Lighting? What to buy.

[Village Idiot]

Thanks for making me look like an idiot? I don't have all the time in the world to post such an elaborate reply as yourself. Sorry for the incovenience. Also, sorry to the OP appearantly you should disregard evrything I have said.

You don't have 5 minutes to spare?

That's just one option. A cheap monolight for under $300 could be another option, but then the power difference between the monolight and the SB may prove to be an issue.

 

[Bram]

I am not able to find all that in 5 minutes so.

 

[Village Idiot]

I am not able to find all that in 5 minutes so.

Experience.

 

[Bram]

There you go, you have more experience then me. Alot of people do.

 

[kundalini]

Reasearch? No i'm not a professional, No I havn't had years of experience with this stuff.

I do a lot of research also. I am not a pro either. I do have a few years under my belt, but probably less than two years of having more than a single hot shoe flash.

If the OP has a quesion, regardless of what it is, I am going to do my best to answer that question. If the OP (again regardless of the question) asks for a recommendation, I am going to answer to the best of my ability.
So Kundalini, by the reply you just made, do you have an issue with me recommending or answering to the best of my ability?

Put yourself in the OPs seat while reading responses on your monitor. You've asked a question about the great unknown of lighting and have (eventually) given a budget that you can manage. Some member has actively engaged in the thread asking questions to narrow the choices down. So this guy starts rambling off what he would get with your hard earned money. All the time you are completely unaware that this guy has never owned any kind of external lighting.
/scenario

Now your research and enthusiasm is commendable and encouraged. But you should consider the impact your comments on threads where someone's money is on the line. IMO, you should preface it with a disclosure or something along the lines of "I'm interested in this subject and while I was researching..." or provide links and tutorials. The knowledge you've gained certainly has value, you're just lacking the experience right now.

If an OP hasn't given a budget, I do not assume they what a cheap out. In fact, I have a discouraging point of view on this matter. It's just never has been a part of my nature even in the thin times. Ever heard the phrase "The cheap becomes expensive" ?

My ability is shown on my flickr. AGAIN, not a professional, i'm a 19 year old who loves photography and thinks that he knows a little about every aspect, not enough to post about all of it. I'd say enough to get a start. Still learning like everybody else on this forum. Just trying to help the Op out.

I do not believe your photographic abilities were in question by VI. Your attempts to help others is appreciated. Like I said earlier, provide those links, look up those specs, tell'em what you've read.... that's all good.

 

[scotch59]

Amazon.com: CowboyStudio NPT-04 4 Channel Wireless Hot Shoe Flash Trigger Receiver for Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus & Pentax Flashes Other products by cowboystudio: Camera & Photo

check these out.. heres my review on them. I got them a couple days ago and love them.. if your just starting out forget the expensive pocket wizards, these will save you money and work just great.. down side is they could be a bit higher quality material.
My review.. below
Binge And Grab

 

[scotch59]

Amazon.com: CowboyStudio NPT-04 4 Channel Wireless Hot Shoe Flash Trigger Receiver for Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus & Pentax Flashes Other products by cowboystudio: Camera & Photo

check these out in terms of transmitters / recievers.. . I got them a couple days ago and love them.. if your just starting out forget the expensive pocket wizards, these will save you money and work just great.. down side is they could be a bit higher quality material.

My review of this product .. below

Binge And Grab

 

[703Methane]

I just ordered this Lighting kit ( LINK ) Now these are continuous lights. But these lights are great ! I used them in my independent study, and the lighting is perfect. Once I received them I will be posting up pictures immediately. But as others said, you can easily just set your flash up to the stand and put the umbrella behind it so it wont be continuous.

BTW this is only 89.95 with free shipping. Great deal and the bag it comes with is great, and the stands are durable and strong. And also have springs in the inside to help adjust sizes.

Hope this helps,

 

[GeorgieGirl]

Holy Cow, what a deal! Looks like a very nice way to learn about lighting!!!

 

[scotch59]

I just ordered this Lighting kit ( LINK ) Now these are continuous lights. But these lights are great ! I used them in my independent study, and the lighting is perfect. Once I received them I will be posting up pictures immediately. But as others said, you can easily just set your flash up to the stand and put the umbrella behind it so it wont be continuous.

BTW this is only 89.95 with free shipping. Great deal and the bag it comes with is great, and the stands are durable and strong. And also have springs in the inside to help adjust sizes.

Hope this helps,

Wow! thats a steal. please do post pics you take with them once you use them.. im looking to upgrade my lighting, but on a budget forsure

 

[Derrel]

I recommend the Adorama web site's own brand, the FLashpoint monolights, and specifically, the 320 M models. Why? The M-series have the option of being powered by a small, 15 ounce DC battery pack, or 110-volt AC wall current. Prices on the 320M are very low; basically $99 for the monolight alone, or $145 with a light stand and umbrella or smaller softbox. The 320 is a 150 watt-second monolight that does NOT need or use a cooling fan; the lack of fan makes it ideal for battery usage. 150 watt-seconds is enough power with today's d0-slr cameras that have superb ISO 200 performance.

 

[Bram]

@ Kundalini; Thanks for the respectful feedback and I definately understand what you mean. I myself am very eager to get all this stuff and get out and use it alllll the time. I just havn't been able to do so, yet. Still waiting on shipment so.

@ Derrel; Considering the gear I have (d40x), and if I understand conrrectly, this is a continuous light. So no trigger is needed.

 

[703Methane]

Heres a quick picture that I found in my camera that my friend took of me using the $90 lighting equipment that I posted up earlier. Unfortunately he doesn't know how to use my camera, so he shot in Auto:banghead: But this is the only picture that I found in mine(we took all the others were taking in Manual on my teachers camera). But, just to give you guys a quick sample before I get it. When I get mine I will have an actual shoot with my girlfriend. So stay tuned

EXIF Data:
Shot in RAW
Exposure Mode: Auto
Lens Sigma 24-70
Focal length:70
Apeture Value: f/3.0
Flash:None
Scene capture type: Standard
White Balance: Auto

This was in class with lights off ( with an exception of a emergency light, that was on the opposite side )

 

[bumpylemon]

Amazon.com: CowboyStudio NPT-04 4 Channel Wireless Hot Shoe Flash Trigger Receiver for Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus & Pentax Flashes Other products by cowboystudio: Camera & Photo

check these out in terms of transmitters / recievers.. . I got them a couple days ago and love them.. if your just starting out forget the expensive pocket wizards, these will save you money and work just great.. down side is they could be a bit higher quality material.

My review of this product .. below

Binge And Grab

gonna buy this now. any more recommentadations? umbrellas and stands?

 

[bumpylemon]

Amazon.com: Off Camera flash Photo Studio Photography Flash Shoe Mount Swivel Bracket Umbrellas Stands 1 stands, 1 flash mount bracket, 1 shoot through umbrellas, 1 sliver reflective umbrella, 1 gold reflective umbrella By Fancierstudio Fan UBC1: Ele

should i bother with that