Toronto Photography Meetup Group

hello. i'm slowly getting my lighting gear and i have a few questions to ask the good folks of tpmg. i will be mainly shooting indoors and occasionally outdoors. family portraits, couples and kids portraiture.

i have (1x) 580EX II and (3x) YN-560; (4x) RF-602s and nothing else.

stands: what kind of stand i should be looking at, 8'/10'/13'? which is a good size that if i eventually move to let's say an AB1600/800 can still be strong enough to hold it.

umbrella: what size? shoot-thru and bounce?

bracket: i see a lot of cheap options from ebay ranging from $6-$35. should i just get what i can afford right now w/c is the cheaper option at $15 and wait till i start making money from this hobby then upgrade?

softbox: should i get this at 24'' plus an umbrella or just stick with 2 umbrellas right now?

TIA

my advice - dont skimp on the brackets. cheap ones will not hold up as you improve your equipment and they get heavier. Better to spend a few extra dollars now and get higher grade ones, otherwise, you'll end up with old brackets lying around that you've replaced with stronger ones.

then again, i have some brackets for sale if you want...ha ha

1. Stands - I would get a couple small stands for your speedlites and at least 1 large stand for use with ABs later on.
2. Umbrella: I would get a ~ 42inch(medium) to start with - most cost effect is a reflective one with a backing that can be removed so you can use as a shoot thru as well.
3. Bracket - just get one that you can afford right now - but I would recommend getting one with a good thumb screw to hold the flash in place
4. Softbox - I would start with the umbrellas first. Later on you can get the AB collapsible softboxes if need be.

not sure what the prices are, but a C-stand (is that the name?) with a bar that can be stretched out is pretty useful too.
Here's an example. this person uses a d40 with what seems like the kit lens, can't imagine them splurging on their lighting
http://decluttr.com/5485214713
http://decluttr.com/5485214713

That is not a C-stand .. this is a C-stand .. known for it's durability and rock solid stability but they are expensive and heavy - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/2 ... Stand.html

From the pictures it looks like a Manfrotto super boom is what you are describing. I have the 420b which is a lighter duty version which doesn't have the crank rotation functionality.

Personally I use one of these:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/302172-REG/Manfrotto_124_124_Clamp_for_3085.html

attached to a regular light stand, and use a monopod for the horizontal length. Of course your light/flash has to be light enough for the monopod not to flex the monopod (or get crushed by the clamp), and your light stand has to be sturdy enough not to tip (you may need a sandbag). Personally I use this combo with nothing heavier than a regular flash.

Yes you can buy the proper boom arm stand for $$$, but this is the cheap way; I bought the clamps used for $15 each at a camera sale, and the monopod I bought cheap at Factory Direct just for this use.

The monopod makes a great boom arm (as long as it can take the weight). It's even great for someone holding it on a portable shoot.

thanks for the responses guys..

chopper.. pm me more info please.

Seren Dipity/Delsorbo/mikefellh.. i should look into this manfrotto clamp as i have a monopod already.

No problem. Remember Strobist has an 'r' in it

I have two of these and they are rock solid:

http://www.vistek.ca/store/ProPhotoLigh ... older.aspx

Vistek also has their house brand of light stands, they begin with LS-xxxx in the model name - they are decent stands for the money - ~$35 for an 8' stand.

I have a Westcott 8' stand BNIB(ag) that I have not posted for sale yet, along with a packaged swivel bracket. I can bring it on Saturday if you wanted to see them when we meet.

Yeah, those are the mounts i started with then got the manfrotto metal ones later which carry more weight, etc. These are good ones though to start with as long as you dont have heavy equipment.

actually, for me, the clamping lever fell apart. It still works, just that I have to make sure I turn that handle carefully or else it will fall apart again.

And I don't think I'm hard on my gear or use heavy stuff, just speedlites and a standard umbrella.

So, YMMV.

haha.. sorry, didn't even notice until you pointed it out. thanks.

i just ordered these 8' Linco stands last night.. from the reviews it's decent.

mproxas, how do you like the stands?

I'm now in exactly the same boat you were in March. Looking to get some stands, umbrellas, and brackets.

Q, pm me if you're interested... I didn't know this thread was here. You saw how much I have

I think I may be able to help

Truth be told, I actually ran a search to find this thread. Somewhere in the back of my mind I seemed to recall that this thread was around.

PM sent.