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how would a multiple canon speedlight setup compare to a basic studio lighting kit?
to get this in context, this would be for home use only, so the Pro/ reliability /durability /credibility is not an issue for me, as this would be used on non paying reluctant models lol
the comparison i want is in lighting ability/quality
the kit i was thinking is 3x580ex speedlights the st transmitter some stands, umbrellas, defuses reflectors etc
how would this compare to a 2/3 d-lite kit?
i already have 2 (one in for repair so maybe 1) 580ex and the transmitter, so a few reflectors etc wont cost me a lot of cash
I don't have a multiple EX set up - BUT I do use my 550EX speedlight as my trigger along with anything up to five other flashes - I have even built a soft box for the speed light.
The 550EX is as powerful as my elinchrome 400BX's -
The reason I started using it intitialy is that I had only a couple of portoflashes and needed the additional light.
The downsides to using EX's alone or in multiples is that they dont have model lamps so eyeballing your lighting setup is tricky
Additionally using it with my setup (with out a special shoe) triggers the other flashes with the focus beam - useless
and finally you get very few shots from the on board flash batteries - I use a Quantum Turbo battery which gives me anything up to 1000 shots you may find an adapter for use on all three - but you'll find the cabling ponderous
and finally finally your recharge time with on board batteries is lousy.
Apart from this even though I don't use the set up you suggest I suspect you'll get plenty of adjustable power and I guess it's a pretty portable system -
You will of course require various stands for the flashes ...
EX's are not cheap .......have you looked at various kits say from elinchrome - I can't believe there's a huge difference
Good Luck db
shameless BUMP
there must be more of you out there who use a multiple flash setup
well probably they noted how dismissive you are of those that take their time to pass on their limited or therwise opinions - ??
s'ok it's a last time
Quote: Well probably they noted how dismissive you are of those that take their time to pass on their limited or therwise opinions - ??
s'ok it's a last time
you are quite right i was rude, i wasn't being dismissive or unappreciative, i think i was waiting until i had more replies,
i do appreciate your reply
Steve
I use (up to) a 3 speedlite setup every now and then - 2 Nikon SB-600's and an SB-800... I find them pretty versatile and they're also a darn-sight more transportable than studio flash heads. I took the time to try to get my head around how flash lighting works, mainly via the Strobist website, and I find it quite a practical little setup.
I bought some of the cheapo eBay radio slave triggers to go with them and a couple of those funny looking, but actually quite effective inflateable softboxes. Not got any brollys yet, but imagine that I will at some time in the not-too distant future.
As you say, it might not look like the most professional of setups, but it does all the job that I need it to...
i think its the portability and ease of use that attracts me (being lazy)
and once you are comfortable in the setup and the results you can get, carrying an extra flash and a reflector or diffuser is easy, opening up more options
Steve
If it's any help...
I sometimes use a speedlight with one of those pop-up food tent thingys you can get from the local cookshop. Add a bit of more dense material, and it makes a great little dinky brolly, reflective or through light, which folds down to practically nothing in an instant.
There's also a useful snoot conversion made from black drinking straws, plastic (for the shroud/mount) and some Gaffa Tape. An idea I picked up from EOS Magazine..
Colin
How would it compare? well a speedlight kit would be more portable and take up a slightly less room.
Quality from speedlights and the like is good as they are powefil units.
You can get soft boxes for flashguns from Lastolite (Easybox £90 ?), alot smaller than for studio lights, brollies are an easy light mod too.
DIY accessories are quite easy to make.
An entry level light kit would offer certain accessories for the kit. The lights will have modelling lamps, making it easier to assess how the subject will be lit(spl?). The whole kit will probably cost the same as a new speedlight with accessories.
Just checked the price on the 580ex speedlight, and they ain't cheap!, so if you need another try s/hand, or I would be tempted to go for maybe the Dlite 2 or Bowens equivalent, and don't forget Interfit too.
I have used my flash gun along with my Bowens 2 light kit in a studio setup and achived good results.
Trev
thx for the comments
i have decided to go for the speed lights for now, the beauty of photography is that there are so many areas you can delve into, i see the speed lights and bits as a small delve into the studio area, in time i may look more seriously into a full studio setup
Steve
Quote: How would a multiple canon speedlight setup compare to a basic studio lighting kit
Costly for what it is and somewhat limiting, though can be very portable. How much will three Eos flash units cost ? about the same as a fairly decent three head studio kit.
If you want to go the flash head way, just use one EOS flash and a couple of second hand flash units from the likes of sunpak, viviter etc. safe voltages only matter if your connecting the flash to the camera.
Thats true, then of course its the cost of lighting stands, flash and brolly brackets and wireless or slave cells, that can add an extra couple of Hundred pounds unless you take the ebay route. Also unless your going DIY the cost of brollys, softboxes etc.
I work on the theroy of not sending a boy to do a mans job.
I'd winged one shoot using FGs but realised that so bought a stuido set - easier and more control.
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