For those who read Strobist ...

[mamarazzi_squared]

Is anyone participating in Lighting 201?

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2007/05...hting-102.html

Also, there is a reference to a lighting kit that they are selling, including a Vivitar 285 HV flash. Anyone have any experience with this flash or ever purchase one of these sets?

http://mpex.com/Strobist/StrobistKits.htm

Finally, I am thinking of purchasing a book on lighting as I have no experience in this area and the Strobist site recommends Light - Science and Magic. It has great reviews on Amazon too. Has anyone read this book?

Thank you!

[ngoduyviet]

Get the kit, you won't be disappointed I wish they re-produced that 285Hv when I bought mine. I already broke one 285HV. And instead of the battery pack, get a Black-box from Al Jacob, worth every penny and just like the 285HV, it's a work-horse.

I don't have that book, so I can't comment on that.

[jamiewallace]

The book is great. Does a great job of explaining the math and physics of light, then how to apply it. It's a little nerdy, and would be a great photography textbook in a class. I Highly recommend it.

[mike_sax]

The Vivitar 285HV and the 283s are great little flash units which work very well with Quantum 1+ battery packs. I have 3 of each which I use with umbrellas and softboxes on location. They are very easy to add gels to and will do some excellent lighting in various situations. You can use a pocket wizard to trip your main light and an optical button on the additional units for a complete lighting system. The only drawback to using them in the studio you have no modeling light capability.