What lighting setup to get in UK for my gear, please?

[Freida]

Hello guys,

would you mind please direct me what would be a good brand & setup to get in UK if I wanna start playing with my flash, please?

I've read The Strobist which recommends this setup but they don't have those brands in UK so anyone wouldn't mind the give me similar things in UK that is good quality but not overly expensive, please?

http://strobist.blogspot.co.uk/2006/03/lighting-101-traveling-light.html
https://mpex.com/compact-off-camera-flash-jump-starter-kit-no-flash.html

I have these for now:

D750
85mm 1.8G lens
SB700
Manfrotto tripod

What I will experiment with is portraits mostly at home but will probably wanna test it outside too as its nice to have fill light. Umbrella or softbox or any other suggestions with brand or type to get would really help me so I know what to order and I don't get some rubbish product that will break soon

Really appreciate any help you guys can point me to. Thank you so much

 

[Apple fanboy]

Hello guys,

would you mind please direct me what would be a good brand & setup to get in UK if I wanna start playing with my flash, please?

I've read The Strobist which recommends this setup but they don't have those brands in UK so anyone wouldn't mind the give me similar things in UK that is good quality but not overly expensive, please?

http://strobist.blogspot.co.uk/2006/03/lighting-101-traveling-light.html
https://mpex.com/compact-off-camera-flash-jump-starter-kit-no-flash.html

I have these for now:

D750
85mm 1.8G lens
SB700
Manfrotto tripod

What I will experiment with is portraits mostly at home but will probably wanna test it outside too as its nice to have fill light. Umbrella or softbox or any other suggestions with brand or type to get would really help me so I know what to order and I don't get some rubbish product that will break soon

Really appreciate any help you guys can point me to. Thank you so much

I use Rouge Flashbender.

Packs nice a flat for your camera bag. I assume you have a lighting stand? I have a few and the cheap no name brand ones on Amazon are fine for a SB700 (I use SB900's).
Just make sure you have a way to trigger it as well as off camera flash will be more flattering.

 

[Freida]

I use Rouge Flashbender.

Packs nice a flat for your camera bag. I assume you have a lighting stand? I have a few and the cheap no name brand ones on Amazon are fine for a SB700 (I use SB900's).
Just make sure you have a way to trigger it as well as off camera flash will be more flattering.

Thank you,

I actually don't have anything and today I spent most of the day looking at umbrellas etc. on amazon. Tons of options and brands. So I guess for now I just need the stand, umbrela (or some sort of softbox - yours looks cool but I feel that maybe the umbrella is more flexible in terms of options (I might be totally wrong here)), triggers (maybe I could start with a cable first (???) ), and those holders?

Does it matter if I mix and match brands? I noticed that Phot-R is very affordable and has good rating but maybe bad quality? (I'm often worried when something is very cheap so wonder about that)

So any help is really appreciated as I would ideally like to do my research this week and order it so I can play with it soon (my "model" is ready and eager )
[doublepost=1497996866][/doublepost]P.s.: Got rid of that 50mm 1.4G lens and now that I tried the 85mm 1.8G my pics are way sharper and better so that lens was just dodgy regardless of Nikon saying its fine. All my images now have good focus and I'm sometimes even amazed how sharp I get it. Super impressed for now. Lets hope it lasts

 

[Apple fanboy]

Thank you,

I actually don't have anything and today I spent most of the day looking at umbrellas etc. on amazon. Tons of options and brands. So I guess for now I just need the stand, umbrela (or some sort of softbox - yours looks cool but I feel that maybe the umbrella is more flexible in terms of options (I might be totally wrong here)), triggers (maybe I could start with a cable first (???) ), and those holders?

Does it matter if I mix and match brands? I noticed that Phot-R is very affordable and has good rating but maybe bad quality? (I'm often worried when something is very cheap so wonder about that)

So any help is really appreciated as I would ideally like to do my research this week and order it so I can play with it soon (my "model" is ready and eager )
[doublepost=1497996866][/doublepost]P.s.: Got rid of that 50mm 1.4G lens and now that I tried the 85mm 1.8G my pics are way sharper and better so that lens was just dodgy regardless of Nikon saying its fine. All my images now have good focus and I'm sometimes even amazed how sharp I get it. Super impressed for now. Lets hope it lasts

Glad you sorted it!

Soft box or umbrella is all a matter of personal choice. Mixing and matching is fine.
A cheap stand, cable and an umbrella or soft box is your minimal start up.
I use rouge because I got a huge discount (don't ask but think 100%!). They are good quality. I also have one from Manfrotto which isn't as good tbh.
I don't really shoot people so my lighting gear doesn't get too many outings. On here I'd say @The Bad Guy is probably your best expert to ask. Maybe shoot him a PM.

 

[Foogoofish]

P.s.: Got rid of that 50mm 1.4G lens and now that I tried the 85mm 1.8G my pics are way sharper and better so that lens was just dodgy regardless of Nikon saying its fine. All my images now have good focus and I'm sometimes even amazed how sharp I get it. Super impressed for now. Lets hope it lasts

When I got my 85mm on the 5D it was like a 'oh wow, so that's real sharpness!'. I'm not a Nikon guy, but I found I got even better results for really crisp eyes by fine tuning the focus. My 50's still great, but it's non-comparable! The worst thing in the world is getting the shot and then the focus being 5mm front or back.

As for lighting, I started with a couple of cheap soft boxes from Amazon and got the fabric background set. While it's not ideal using a white fabric background as you get some shadowing in the crinkles in the fabric, if you light it enough the camera will expose for it. It's not perfect, but it's a start! Also, a roll of gaffer tape and some creative taping gets rid of most of the crinkles.

Also (not a Nikon guy remember!), getting off camera flash is invaluable. I used the YONGNUO RF-602 to begin with and couldn't fault it. Not sure if compatible, but I'm sure they make a Nikon version.

If you're around London I'm always up for a beer and camera chat!

 

[Freida]

Sounds good to me.

Ok, I'll do my research and will order something today. Hopefully will get more advice in so I can do good purchase. Its so overwhelming with so many options out there

 

[Foogoofish]

Sounds good to me.

Ok, I'll do my research and will order something today. Hopefully will get more advice in so I can do good purchase. Its so overwhelming with so many options out there

If you want to put up here what you're buying before you hit order, I can throw my 2 cents in! Slow day at work...

Ok - so I looked up what I got to start and here it is: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01N68GBE3/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

Now, not everyone loves continuous soft boxes, but when you're starting out it's actually super helpful as you can play with the light and see what's actually happening in real time, rather than having to fire the flash over and over. Plus for £60 you get two lights, and then you can spend £100+ later on a flash if you don't have one.

 

[TheDrift-]

for portable soft box's lastolite ezybox range is hard to beat, and certainly worth a look. You can also get unbranded equivalents (of varying quality) that are a bit cheaper.

Wescott do some nice portable stuff, but can be on the pricier side...

 

[Freida]

I think because I have the flash then its easier for me so I can use it outside also. The continuous requires power supply which I think is another bulk that I will prefer to avoid for now.

So I think these are what I've found so far

http://www.wexphotographic.com/inte...verblack-cover-7mm-shaft-1031854/#ProductInfo


I could get a kit like this and have it all sorted for now? Also, what cable trigger should I get as I can't seem to find a simple cable solution (like 3 or 5m) that I would connect to my camera and to the flash and just trigger it like that.


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neewer-Spe...8043728&sr=8-4&keywords=lighting+umbrella+kit

 

[Foogoofish]

I have one of those Neweer stand and umbrellas and the stands are a little delicate, but unless you plan on throwing them around I've found it absolutely fine! Might want to weigh it down in the wind . I would personally go with the kit, but that's just me. You get the stand included which is a bonus.

Do you mean a trigger for the flash to fire? This is the one I mentioned before if you mean for the flash - one end on the hot shoe on the camera, one under the flash and bingo! You can buy sets with 2 receivers for 2 flashes if you have 2 to go with the 2 umbrellas...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yongnuo-RF...98044676&sr=1-1&keywords=YONGNUO+RF-602+nikon

 

[Freida]

I have one of those Neweer stand and umbrellas and the stands are a little delicate, but unless you plan on throwing them around I've found it absolutely fine! Might want to weigh it down in the wind . I would personally go with the kit, but that's just me. You get the stand included which is a bonus.

Do you mean a trigger for the flash to fire? This is the one I mentioned before if you mean for the flash - one end on the hot shoe on the camera, one under the flash and bingo! You can buy sets with 2 receivers for 2 flashes if you have 2 to go with the 2 umbrellas...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yongnuo-RF...98044676&sr=1-1&keywords=YONGNUO+RF-602+nikon

I'm starting to lean towards the kit also as its very cheap so for a start perfect I guess.

Yes, I wanted a trigger and thought cable might be cheapest option but then found out that most likely i would need a hot shoe mount so in the end the cost would be similar so i might go with that one.

If I do decide to go for 2 flashes eventually can I just get an extra one later or is it better now to just get 2x ?
[doublepost=1498048608][/doublepost]I think I'll get the kit and the YONGNUO trigger (unless someone has better version)

 

[Foogoofish]

I'm starting to lean towards the kit also as its very cheap so for a start perfect I guess.

Yes, I wanted a trigger and thought cable might be cheapest option but then found out that most likely i would need a hot shoe mount so in the end the cost would be similar so i might go with that one.

If I do decide to go for 2 flashes eventually can I just get an extra one later or is it better now to just get 2x ?
[doublepost=1498048608][/doublepost]I think I'll get the kit and the YONGNUO trigger (unless someone has better version)

I think the best bit of advice I ever got was to get what you really 'need' to start taking the photos, and then you can of course build from there! If I were doing it again, I would probably go for:

2x Umbrella Kit
1x Yongnuo Trigger (1x Transmitter and 1x Receiver Pack)
1x Flash (I first bought the Yongnuo YN-568EX II TTL Master HSS but that's Canon specific - I will look for a link for Nikon!)
1x Diffuser (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00IAMXREQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1) - a cheap way of adding another light 'source' under the face by bouncing the flash or sun
1x Lens Hood if you are shooting out and about to reduce sun / flare issues - can't recommend as don't know your lens and what it takes!

From there you can basically go wild as you add things and upgrade! I also have to add that I'm sure many people will have many views on flashes, but I loved that one, and still use it regularly. If you have the money to spend you can go branded, but for a first off it is great. I use Panasonic Eneloop Pro 2500mAh rechargeable AA's in it and they are outstanding.

Edit - Maybe I mis-understood, do you have a flash already?

 

[Freida]

I think the best bit of advice I ever got was to get what you really 'need' to start taking the photos, and then you can of course build from there! If I were doing it again, I would probably go for:

2x Umbrella Kit
1x Yongnuo Trigger (1x Transmitter and 1x Receiver Pack)
1x Flash (I first bought the Yongnuo YN-568EX II TTL Master HSS but that's Canon specific - I will look for a link for Nikon!)
1x Diffuser (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00IAMXREQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1) - a cheap way of adding another light 'source' under the face by bouncing the flash or sun
1x Lens Hood if you are shooting out and about to reduce sun / flare issues - can't recommend as don't know your lens and what it takes!

From there you can basically go wild as you add things and upgrade! I also have to add that I'm sure many people will have many views on flashes, but I loved that one, and still use it regularly. If you have the money to spend you can go branded, but for a first off it is great. I use Panasonic Eneloop Pro 2500mAh rechargeable AA's in it and they are outstanding.

Edit - Maybe I mis-understood, do you have a flash already?

I got the kit and also the yongnuo trigger so it will arrive tomorrow. (can still cancel if needed )
I have Nikon SB700 so in terms of flash I'm ok for now. (I got it few years back for a wedding)

As for hood I have 85mm 1.8G lens which came with a hood so I think that could be fine for now?

I think that might be fine for now as im starting Should be fun.

 

[Foogoofish]

I got the kit and also the yongnuo trigger so it will arrive tomorrow. (can still cancel if needed )
I have Nikon SB700 so in terms of flash I'm ok for now. (I got it few years back for a wedding)

As for hood I have 85mm 1.8G lens which came with a hood so I think that could be fine for now?

I think that might be fine for now as im starting Should be fun.

Awesome! So long as you got the compatible triggers I won't spend all night worrying! Can't wait to see some shots... Welcome to the world of flash photography!

 

[Freida]

Awesome! So long as you got the compatible triggers I won't spend all night worrying! Can't wait to see some shots... Welcome to the world of flash photography!

I hope they are. It works with SB900 etc.so I would expect it to work on SB700

Lets hope and thank you Looking forward to it.
Also, just found out that I might be able to attend the workshop I did last year which would be super awesome as I got nice pics (but blurred due to D90 + 50mm 1.4G lens issue) which is now think of a past.

Also, I'm doing some photography session with John Clemments so that will hopefully teach me some too

 

[Apple fanboy]

I hope they are. It works with SB900 etc.so I would expect it to work on SB700

Lets hope and thank you Looking forward to it.
Also, just found out that I might be able to attend the workshop I did last year which would be super awesome as I got nice pics (but blurred due to D90 + 50mm 1.4G lens issue) which is now think of a past.

Also, I'm doing some photography session with John Clemments so that will hopefully teach me some too

John Clemments is a lovely bloke. You'll have a great time.

 

[Freida]

John Clemments is a lovely bloke. You'll have a great time.

He was the one who told me to ditch the 50mm 1.4G and get the 85mm 1.8G as I told him about my issues with it.
The next day I went to purchase it and now I'm more than happy that I did. The 85mm is just different league

 

[Freida]

Ok, got the setup and it works flawlessly so this will be fun. I have to see what is the difference in settings on my flash as right now I can only get it to work on M mode but maybe thats the way its meant to be

 

[Apple fanboy]

Ok, got the setup and it works flawlessly so this will be fun. I have to see what is the difference in settings on my flash as right now I can only get it to work on M mode but maybe thats the way its meant to be

TTL might be easier to begin with.

 

[Freida]

TTL might be easier to begin with.

When its on TTL the flash doesn't trigger so I need to study the flash/camera manual to make it work. When i set the flash to M then it works fine and I only adjust the intensity of the light.

 

[Foogoofish]

Hmmm - that's very strange! Mine seems to work, I will have a look tonight if I get a chance and see if I can help

 

[Freida]

Hmmm - that's very strange! Mine seems to work, I will have a look tonight if I get a chance and see if I can help

Well, when I have the flash (SB700) on TTL and I manually press the transmitter button then the flash's display shows that I have to switch it to M so maybe SB700 doesn't support TTL with this trigger. Not sure but M works fine but nothing else

 

[Freida]

Here is a hypothetical question.

Seeing that the kit has 2 umbrellas etc. is it possibly (as I have only one flash) to set one umbrella as white soft box and then place the other umbrella (silver one) opposite direction and get some bounce light from that silver umbrella? Because in my mind it seems logical

 

[Foogoofish]

Completely! The thing to bear in mind is that you will be taking diffused light and redirecting it - so it wouldn't be as strong as taking the sun for example (a point-source of light), but it will still help fill out the shadows. It's all about the angles.

It's one of the things I love most about artificial lighting - so many ways to play with the light! I quite like having the flash fire directly above the camera, with a reflector under the face to smooth the shadows out from under the eyes and on the neck. I think I have a dodgy self portrait done in this method, will look it out.

It's great having a willing model too - or a remote to a tethered camera so you can play with yourself and get instant feedback on a screen... *cough* (sorry!)

 

[Freida]

So, did some testing and its all nice and cool, except one thing.

I get the bottom black stripes. I had shutter speed at 1/250 which I later found out that D750 can only do 1/200 so I lowered my shutter speed and was shooting some more but later I got another stripe (not sure if i changed anything)

The picture in question has these values:

1/200 F9 ISO100 85mm

I think flash was set to 1/16 or 1/8 (not sure) and the lens on flash was set to 85mm too

What am I missing, please?