PatrickHMS
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2008
- Messages
- 1,411
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- Location
- Metro Atlanta
- Website
- www.hmscoatings.com
- Can others edit my Photos
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I have decided to upgrade my off camera lighting. Use would mostly be for indoor work, and for some outdoor work where ambient light is lacking, use for fill, other creative uses, etc.
Have already started building the bracket (I saw this elsewhere on TPF) where I can mount 2x flashes on one bracket, and mount either a reflector or an umbrella with it, all on one tripod, and have two of them.
Wired control would be okay to start with, but eventually would like for this to be wireless. Would normally use mostly with a D90 or D200, but also have a D40 that I would like to be able to use this setup with.
For some time, for my eBay and Craigslist listings, I have been using 2x old Vintage Kodak movie light bars, each with 2 60W (can adjust as needed by changing bulbs) bulbs on each bar, each bar on one tripod, turn on, leave on, and take shots with adjusted WB, camera on a tabletop tripod.
My shots turn out well, bright and clear. Even macro shots look good done this way, even small details like mint marks on coins, or the tiny publication info for books are clear and legible, and the lights are not that hot when on for just a few minutes.
That got me to thinking about using 2x strobes on one tripod, then when I saw the post with the pic of the bracket - THAT was what I was looking for all along.
Don't plan to do that much portrait work, no interest at all in weddings (maybe some event work (I do video stuff for Churches using a HDD camcorder), but not that much), but I do need this new setup for some low light work such as in museum settings and lighting.
I also do some automotive or motorcycle type shots with staged setting.
Already have a pair of Nikon SB-400's, and one SB-600. Also have a pair of Vivitar 283's and a Vivitar 285HV that I have accumulated over the years.
Since I don't have 4 of any one flash, but I do have enough to trade up or down to get 4x of something...
Just wondering, if, for the money, if the Nikon Speedlights are THAT much better than say 2x Vivitar 285HV's on one bracket, done twice.
Might start with the 285's, get them working right, tweak everything, then upgrade to the Nikon Speedlights later if I decide to do that.
What could I do with the Nikon strobes that I could not do with the Vivitar 285HV ??? And whatever it is, I am wondering if it is worth the extra $$?
Thanks for any input you could share with me.
Have already started building the bracket (I saw this elsewhere on TPF) where I can mount 2x flashes on one bracket, and mount either a reflector or an umbrella with it, all on one tripod, and have two of them.
Wired control would be okay to start with, but eventually would like for this to be wireless. Would normally use mostly with a D90 or D200, but also have a D40 that I would like to be able to use this setup with.
For some time, for my eBay and Craigslist listings, I have been using 2x old Vintage Kodak movie light bars, each with 2 60W (can adjust as needed by changing bulbs) bulbs on each bar, each bar on one tripod, turn on, leave on, and take shots with adjusted WB, camera on a tabletop tripod.
My shots turn out well, bright and clear. Even macro shots look good done this way, even small details like mint marks on coins, or the tiny publication info for books are clear and legible, and the lights are not that hot when on for just a few minutes.
That got me to thinking about using 2x strobes on one tripod, then when I saw the post with the pic of the bracket - THAT was what I was looking for all along.
Don't plan to do that much portrait work, no interest at all in weddings (maybe some event work (I do video stuff for Churches using a HDD camcorder), but not that much), but I do need this new setup for some low light work such as in museum settings and lighting.
I also do some automotive or motorcycle type shots with staged setting.
Already have a pair of Nikon SB-400's, and one SB-600. Also have a pair of Vivitar 283's and a Vivitar 285HV that I have accumulated over the years.
Since I don't have 4 of any one flash, but I do have enough to trade up or down to get 4x of something...
Just wondering, if, for the money, if the Nikon Speedlights are THAT much better than say 2x Vivitar 285HV's on one bracket, done twice.
Might start with the 285's, get them working right, tweak everything, then upgrade to the Nikon Speedlights later if I decide to do that.
What could I do with the Nikon strobes that I could not do with the Vivitar 285HV ??? And whatever it is, I am wondering if it is worth the extra $$?
Thanks for any input you could share with me.