Suggestion for off camera light setup

[Mo]

Hello all,

I'm looking for suggestions/recommendations on good, but not super expensive, off camera light setup to shoot wedding receptions, for example. Maybe a 3-4 off camera lights, with a trigger.

I've seen other photogs use an external flash with a softbox and the external on-camera flash setup, and get decent results. I realize it depends on the size of the room, so what would you all recommend?

Thanks!

[MyKey]

Easy set ups in order of cost:

China made flashes like these Shenzhen Yongnuo Photographic Equipment Co., Ltd. - Wireless remote controls, remote switches, and angle finders. You can get them from eBay

Manually adjust power as needed from each flash units


Any version of TTL flash like canon, Nikon, Vivatar, china made, etc, RadioPopper cube ($30) with RadioPopper JrX set ($150). With the cube mounted on the flash, the RP JrX receiver mounted to the cube, you can adjust the power of the light wirelessly by turning the knobs on the RP JrX transmitter. No TTL or High Speed Sync but manually adjusting the power anywhere in the reception hall makes it easy to get the right light

RadioPopper PX units ($500)or Pocketwizard ControlTL set up ($450) with Canon and/or Nikon have complete control over your flashes with either true TTL or ControlTL and High Speed Sync


Of course general options here but it gives you some ideas on what you can do and your options.

[Tom]

Strobist is a great resource for learning off-camera flash (possibly the best resource)

Midwest Photo Exchange Specializing in Off Camera Lighting, New and Used Photographic Cameras, Lighting, Printers, Medium and Large Format has a line of strobist gear. I use the LP160 flashes that cost around 150 each. They work great.

[Mo]

Great info! Thanks! Off to go 'learn' myself..haha.

[Mo]

So basically, if I'm shooting in conditions like the video below, would the LP160's give me similar light, if I had say 3 or 4, or would I need studio lighting to acheive that kind of look?

Wedding Reception Photography - YouTube

Wedding Reception Photography - YouTube

[Tom]

No speedlight is as powerful as the studio lights he was using. He was using pretty expensive studio lights, and using 4 of them.

What your images look like as a final product depend on how good you are at using them. It is very hard to use multiple off camera speedlights at a reception without lots of ugly, hard shadows everywhere.

[Mo]

Okay, that's what I figured. Maybe for now, I should invest in a LP160, 580EX II and PW's.. Would that be a good starting point?

[MyKey]

Or go with Alien Bee's 400 or 800 (both under $300 each) then either radio popper JrX set or the Paul Buff transmitters

Both options give you control over the lights wireless so if someone gets closer to a light you can turn the power down or visa versa. Been doing this for almost 15 years in one way or another with 2 or 3 lights. (I like two most of the time). Starting out adjusting in my camera now adjusting the lights


If you just want a simple triggering device I would ay away from Pocket Wizards. Much more expensive and with the china versions or the radio popper JrX for $150 a set they are better value in my book.

[FireHeart Photography]

You need to make sure that you like that look - I don't think the photog captureed the feeling of the evening - while he did get photos they were lit up like a floresent light - you can get much better mood light with speed lights with modifiers on them - they were in a tent - that's just one giant soft box - with directional speed lights I personally think you get a better look. Using radio poppers you can control them all from the back of your camera - just my opinion....

[Mo]

That's a very good point, Francie. I really need to look further into the radiopoppers, especially the px system and find out how it exactly works. Might be the direction I head into.

[nameBrandon]

Originally Posted by FireHeart Photography

You need to make sure that you like that look - I don't think the photog captureed the feeling of the evening - while he did get photos they were lit up like a floresent light - you can get much better mood light with speed lights with modifiers on them - they were in a tent - that's just one giant soft box - with directional speed lights I personally think you get a better look. Using radio poppers you can control them all from the back of your camera - just my opinion....

I was thinking the same thing. The guy certainly lit the place up, but he lost the entire feel of "evening wedding reception / party". If all he was doing was candids / party shots, I would've just gone with on-camera ETTL flash, 580EX etc.. and a bounce card, then dragged the shutter just a bit. You'd properly illuminate the subject(s) and still maintain the feel of the event.

As far as OCF, Alien Bees are certainly good starters, as are Calumet's Genesis line. You could always pick up some manual speedlite flashes and see if those work for you, though I'd suggest at least one ETTL flash in the mix. Yongnuo makes some decent cheap speedlites, though I'd want at least one name-brand unit.. Canon / Nikon.. even Metz might be fine.

I would really recommend against the cheap chinese triggers. I have the popular RF-602's and they work OK, but the batteries die quickly, and they don't tell you the batteries are low, they just stop working all the time. I've had a lot of mis-fires with them, just not great quality. I'll be replacing them with the new Cactus V5 triggers, but as others have mentioned Radio Poppers are great options as well, or of course, Pocket Wizards.

[Mo]

Brandon, do let us know how the Cactus V5 works for ya if you get it. I was looking real close at the RF-602 and the Cactus until the Radio Poppers were suggested. Especially the PX system that supposedly uses your camera's ETTL system? Do you know much about that?

[nameBrandon]

Originally Posted by Mo

Brandon, do let us know how the Cactus V5 works for ya if you get it. I was looking real close at the RF-602 and the Cactus until the Radio Poppers were suggested. Especially the PX system that supposedly uses your camera's ETTL system? Do you know much about that?

No, I rarely (maybe twice a year) do events, and when I do I use manual flash. I can see it being very helpful for those who do shoot events, so if that's you, I'd hold out for ETTL support.

[MyKey]

Originally Posted by Mo

Especially the PX system that supposedly uses your camera's ETTL system? Do you know much about that?

I know a little about eTTL what questions do you have! Even if it is not me, someone here on the forum surely can help you so ask away!

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by MyKey

I know a little about eTTL what questions do you have! Even if it is not me, someone here on the forum surely can help you so ask away!

Mo,

Mike is being very modest. He is SUPER knowledgeable about Speedlite OCF (off camera flash). Check out all of TriCoast's educational products. But before you do that go to their website and see that the proof is in their pudding.

I do not work for TriCoast but I have attended their OCF classes and learned a ton.