Starting out in flash photography

[koi]

As nice as it is I don't really have the need or cash for the Bowens setup I've been using at the college but would like to start doing some flash photography. Ordered the Speedlite 430ex II to get me started for now and on the lookout for some wireless triggers to go with it, any recommendations?

Also came across these attachments,

http://www.speedlightprokit.co.uk/speedlite.html

Anyone on here use anything similar? Looks a good idea but does it work with the size and power of the speedlites?

 

[vibrio]

as light modifiers go they modify the light emited by the flash but with a speelite you have a limited beam width. you can attach a brolly to the flash and have it on a stand but you need to be able to fire the flash remotely.

what kind of use do you envisage for the flash - people, cars, pets, still life?

 

[koi]

Yeah wasn't sure with the flash being small and low powered if it would kick out enough light.

Have you tried the triggers you can get on ebay?

Will mainly be using it for portraits and stills.

 

[Andy.]

I have a set of blazzeo triggers off eBay. They cost peanuts and have never skipped a beat.

Have a google for DIY beauty dish. They are cheap and simple to make but give great results. I bought a huge plant pot yesterday to give it a try myself.

 

[Sym0n]

I had some of the eBay triggers. Worked flawlessly, until I lent them to someone and they never returned.

I'd love pocket wizards but can't justify the expense atm, as I rarely use flash anyway, so I'll just order another pikie set and do the range extension hack.

 

[koi]

Just came across this site, http://www.diyphotography.net/

Got some good wee projects there, will give them a shot before spending any more money

 

[Andy.]

Love that site. It has loads of great projects to try.

 

[Ay Ay Ron]

Thought i'd do a quick search before i asked on here, but i'm still a little stuck.

Basically after a remote flash trigger. I have a canon 1000 and a D728 flash (cheap ebay thing). I have seen the cables which i'm not too keen on and have seen various triggers on ebay etc but i'm not too sure on what to go for. They range from about £15 to £50 but i'm not sure on the difference.

I just want one for putting my flash a bit of distance from me which that will work fine.

Anyone got any decent cheap units that you could recomend?

Cheers

 

[ScarySquirrel]

As nice as it is I don't really have the need or cash for the Bowens setup I've been using at the college but would like to start doing some flash photography. Ordered the Speedlite 430ex II to get me started for now and on the lookout for some wireless triggers to go with it, any recommendations?

Also came across these attachments,

http://www.speedlightprokit.co.uk/speedlite.html

Anyone on here use anything similar? Looks a good idea but does it work with the size and power of the speedlites?

I bought the speedlight pro kit when I first got into flash photography, I used it a few times but haven't ever used it again. No real reason other than I just never really learnt to use it properly and I just have't ever needed it for the type of shots I've learnt to enjoy doing, got some shots with the big grid though when I first got it:

Text is because it was part of a photo a day project

And another, just messing around when I first got it

In my opinion, get yourself a shoot through/reflective umbrella and a light stand to with your flash and you'll be laughing.

I took these after first getting into off camera lighting. 430EX through a shoot through umbrella, a great starting point and plenty for you to learn all about off camera lighting

 

[Moz168]

For anyone looking to get wireless flash triggers, sign up to talk photography and search for the user 'flashinthepan' and look for his strobist kit thread. He sells decent triggers/receiver kits cheaper than ebay and usually next day delivery so you dont have to wait 3 weeks for it to come from Hong Kong.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Yup, you want the Yongnuo RF-602 transmitter and receivers, bargain, and extremely reliable in my experience

 

[Moz168]

Yeah there the ones he sells. Only had mine about about a week but they are so much better than the others I had, that were known as decent ones about a year ago.

 

[Ay Ay Ron]

Sweet, cheers guys, will sign up and get some tomorrow.

 

[Ay Ay Ron]

This could take some time to get them from "flashinthepan" now as talk photography are not taking new members at the moment and before you can order from him, you now need 100 posts.

Does anyone know of anywhere else i could get a set of triggers pretty cheap?

Cheers

 

[Andy.]

I have bought from here before and everything arrived within a week or so.

 

[koi]

I used http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/hkyongnuophotoequipment

Was cheaper than on talkphotography at the time and I was in no rush for them

 

[jenic]

For anyone looking to get wireless flash triggers, sign up to talk photography and search for the user 'flashinthepan' and look for his strobist kit thread. He sells decent triggers/receiver kits cheaper than ebay and usually next day delivery so you dont have to wait 3 weeks for it to come from Hong Kong.

flashinthepan doesnt exist on TP

EDIT: Found him, actual name is 'Flash In The Pan' if anyone else if bothered.