Auto Strobist Thread.
New Member
iTrader: (10)
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Posts: 1,086
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From: Southern California | Oahu, HI

Nikon D60 + Onboard Flash + Nikon Speedlight SB-27 w/diffuser + Cactus V2 mounted on a $10 tripod

^Same setup, just without the onboard flash and the wireless flash bouncing off the ceiling (held by a friend)
broke down last night and ordered a set of cactus triggers and some light stands and umbrellas. Hopefully I can get it all working okay with my 430EX and an old sigma flash my friend is giving me before i need to invest in some better lighting gear.
i broke down this morning and ordered:
(1) CyberSync™ Trigger Transmitter (CST)
(3) CyberSync™ Battery Powered Trigger Receiver (CSRB)
(2) Vivitar to Pocket Wizard, CyberSync or Elinchrom Skyport
(1) Screwlock PC to Pocket Wizard, CyberSync or Elinchrom Skyport
I'm now shopping for some stands/umbrellas. Looking at the Impact 8' stands.
lol, i feel yah.
i broke down this morning and ordered:
(1) CyberSync™ Trigger Transmitter (CST)
(3) CyberSync™ Battery Powered Trigger Receiver (CSRB)
(2) Vivitar to Pocket Wizard, CyberSync or Elinchrom Skyport
(1) Screwlock PC to Pocket Wizard, CyberSync or Elinchrom Skyport
I'm now shopping for some stands/umbrellas. Looking at the Impact 8' stands.
i broke down this morning and ordered:
(1) CyberSync™ Trigger Transmitter (CST)
(3) CyberSync™ Battery Powered Trigger Receiver (CSRB)
(2) Vivitar to Pocket Wizard, CyberSync or Elinchrom Skyport
(1) Screwlock PC to Pocket Wizard, CyberSync or Elinchrom Skyport
I'm now shopping for some stands/umbrellas. Looking at the Impact 8' stands.
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (9)
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 1
From: Waipahu HI; Phoenix AZ
Guys, you don't really need an umbrella bracket, unless you are going to use umbrellas... like in this example:

You can just use your strobe's stand and screw it right down to the stand, unless you are going to use them for portraits, then getting the bracket and umbrella is a no-brainer.
Now, like gr? said in this thread:
https://my350z.com/forum/6082424-post13.html
you don't really need a diffuser or umbrella...
And I've come to the same conclusion. Just opening the umbrella and putting that away is time consuming. You'll find using strobes to be somewhat a "pain in the neck" as far as set-up and breaking-down goes... and using umbrellas just get in the way. They blow over from wind... so you'll need sand bags too. You'll lose at least 1 stop of power to boot. Maybe with more powerful flashes and a controled environment I'd go with an umbrella, but not with on-camera strobes and out in the field.
Oh, and another thing, you can also use flash to balance out the sky and subject during daylight:

You can just use your strobe's stand and screw it right down to the stand, unless you are going to use them for portraits, then getting the bracket and umbrella is a no-brainer.
Now, like gr? said in this thread:
https://my350z.com/forum/6082424-post13.html
you don't really need a diffuser or umbrella...
And I've come to the same conclusion. Just opening the umbrella and putting that away is time consuming. You'll find using strobes to be somewhat a "pain in the neck" as far as set-up and breaking-down goes... and using umbrellas just get in the way. They blow over from wind... so you'll need sand bags too. You'll lose at least 1 stop of power to boot. Maybe with more powerful flashes and a controled environment I'd go with an umbrella, but not with on-camera strobes and out in the field.
Oh, and another thing, you can also use flash to balance out the sky and subject during daylight:
Last edited by ctwentytwo; Apr 6, 2009 at 10:32 PM.
Guys, you don't really need an umbrella bracket, unless you are going to use umbrellas... like in this example:
You can just use your strobe's stand and screw it right down to the stand, unless you are going to use them for portraits, then getting the bracket and umbrella is a no-brainer.
Now, like gr? said in this thread:
https://my350z.com/forum/6082424-post13.html
you don't really need a diffuser or umbrella...
And I've come to the same conclusion. Just opening the umbrella and putting that away is time consuming. You'll find using strobes to be somewhat a "pain in the neck" as far as set-up and breaking-down goes... and using umbrellas just get in the way. They blow over from wind... so you'll need sand bags too. You'll lose at least 1 stop of power to boot. Maybe with more powerful flashes and a controled environment I'd go with an umbrella, but not with on-camera strobes and out in the field.
You can just use your strobe's stand and screw it right down to the stand, unless you are going to use them for portraits, then getting the bracket and umbrella is a no-brainer.
Now, like gr? said in this thread:
https://my350z.com/forum/6082424-post13.html
you don't really need a diffuser or umbrella...
And I've come to the same conclusion. Just opening the umbrella and putting that away is time consuming. You'll find using strobes to be somewhat a "pain in the neck" as far as set-up and breaking-down goes... and using umbrellas just get in the way. They blow over from wind... so you'll need sand bags too. You'll lose at least 1 stop of power to boot. Maybe with more powerful flashes and a controled environment I'd go with an umbrella, but not with on-camera strobes and out in the field.
for sure, the first 240 was 2 vivitar's at camera left and right, probably around 1/4 power.
the other ones were 2x vivitars and 1 430ex. the vivitar's shooting camera left and right, and the 430 used to shoot at the back of the cars
the other ones were 2x vivitars and 1 430ex. the vivitar's shooting camera left and right, and the 430 used to shoot at the back of the cars
anyone that want to get into Profoto stuff, good news for you. They are having some big promotion now.
http://www.profoto-usa.com/promos/40...cial-offer.asp
I know the price is steep but worth every cents.
http://www.profoto-usa.com/promos/40...cial-offer.asp
I know the price is steep but worth every cents.
mmmm, can't wait to start my journey this weekend! 
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...y/6688bcd5.jpg
would start now, but i have an exam to study for
and i've only washed my car once in 2009 thus far. need to give it a good scrub before i shoot it!

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...y/6688bcd5.jpg
would start now, but i have an exam to study for

and i've only washed my car once in 2009 thus far. need to give it a good scrub before i shoot it!









