Looking at a OCF and trigger

[Aze]

I want to start working with lighting more and was thinking of grabbing these two:

CowboyStudio Photography Lighting | Studio Equipment | Studio Accessories

Bower SFD926C Digital Shoe Mount Flash for Canon SLR SFD926C B&H

I've got a few questions.

1. Will these work alright together? My main goal is to start working with an off camera flash, I want to hit this incrementally, one step at a time. So for starters, I will be able to get the flash off the camera, what limitations will I have there?

2. Later down the road I'm sure I'll want to get a speedlite, if I get the 580, would I then put that on the camera and have it trigger the OCF? If so, will the bower be compatible with the speedlite?

3. Am I shooting myself in the foot getting this? Will it be a total waste of money, or a decent investment in my journey of flash photography?

Thanks guys, I appreciate any advice you've got.

 

[o hey tyler]

I want to start working with lighting more and was thinking of grabbing these two:

CowboyStudio Photography Lighting | Studio Equipment | Studio Accessories

Bower SFD926C Digital Shoe Mount Flash for Canon SLR SFD926C B&H

I've got a few questions.

1. Will these work alright together? My main goal is to start working with an off camera flash, I want to hit this incrementally, one step at a time. So for starters, I will be able to get the flash off the camera, what limitations will I have there?

2. Later down the road I'm sure I'll want to get a speedlite, if I get the 580, would I then put that on the camera and have it trigger the OCF? If so, will the bower be compatible with the speedlite?

3. Am I shooting myself in the foot getting this? Will it be a total waste of money, or a decent investment in my journey of flash photography?

Thanks guys, I appreciate any advice you've got.

I'm partial to Gadget Infinity's Cactus transmitters. I haven't used Cowboy Studio products because I seem to remember them infringing on the copyright of "Strobist", but I may have that confused.

Gadget Infinity :: Digital Camera :: Flash Trigger :: Wireless Trigger :: Cactus Wireless Flash Transceiver V5 Duo

If you have triggers, depending on your body, you should be able to have the 580 on camera, and the transmitter hooked up to a flash port on the side of your body. To my knowledge, the Bower is not capable of being a slave.

Personally, I'd invest in a 430EX II or a 580EX II and get an off brand flash after. I've found that the Canon or Nikon brand flashes have better build quality and features than the off brand ones. You'll get High Speed Sync with a Canon Flash, I don't think the Bower has that, as well as rear curtain. Not to mention a few custom functions on the Canon flashes as well.

 

[Big Mike]

I doesn't say if the flash has manual power control.

Check out THIS KIT, it has everything you need to get started.

 

[KmH]

That kit seems over priced to me, for what you get.

I won't buy a light stand that won't go up to 8 feet, unless it's a 3 foot backdrop stand. The light stand in that kit only goes up 7 ft.

There are less expensive, but comparable, strobes (flash units) than the LP-160, and you can buy ball bungies at Wal-Mart.

The umbrella is not convertible and they note about the umbrella that:

The small folding design means more joints, moving parts, and a hollow shaft resulting in a less sturdy design than reqular folding umbrellas

So, keep your eyes open and be sure and shop around. Visit www.bhphotovideo.com and look at comparable gear so you can compare what it would cost to put your own kit together.

 

[Aze]

Thanks for the info so far, I have to admit I'm completely ignorant to flash lighting, I have been googling a bit and from what I can tell, getting the flash off the camera and experimenting with results is a good first step. I'm very much a trial and error person, I don't mind 100 completely crap pictures in an afternoon if I'm learning what is happening. I'd like to spend under $200 on a flash and trigger if possible, and have it be something I can use as my setup goes. What should I be looking for? there are ton's of flashes, but I really don't know what I need for my purposes.

 

[KmH]

What brand and model of camera do you have?

 

[Aze]

I've got a canon t1i.

 

[KmH]

The total for the following is $194, and you'll already have a 2nd receiver for a second light.

StudioHut 4 channel Wireless Radio Hot Shoe Flash Trigger Kit for Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus & Pentax Flashes with 2 Receivers

Impact Air-cushioned Light Stand (Black, 8')

Interfit Strobies Umbrella Holder with Shoe Adapter

44" White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover

Vivitar 285HV Auto Professional Flash

 

[Aze]

Keith, wow, thanks so much. I really appreciate it, can't believe you went through that much to find something right on my price range!

How would the flash and trigger play with something like a 580ex if I eventually go that way, or is it quite likely I'll find that unnecessary and should focus on learning how to use this setup first?

I know, I'm totally full of questions.

 

[Big Mike]

Yes, many thanks to Keith for sourcing out better, less expensive parts than in the kit I linked to. I use that link because it's convenient to show people the type of stuff they may need...but obviously, there are better deals out there, if you shop around. I should have mentioned that.

And yes, if you do eventually get a Canon flash like a 430EX or 580EX, you could still use these triggers.

 

[KmH]

Keith, wow, thanks so much. I really appreciate it, can't believe you went through that much to find something right on my price range!

You're welcome. I've been around the block a couple of times and already knew what gear would work in that price range.

With that radio trigger set you would need to put a 580EX in manual mode to use it OCF. If the 580EX is on the camera hot shoe, there is no place to mount the radio trigger, so there would be no way to trigger the 285HV OCF.