Flashpioint 320M

matt62485 · Jun 20, 2012

what would you recommend then? I'm really wanting to keep the price point <~$500. yea, i know... helluva budget :blushing: but for <$400 the flashpoint kit seems like it'd fit the bill for now. i can always add a more power unit to the duo later on though. unless you can point me in the right direction for something within +/- $100 from this kit, i think i'ma stick with it to get me by for our newborn shots

im gonna get a few reflectors and do my best to use natural lighting as much as possible, but still wanna tinker around with a light setup since it'll be 100% new to me. i'm gonna buy some cheap speedlights/wireless kit and tinker with them for outdoor stuff too.

unpopular · Jun 21, 2012

When I first got my kit, I thought I absolutely had to have two lights. I found that two lights were really pretty hard to learn with.

I'd start with one 300w/s light, perhaps like this one:

Flashpoint DG600 300 w/s Monolight, Blue FP600DG

Get an umbrella, but better yet, a reflector (or make one). Get a good boom stand. You'll learn a lot more with one light than with two.

matt62485 · Jun 21, 2012

forgive me for my ignorance but what is the main difference of the blue dg600 vs a 620m? also, have an umbrella/softbox/stand recommendation from your experiences? thanks for your help, i appreciate it.

matt62485 · Jun 21, 2012

thoughts?

http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=WishList

Village Idiot · Jun 21, 2012

unpopular said:
150ws is pretty weak. I really think you ought to reconsider. Any diffusion will spread that 150w/s discharge out over a larger area. Having at least one 300-600+w/s light for diffusion might be a good idea.

It depends on the use.

unpopular said:
I'd say just get one 300 and one 150, or two 300's.

150 would prob work OK, but you don't want to limit yourself too much. It'd better to use a flash at half power so that you have some latitude.

I was using a B800, which was 320w/s and generally had it cranked to the lowest setting most of the time because it was too powerful for shooting inside.

If you're competing the sun, then you'll definitely want a bigger ligth. The person I was replying to once to shoot his kid, so unless he's photographing the new born outside, 150w/s will be plenty. I shoot on locations and often times outside, that's why I use a pack an head system with 800w/s + packs.

unpopular · Jun 21, 2012

^^ yeah, that's true, but the OP was asking about diffusion, which, as I am sure you know, greatly decreases the amount of light relative to area.

While I agree that I often find my 300C's too powerful, it makes more sense to use an ND gel than to intentionally under-power your source. I'm a big proponent of over engineering whenever the budget permits it. Having two 150's will, in the long run, limit the OP's options.

matt62485 · Jun 21, 2012

thanks guys. when i get to work ill post the list i had set up and see what yall think

matt62485 · Jun 21, 2012

here's what i came up with, thoughts?

flashpoint dg600 300w/s

Flashpoint DG600 300 w/s Monolight, Blue FP600DG

battery pack

Flashpoint DG Battery Pack and Charger f/ DG Monolights Blue light

60" flashpoint umbrella white int. removable black cover

Adorama 60in Interior Umbrella, Removable Cover, White U60BC

42" gold/white reflector collasable

Adorama 42" Circular Collapsible Disc Reflector, Gold / White #CFR42G CFR42G

2x 7.2' light stand

Flashpoint 7.2' Air Cushioned Black 3-Section Lightstand FT2600B

flashpoint reflector bracket

Flashpoint Portable Reflector Bracket, 12-67" 470H03

unpopular · Jun 21, 2012

Matt- that is more than a good starting point, IMO. Unless the pros here have any other advice, I think you'll be off to a solid start.

matt62485 · Jun 22, 2012

thanks for the help! ordered everything i listed plus a yongnou wireless trigger kit off ebay (cheap but itll get me by). gonna tinker with the wireless and my sunpak some, may order a yongou yn-560 to play with as well for on the fly stuff when i done haul the monolight around

Mach0 · Jun 22, 2012

Their flashpoint 620 model has gotten the same score review but many more times and is 10 bucks cheaper. I would consider it. I have the 320 model and it's good for indoor use.

Edit---/
I see you've ordered already. Good luck and dont forget to post what you think of it.

Sent from my iPhone using PhotoForum

unpopular · Jun 22, 2012

^^ I'd second that. If you end up not liking the DG600, I'd exchange it with the 620M. This is the same light I have, only with DC operation.

I couldn't find it when I was looking for suggestions.

Mike_E · Jun 22, 2012

Can you send it back?

I hate to be a drag but that one shows no modeling light. Ya really want modeling lights even if they don't work while on DC.

matt62485 · Jun 22, 2012

Mike_E said:
Can you send it back?

I hate to be a drag but that one shows no modeling light. Ya really want modeling lights even if they don't work while on DC.

it has a modeling light, it is LED instead of halogen.

matt62485 · Jun 22, 2012

unpopular said:
^^ I'd second that. If you end up not liking the DG600, I'd exchange it with the 620M. This is the same light I have, only with DC operation.

I couldn't find it when I was looking for suggestions.

Mach0 said:
Their flashpoint 620 model has gotten the same score review but many more times and is 10 bucks cheaper. I would consider it. I have the 320 model and it's good for indoor use.

Edit---/
I see you've ordered already. Good luck and dont forget to post what you think of it.

Sent from my iPhone using PhotoForum

honestly, i was gonna do the 620m but its on backorder, and with the baby 4-6 weeks away i wanted something asap. tisk on me for being impatient, but oh well