Strobist - getting started.

mrmac

I've had a some "off boards" comms with a few people recently, regarding my new interest in Strobist - Off Camera Flash work. I thought I'd put this thread up, to help anyone else looking for some useful gear to get them started.

The whole point of this thread is based on the "Starving Student" mentality!
No big expense, start small/cheap, and if you don't like it, no big loss

Anything I post here, I will have tried personally, no here-say, or word of mouth. If anyone wishes to add to this, please do, but all recommendations must be from personal use.

Strobist - for anyone who doesn't know - is a website, setup and run, by David Hobby. He is a photojournalist in the US. He has been using, small, battery powered flashes for years, and tries to show the rest of us how it's done.

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/02/welcome-to-strobist.html

So, if you've any kind of external flash, you can get started!

There are other, very useful, sources of info. for using small flashes.
Zack Arias has a new website setup at http://www.onelightworkshop.com/
and this guy is great!

Both David & Zack have DVD sets to help explain their techniques.

Now - getting the basic gear!

First thing: external flash source.
Any flash gun will work, no matter of age or manufacturer! Remember, you're going to be using this "Off-Camera", so iTTL or such fancy tech gizmo, is not going to help. It also doesn't matter what mount the flash has, as it's "OFF-CAMERA". Personally, I have a Nikon SB-25, Nikon SB-26, two Cobra D650s with an Olympus and a Pentax mount.
The older Nikon flashes are highly recommended, mainly because of their build quality and features. The handiest of which is a built in PC Sync Port.

Here's what you need to do:

Sift through all the second-hand sources you can find, for cheap flash guns. Look out for Nikon SB-24, 25, 26, 28, 28-dx. But don't pay crazy money! Because of strobist interest, I've seen SB-26s go for well over €100, don't do it! The most useful feature is an LCD display on the back, if it has a PC port - that's great, if not, that's no problem!

Check any decent finds here:

http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html

It's vital you do not use a "High Voltage" flash, with a modern "Low Voltage" camera!

You'll only do it once to figure out why:mad:

Next, how to trigger the flash.
The cheapest way, is to use a cable from your camera, directly into your flash. This is called a PC-Sync flash cable. It will fire the flash whenever you take a shot. If your camera does not have a PC-Sync port, you can purchase an adapter that sits in the cameras hotshoe, and has a PC-Sync port in it.

If your flash does not have a PC-Sync port, don't worry, you have several options for triggering it. Optical, Cable, IR, Remote.

I have, personally, used these: Seagull Optical Remote Trigger SYK-4 with built in PC port - $6.92 each, inc. delivery!

http://www.focalprice.com/SYK_4_Flash_Remote_Controller_Hot_Shoe_Flash_Remote_Slave_Trigger_DI336B_8697.html

Now you can fire your flash, either from the light off another flash, or by a cable. If you're using optically, make sure the sensor is pointing towards the first flash.

I'd recommend also using these, if your flash does not have a PC port, as you can connect a wireless trigger into these to fire your flash.

Wireless trigger: I have a set of Gadget Infinity Cactus V4 - $39.95!

http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=17204

I did have an issue with the transmitter, which was replaced, without question, straight away

Next, flash holders/stands.

The Bogen stand, Nano001b, can be bought from www.barkerphotographic.ie , in Cork. It's about €67 plus delivery.

BUT, check out feabay seller: audipartner1, who has great deals on sets of 2, 3 or 4 stands. Not pro gear, and quite heavy, but CHEAP! I'd recommend getting the set of four. Why? Well you can use two for your lights, and then you can use two as a backdrop holder! Two stands, with a 1" diameter (25mm) wooden baton (bought in any DIY store), with a hole drilled through it at each end, makes a perfect backdrop holder.
Should cost no more than €75 all-in, for four stands inc. delivery and a wooden pole!

To hold the flash, and/or brollie, on the stand, I use these:
http://www.focalprice.com/A_Type_Flash_Shoe_Holder_Light_Stand_Mount_for_Camera_Black_DI371B_9233.html
These work great, and are the type that can hold your umbrella as well - $7.43USD inc. delivery.

Shoot through umbrella, I got two of these, but TBH they're a bit small, but a cheap place to start, and only $6.20USD inc. delivery each.
http://www.focalprice.com/3cm__33inch_Length_Photo_Umbrella_Soft_Box_White_DT012W_2506.html

Last, but not least, is a reflector. This one is great. It's big enough to be useful for anything, and has 5 different reflective covers. Mind you, it's one of those pop-up gizmos, so it can take a bit of practice to bend n' fold the thing back up! Only $25.28USD inc. delivery.
http://www.focalprice.com/110cm_5_in_1_Illuminator_Reflector_DI074X_3540.html

Very important: if you order from Focalprice, try to keep all your orders over $20 but under $30. This way you'll get a tracking number (>$20), but you'll keep Customs at bay Also remember that these items are being sent from HK, so expect about two weeks for delivery. I sometimes order less than $20, as I know I won't be at home to accept registered post, and the post man can easily put the item through the letterbox.

Sorry for the long post, but if you're still reading this, I hope it helps!
I've bought loads of bits n bobs of focalprice and dealextreme, no problems. If there is anything else, strobist wise, that I can help you with, let me know, but hey, I'm only learning this stuff myself!

Any hints, tips or suggestions, on how to develope strobist skills, would be very welcome - however - remember the "Starving Student"

oshead

Thats excellent stuff. I went down this road about 5 months ago and could'av done with this info at the time. Though for me, half the fun is in researching what to buy. Since then I've bought a lot of gear and have even gotten quite a few paid jobs directly from this. :pac:

A good local resource is the Dublin Strobist group in flickr. Worth checking out.

Dave OS

mrmac

Thanks for the link Dave - I just signed up!
I have to say, some of your portrait stuff is fantastic.

oshead

Thanks MrMac.... And I'm just getting started. I got the Strobist and OneLight DVD sets to get me going. Since then a whole new world in photography has been opened up.

ttcomet

Cheers mrmac for all the info and links. I have a few of my own, hopefully they may be of some use.

Shops:
This shop has precut gels and ball bungees if you are looking for them.

This shop on ebay has super clamps, magic arms, spigots, gels and lots of other bits and bobs you may need.

This shop has pc sync cords and hot shoe flash adapters failry cheap.

I got remote triggers from this shop they were next to useless on my Canon flashes but worked almost perfectly at close range on a couple of old Nikon ones I got cheap.

Info:
This is the lighting essentials site, it is another good source of information. The guy that runs it posts on the stobist flickr group a lot.

@oshead do you think the strobist DVD set was worth getting?

mrmac

Filter Gels: Stage Lighting Centre, Brunswick Place, Dublin, are the Irish agent for Lee Filter gel.
They have "most" colours, but for Strobist use: #206 Quarter CTO, #205 Half CTO, #204 Full CTO, #246 Quarter Plus Green, #245 Half Plus Green, #244 Full Plus Green.

They charge €7 approx., for a 1m x 1m roll of gel. Enough to last a lifetime! I bought a roll of 1/4 & 1/2 CTO, plus a roll of 1/4 Plus Green, as you can always double up the gels to get a stronger effect. €21ish and enough to last me forever! Sell you a bit matey? Plus, don't be afraid to ask for a Lee Filters sample book

I spotted the kits on eBay, but figured I'd just end up with loads of colours I'd never use.

http://www.stagelightingcentre.com/


As for ball bungees - I couldn't source these anywhere locally - so I made a small version, using black hair bands and beads! €3 for a packet of 10 black hair bands (without the metal clasp), and €1.50 for 10 "good sized" beads. These are absolutely idea for fixing my remotes to the light stands.

Velcro - pop into any fabric or curtain store, and you should be able to pick up 20mm x 1m lenght of black "hook" & "loop" adhesive velcro for about €4.00. This is more than good enough for fixing gels.

mrmac

Another tip......

So you've bought the four light stands, and are now using two as a backdrop holder, with the added wooden pole? Now, head to your nearest curtain fabric shop, and buy a few yards (at least 4) of pure white and jet black. This will get you started, and you can play with "High Key" & "Low Key" shots.

Bonus point: try to get some of the long cardboard tubes, that the fabric is rolled on, from the sales person! They don't want them anyway. Be a little cheeky, and ask them to do you a favour and roll your fabric back onto the tube (most places have a rolling machine that does this). Ask to get the start of the fabric sellotaped to the cardboard tube (stops it falling off if you un-wind it too far, lol not!). Now your fabric will stay nice and smooth, and you can simply slide the tube onto your wooden pole.

Keep the open end of your fabric closed using sellotape, not bungees or elastic, as this will crease the material.

If you've managed to get some extra cardboard tubes, great! You can often get "off-cuts" of interesting material in fabric shops, which can make great backgrounds. You can also cut the cardboard tubes, and use them with wallpaper, which is just wide enough for a head-shot!

As for batteries - remember, not all batteries are the same!

I use batteries I got in Aldi. €4.99 for four AA NiMh, 2,300mAh, and they've never let me down.

Bonus point: buy a permanent black marker, and mark your batteries in sets, as soon as you buy them. Always try to use the same four batteries as a set, and charge them as a set. I simply use letters for my sets, i.e. I've four As, four Bs, four Cs etc.

Bonus point eile: I strongely suggest buying these: http://www.focalprice.com/detail.aspx?pid=7051 great at keeping your batteries sorted, and only $2.81usd.

Also worth pointing out, not all battery chargers are the same either!
Sure, you can buy a battery charger that will charge your four AAs, for a couple of euro - but it'll probably take 20+ hours to do so! If your ok with that, cool! But if you're a bit forgetful, or impatient, you'll only remember the batteries when you need them! I splashed out and bought 2 Uniross 1hr chargers, but keeping the "Starving Student" vision in mind, I bought them on eBay, with four 2700mAh AAs in the pack!

Have a look at this seller : justchillup, he's in the UK. I went for the one with the 2700mAh batteries for another reason. You'll notice the postage is more expensive for this set, than for other sets? That's because this charger has a seperate power supply, and comes with a 12 volt plug, so you can charge your batteries on-the-move!

Can't think of anything else ATM - have a nice day

Cameraman

mrmac wrote: »

As for batteries - remember, not all batteries are the same!

I use batteries I got in Aldi. €4.99 for four AA NiMh, 2,300mAh, and they've never let me down.

Bonus point: buy a permanent black marker, and mark your batteries in sets, as soon as you buy them. Always try to use the same four batteries as a set, and charge them as a set. I simply use letters for my sets, i.e. I've four As, four Bs, four Cs etc.

Bonus point eile: I strongely suggest buying these: http://www.focalprice.com/detail.aspx?pid=7051 great at keeping your batteries sorted, and only $2.81usd.

Also worth pointing out, not all battery chargers are the same either!
Sure, you can buy a battery charger that will charge your four AAs, for a couple of euro - but it'll probably take 20+ hours to do so! If your ok with that, cool! But if you're a bit forgetful, or impatient, you'll only remember the batteries when you need them! I splashed out and bought 2 Uniross 1hr chargers, but keeping the "Starving Student" vision in mind, I bought them on eBay, with four 2700mAh AAs in the pack!

Have a look at this seller : justchillup, he's in the UK. I went for the one with the 2700mAh batteries for another reason. You'll notice the postage is more expensive for this set, than for other sets? That's because this charger has a seperate power supply, and comes with a 12 volt plug, so you can charge your batteries on-the-move!

Can't think of anything else ATM - have a nice day

I have read that fast charging will shorten the life of your batteries. I haven't had the problem personally, but use an 'intelligent' charger instead just in case. This discharges the batteries first and then charges them at a controlled rate. It manages each battery individually, and will highlight bad ones. The chargers I use are from 7DayShop and Lidl (!). 7DayShop also sell good rechargeable batteries and battery holders. However, the postage charge menas you need a decent sized order to make it worthwhile.

(Inclidentally, I do keep a fast charger in the car, in case of emergency - even though I always carry a few extra sets of recently recharged batteries).

mrmac

Thanks Cameraman, and you're right about 7dayshop - great prices, but high delivery!
The Uniross fast chargers are great, and made by a crowd that specialise in batteries, so decent quality. I've re-charged my Aldi ones heaps of times, never had any issues. Only ever had one battery that went wonky (just wouldn't charge) and that was a Konig make.

Maybe I'm too lazy to take care of my batteries, but hey, I've never had a problem