John_05
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- Nov 26, 2005
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I managed to save up $600 since my last photography related purchase, and want to buy something new.
Here's a list of what i have so far...
2 - 250w (5600k) continuous lights with shoot-through umbrellas.
3 - light tents (12", 24", 40").
1 - shooting table.
3 - 5-in-one reflectors (24", 36", 36x60").
1 - reflector arm and clamp.
1 - 580 EXII flash.
1 - Rebel XSi with kit lens.
1 - 50mm f1.8.
1 - Sigma 70-300 f4-5.6 DG Macro.
2 tripods, 2 light stands, 3 camera bags, 5 sets of rechargeable batteries, 6 - 2GB memory cards, 2 CP filters, 4 and 6x Cross Screen filters, 2 UV filters, 1 fluorescent filter, 1 red filter, etc....
I'd like to start learning how to use strobes and try some portrait type shots, but I still love shooting outdoors too.
I'm not sure if I should get better glass, or maybe buy a cheap set of strobes from Ebay to practice with. I also want to get a few other things like an infrared filter, more batteries for the camera, a better neck strap etc....
I was looking at a few different sets on Ebay, and found these 4.
http://cgi.ebay.com/PRO-640-W-S-HIGH-OUTPUT-FLASHS-STROBE-SOFTBOX-MUSLIN_W0QQitemZ200254350561QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item200254350561&_trkparms=39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A16|240%3A1308&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
http://cgi.ebay.com/Digital-2-x-300W-Strobe-Monolight-Studio-Flash-Kit-NEW_W0QQitemZ360086993037QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item360086993037&_trkparms=39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A16|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-Studio-Flash-Strobe-2-softbox-3-backdrop-wireless_W0QQitemZ310082608019QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item310082608019&_trkparms=39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A16|240%3A1309&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-studio-flash-strobe-softbox-3-backdrops-more_W0QQitemZ160281061494QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item160281061494&_trkparms=39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A16|240%3A1308&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
I don't know much about strobes other than the cheaper ones probably wont last as long or be as reliable as more expensive ones, but after seeing the prices for more professional quality stuff, I see it would take me about 5 years to get something similar to what is in those sets.
Since I'm only looking to learn, have some fun, and I'm not trying to do anything "professionally" with whatever i get, I think I would be better off getting something cheaper for now. If later on I decide I would like to try to make a little money with my photos, I will feel better about spending $1500+ on a better set.
What I would like to know is if anyone with more knowledge with me, or perhaps someone who has owned any of those sets, could tell me if any are worth buying, and which one would be a better value for the money.
I was also thinking about getting another flash and using it with the one I have now, but I'd like for both to be off camera, and preferrably wireless. The XSi doesn't have a PC terminal, so I don't know what I would need to operate 2 flashes off camera.
Also, should I just buy a new lens and keep working with what I have? I'd like to get a lens that's sharper than the ones I have now, but somewhere in between the range I have now. I dont need anything over 300mm, but I would like to get something that's about as wide as the kit lens I have, but with more at the telephoto end. Something around 17mm - 150mm or so would be ideal.
I apologize for the long post and needing so much input, but it takes me a very long time to save up any money, and when I finally do, making the decision on what to buy becomes difficult. Right now I'm leaning towards getting more glass and improving my photography more, but I really want to learn how to use strobes as well. Since I cant do both right now, any advise or opinions would be extremely helpful.
Here's a list of what i have so far...
2 - 250w (5600k) continuous lights with shoot-through umbrellas.
3 - light tents (12", 24", 40").
1 - shooting table.
3 - 5-in-one reflectors (24", 36", 36x60").
1 - reflector arm and clamp.
1 - 580 EXII flash.
1 - Rebel XSi with kit lens.
1 - 50mm f1.8.
1 - Sigma 70-300 f4-5.6 DG Macro.
2 tripods, 2 light stands, 3 camera bags, 5 sets of rechargeable batteries, 6 - 2GB memory cards, 2 CP filters, 4 and 6x Cross Screen filters, 2 UV filters, 1 fluorescent filter, 1 red filter, etc....
I'd like to start learning how to use strobes and try some portrait type shots, but I still love shooting outdoors too.
I'm not sure if I should get better glass, or maybe buy a cheap set of strobes from Ebay to practice with. I also want to get a few other things like an infrared filter, more batteries for the camera, a better neck strap etc....
I was looking at a few different sets on Ebay, and found these 4.
http://cgi.ebay.com/PRO-640-W-S-HIGH-OUTPUT-FLASHS-STROBE-SOFTBOX-MUSLIN_W0QQitemZ200254350561QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item200254350561&_trkparms=39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A16|240%3A1308&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
http://cgi.ebay.com/Digital-2-x-300W-Strobe-Monolight-Studio-Flash-Kit-NEW_W0QQitemZ360086993037QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item360086993037&_trkparms=39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A16|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-Studio-Flash-Strobe-2-softbox-3-backdrop-wireless_W0QQitemZ310082608019QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item310082608019&_trkparms=39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A16|240%3A1309&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-studio-flash-strobe-softbox-3-backdrops-more_W0QQitemZ160281061494QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item160281061494&_trkparms=39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A16|240%3A1308&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
I don't know much about strobes other than the cheaper ones probably wont last as long or be as reliable as more expensive ones, but after seeing the prices for more professional quality stuff, I see it would take me about 5 years to get something similar to what is in those sets.
Since I'm only looking to learn, have some fun, and I'm not trying to do anything "professionally" with whatever i get, I think I would be better off getting something cheaper for now. If later on I decide I would like to try to make a little money with my photos, I will feel better about spending $1500+ on a better set.
What I would like to know is if anyone with more knowledge with me, or perhaps someone who has owned any of those sets, could tell me if any are worth buying, and which one would be a better value for the money.
I was also thinking about getting another flash and using it with the one I have now, but I'd like for both to be off camera, and preferrably wireless. The XSi doesn't have a PC terminal, so I don't know what I would need to operate 2 flashes off camera.
Also, should I just buy a new lens and keep working with what I have? I'd like to get a lens that's sharper than the ones I have now, but somewhere in between the range I have now. I dont need anything over 300mm, but I would like to get something that's about as wide as the kit lens I have, but with more at the telephoto end. Something around 17mm - 150mm or so would be ideal.
I apologize for the long post and needing so much input, but it takes me a very long time to save up any money, and when I finally do, making the decision on what to buy becomes difficult. Right now I'm leaning towards getting more glass and improving my photography more, but I really want to learn how to use strobes as well. Since I cant do both right now, any advise or opinions would be extremely helpful.
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