New photo gear. Yay!

[jwbryson1]

I got the following new gear for my birthday yesterday. I'm hoping to do some indoor portraits of my family. What do ya'll think about these?

BS13 Flashpoint Background Support Stand, 13' Height

bd701hs - Adorama.com

bd702hs - Adorama.com

2199 Nikon 50mm f/1.8 G AF-S Standard Auto Focus Nikkor Lens - U.S.A. Warranty

 

[tirediron]

Good score! :thumbup: Do you have the necessary lighting gear to go with it?

 

[jwbryson1]

Actually, all I own is one SB-700 (and an SB-400 which is not helpful). I likely need more lighting but was hoping to at least get some shots with my current gear and perhaps a homemade reflector.

Any suggestions on what else to buy? I keep reading about off-brand flashes (Vivitar, Sigma, others) on this forum, but I'm at a loss for what I need. I think I want 2 more flashes that I can use in conjunction with my D90 but I'm open to suggestions and any help you can offer.

 

[jwbryson1]

Any suggestions on other lighting to go with this new setup are appreciated. Thanks.

 

[bazooka]

If you go with Nikon's wireless system, you'll pay a lot more money than if you go with a manual system, at least as far as flashes go. You can set up any hotshoe flash with a wireless or optical receiver. An optical hotshoe is cheap.

 

[Derrel]

I think one essential a guy needs is at least ONE LARGE rectangular reflector panel, approximately 72 inches tall by 48 inches. A "door-shaped" panel, if you will, made from PVC pipe framing, and fitted with fabric that uses corner elastics to keep the fabric tight on the frame. With two identically-sized panels, the two can be clipped, taped, tied, wired, or zip-tied together to form a VERY useful, self-standing lighting device called a V-flat.

 

[MTVision]

I think one essential a guy needs is at least ONE LARGE rectangular reflector panel, approximately 72 inches tall by 48 inches. A "door-shaped" panel, if you will, made from PVC pipe framing, and fitted with fabric that uses corner elastics to keep the fabric tight on the frame. With two identically-sized panels, the two can be clipped, taped, tied, wired, or zip-tied together to form a VERY useful, self-standing lighting device called a V-flat.

Hmmm....Thanks Derrel! Another job for the boyfriend to do! He just built me a portable backdrop so this should be pretty easy to make.

What kind of fabric would you use?

 

[Trever1t]

Nice score! I just picked up a few lightstands, reflector arm to hold my relfector in place and a couple umbrellas. Look on CL for used Nikon speedlights. I might pick up another SB800 for $325 next week.

Now I need to google V-FLAT to see what it is that Derrel descibed!

 

[jwbryson1]

I'm guessing Derrel is being amusing but you don't know what you don't know, right? I think I'll make my own reflector with cardboard and aluminum foil. It's the lighting that I'm wondering about.

Off to strobist for more answers. Thanks folks.

 

[Trever1t]

Derrel is never 'just being amusing'

Looked it up, simple and useful.

 

[jwbryson1]

My apologies to Derrel. I thought he was yanking my chain but I also Googled this and found a few DIY versions of the V-Flat.

DIY: Larry’s Answer to the V-Flat Question « « Larry's Cheap Shots Larry's Cheap Shots

 

[MTVision]

I'm guessing Derrel is being amusing but you don't know what you don't know, right? I think I'll make my own reflector with cardboard and aluminum foil. It's the lighting that I'm wondering about.

Off to strobist for more answers. Thanks folks.

I have a cardboard and aluminum foil reflector - it works really great.

 

[jwbryson1]

For example, can these Vivitar 283's be used wirelessly with the D90? i-TTL or manual? If not wirelessly, then how?

VIVDF283NIK Vivitar DF283 Digital TTL Shoe Mount Bounce / Zoom / Swivel Auto-Focus Flash for Nikon TTL, Guide Number 42m (137')

 

[jwbryson1]

I'm guessing Derrel is being amusing but you don't know what you don't know, right? I think I'll make my own reflector with cardboard and aluminum foil. It's the lighting that I'm wondering about.

Off to strobist for more answers. Thanks folks.

I have a cardboard and aluminum foil reflector - it works really great.

How big did you make your reflector?

 

[Village Idiot]

For example, can these Vivitar 283's be used wirelessly with the D90? i-TTL or manual? If not wirelessly, then how?

VIVDF283NIK Vivitar DF283 Digital TTL Shoe Mount Bounce / Zoom / Swivel Auto-Focus Flash for Nikon TTL, Guide Number 42m (137')

Only manually.

You can purchase an optical slave to fit in their sync port, use a cable that runs from your camera to the flash, or use radio triggers to fire the flashes wirelessly.

Here's a group you may be interested in:
Flickr: DC/Baltimore/NoVa Strobist

Also, check out the lighting resources thread in the lighting forum. It has links to the Strobists 101 tutorial that explains a bit about how to get a hotshoe flash off camera and start using it effectively.