speedlites off ceilings and walls, and balance to ambient with shutter speed.

 

[Livin The Dream]

You can do anything with speedlites, and some people do - with excellent results.

But in situations that suit studio lights, with stands and softboxes, and mains power to hand, you will miss a modelling light, fast recycle, and extra power when needed. I use both studio lights and speedlites according to situation. I sometimes use them together, or gang the speedlites* to boost power and/or cut recycle time, but that's a right faff and only when there's no mains power.

*Two, three or four together, usually with this excellent Godox adapter (also available with a handy fold-away 80cm softbox) and four-gun holder:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Multifunct...7_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2VFS4GBNVCADVB3VXJYX
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-...46778&sr=1-6&keywords=godox+speedlite+adapter

To save storage space, change to easy-folding softboxes (eg Lencarta Profold) or the often under-rated umbrella. Another easy way to get good informal portraits, is to forget the softboxes and learn to bounce speedlites off ceilings and walls, and balance to ambient with shutter speed.

Sorry to hijack...

So do the multiple flashes sit inside the softbox Richard in the Godox setup? I have two Godox TT585's and wondered whether I could use my ezybox with two flashes?

 

[HoppyUK]

Sorry to hijack...

So do the multiple flashes sit inside the softbox Richard in the Godox setup? I have two Godox TT585's and wondered whether I could use my ezybox with two flashes?

Yes, they sit inside, but there are a lot of different Eyzboxes so you'd need to offer them up and see what you've got. With that adapter rod, four guns will just fit inside the Godox 80cm square softboxes (that are actually a lot smaller than 80cm). Maximise room inside by rotating the softbox so the guns sit towards the corners. Guns with separate triggers attached may or may not fit. With four guns completely enclosed, remote control is very handy!

I prefer this Godox 80cm reverse-firing octa though - you can bounce them off the back but I angle them forward to bounce off the sides towards the front for max brightness https://www.amazon.co.uk/Andoer®-Portable-Umbrella-Reflector-Speedlight/dp/B00VJFHRE2/ref=pd_sim_421_21?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=QVV26QFHW9KZNR8H14X3 With those though, you really need an extra angle arm, eg https://www.amazon.co.uk/Phottix-PH87520-16-Inch-Multi-Boom/dp/B00CDPFMJO?th=1 to get sufficient tilt. I use a rather cheaper DIY version.

 

[Livin The Dream]

Yes, they sit inside, but there are a lot of different Eyzboxes so you'd need to offer them up and see what you've got. With that adapter rod, four guns will just fit inside the Godox 80cm square softboxes (that are actually a lot smaller than 80cm). Maximise room inside by rotating the softbox so the guns sit towards the corners. Guns with separate triggers attached may or may not fit. With four guns completely enclosed, remote control is very handy!

I prefer this Godox 80cm reverse-firing octa though - you can bounce them off the back but I angle them forward to bounce off the sides towards the front for max brightness https://www.amazon.co.uk/Andoer®-Portable-Umbrella-Reflector-Speedlight/dp/B00VJFHRE2/ref=pd_sim_421_21?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=QVV26QFHW9KZNR8H14X3 With those though, you really need an extra angle arm, eg https://www.amazon.co.uk/Phottix-PH87520-16-Inch-Multi-Boom/dp/B00CDPFMJO?th=1 to get sufficient tilt. I use a rather cheaper DIY version.

Thanks Richard I'll check those out.

 

[cambsno]

Been thinking the same myself. Rarely use my Lencarta lights as often don't have the space to use them. Most shoots are in customers homes, and in a typical size house with all the associated junk, sofas etc... mean that its very hard trying to setup a backdrop and lights. Where possible (big rooms) I do but am getting decent results bouncing flash (usually 2 SB900s). In fact, when I do use them its normally with the hilite so not actualy using them to light people! I don't do anything creative, just nice light which i find i get from bouncing.

 

[metroman]

Hotshoe flashguns do some things that studio flash can't, and vice versa.
My advice is to keep your studio lighting kit and to add a couple of cheap and cheerful hotshoe flashguns

That's the best advice. I use almost exclusively SB-800's but having the option of studio flash for those occasions when fast recycling is required is very handy.

 

[Livin The Dream]

I've just bought a couple of the godox flashes and must say that for the money, they are awesome. Keep the studio heads handy to have just in case.