Auto Strobist Thread.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 909
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From: Lancaster, PA
One thing I have been wanting to do lately is get a wireless flash setup. You guys have got some great setups and as ctwentytwo said, off camera lighting is definitely what separates the pros from the joes. I already have a Canon Speedlite 430EX that mounts on the camera but I want the ability to place it off camera and wirelessly trigger it with my shutter. As I'm trying to conserve money for Zdayz 
, school, motorcycle, etc. right now I don't have an extra $200-300 laying around to spend on Pocket Wizards or the like. I have looked at TONS of cheap wireless trigger options on eBay, Gadget Infinity, etc. and came across the Phottix Strato on POTN (Canon forum). It seems to have got pretty good reviews from everything I've read. Wireless receiver and transmitter for $42 shipped 
Not only will it work as a wireless flash trigger but it can also be used as a wireless shutter. I'm ready to get these things in and test it out for myself. Cross your fingers!!
Pictures:
, school, motorcycle, etc. right now I don't have an extra $200-300 laying around to spend on Pocket Wizards or the like. I have looked at TONS of cheap wireless trigger options on eBay, Gadget Infinity, etc. and came across the Phottix Strato on POTN (Canon forum). It seems to have got pretty good reviews from everything I've read. Wireless receiver and transmitter for $42 shipped Not only will it work as a wireless flash trigger but it can also be used as a wireless shutter. I'm ready to get these things in and test it out for myself. Cross your fingers!!Pictures:
They work great! Haven't had any problems at all from them. They're pretty compact/easy to carry and worked great with my 430ex. Ordered a 580exII the other day which should be here on Thursday. I'll post up some pics soon!-Eric
anyone here using the nikon su 800? im beginning to think i either bought a lemon or the thing just ****ing sucks...i cant get it to trigger my wireless flashes outside unless they are right in front of me... help!
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 99
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From: Cincinnasty
This was taken w/ my secondary camera the D2x and it was lit by 3 b800 AlienBees trigger w/ CST and 3 CSRB, powered by a Vagabond II. I didn't take a setup shot so I apologize but they where setup around 12 feet from the car w/ two 60" white umbrellas and one bare.
I just picked up some CHEAP Vivitar's and ebay triggers. I wanted to see what this strobing is all about without getting an expensive setup and wanting to change out later on... I'll post some pics when I get started. 
I've wanted to try my hand at off camera lighting, after some research and seeing what a buddy of mine can do with his, I decided on some Radio Popper PX's.
They will go along with a 430ex, st-e2, and a 580exii, 9.5' impact light stands and 45" wescott convertible umbrellas.
went outside to see if they would still fire...
They will go along with a 430ex, st-e2, and a 580exii, 9.5' impact light stands and 45" wescott convertible umbrellas.
went outside to see if they would still fire...
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,801
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From: Hawaii
Strobist:
Armatar LR200 high camera left aiming toward the hood
Sunpak 120J high camera right aiming down toward the front tire
Armatar LR200 high camera right aiming down toward the rear tire
Canon 5D w/135L
1/10"
F4
ISO100
A different edit.
Thread Starter
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iTrader: (9)
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,069
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From: Waipahu HI; Phoenix AZ
Man, it's been awhile since I posted a pic up of my car...
been drumming too much in Rockband... way too much... as I seldom think of picking up the camera now
sinking too much into the drumset also, and been thinking of selling some Photog equipment to finance some better stuff.
Anyways... the following will be intended for those just starting to play around with their equipment... dudes, I'm in your boat, these are experiments. Hopefully, they'll encourage you guys to try some stuff.
But, before I got distracted with this whole Rockband drumming fiasco... I did some lighting studies about 4-5months ago. These were supposed to be a nighttime city shots, like I tried before
but with better lighting from strobes. Strobes would also alleviate THE MAJOR fun factor downer in photography... using a goddamn tripod. Plus, I could balance the background light with the subject lighting (no blown out background/properly lit subject.... or properly lit background/dar subject). That upper pic was actually adjusted heavily in Photoshop to compensate for a dark subject... in this case, my car.
Moving on... again, I like to shoot handheld, it lets you work quickly, especially if working in the "golden hour" or when doing sunset shots. A tripod would definitely hamper movement... been there, done that. The following were shot with just 2 strobes (my favorites... the Sunpak 383 super, even though I have a 430ex and 580ex II at my disposal). I positioned the side lighting low, about door handle level, making sure I angled the strobe so reflected lighting would not give me a front wheel that is lit in reflected light and a dark rear wheel like this:
The other strobe was at about the same level to light the front bumper. You want the strobe at a height and pointed to where you will not get a harsh shadow right beneath the bumper.
Here's my feeble attempts. It started raining, so I didn't get the night shots with a lighted city like I wanted. But it was good practice. Hopefully, I'll still have some of it the next time pick up the camera.
Strobist info: Sunpak 383 super camera left, Sunpak 383 super camera right, Canon 40D with Canon 55-250mm IS. Cheap stuff.
I'll just throw in this compression shot...
been drumming too much in Rockband... way too much... as I seldom think of picking up the camera now
sinking too much into the drumset also, and been thinking of selling some Photog equipment to finance some better stuff.Anyways... the following will be intended for those just starting to play around with their equipment... dudes, I'm in your boat, these are experiments. Hopefully, they'll encourage you guys to try some stuff.
But, before I got distracted with this whole Rockband drumming fiasco... I did some lighting studies about 4-5months ago. These were supposed to be a nighttime city shots, like I tried before
but with better lighting from strobes. Strobes would also alleviate THE MAJOR fun factor downer in photography... using a goddamn tripod. Plus, I could balance the background light with the subject lighting (no blown out background/properly lit subject.... or properly lit background/dar subject). That upper pic was actually adjusted heavily in Photoshop to compensate for a dark subject... in this case, my car.
Moving on... again, I like to shoot handheld, it lets you work quickly, especially if working in the "golden hour" or when doing sunset shots. A tripod would definitely hamper movement... been there, done that. The following were shot with just 2 strobes (my favorites... the Sunpak 383 super, even though I have a 430ex and 580ex II at my disposal). I positioned the side lighting low, about door handle level, making sure I angled the strobe so reflected lighting would not give me a front wheel that is lit in reflected light and a dark rear wheel like this:
The other strobe was at about the same level to light the front bumper. You want the strobe at a height and pointed to where you will not get a harsh shadow right beneath the bumper.
Here's my feeble attempts. It started raining, so I didn't get the night shots with a lighted city like I wanted. But it was good practice. Hopefully, I'll still have some of it the next time pick up the camera.
Strobist info: Sunpak 383 super camera left, Sunpak 383 super camera right, Canon 40D with Canon 55-250mm IS. Cheap stuff.
I'll just throw in this compression shot...