Shooting through umbrellas

Hyburnate

Hyburnate

Hyburnate

Soldato
Joined
29 Jul 2011
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Near Northants / MK
Okay, I give up. I need assistance from someone who knows what I need.

I want to have 2 flashes to shoot through umbrellas, later down the line I will probably buy a softbox but for now I'll start with the easiest light modifier. I'm going to use the Yongnuo 460's, but that's where I know what to buy stops. My little list is:

  • 2x Yongnuo 460s
  • 2x Shoot through umbrellas
  • 2x Light stands
  • Radio triggers (not sure which ones to buy, I wouldn't mind cabled but not sure it's possible to trigger two with wired)

Now the problem is, I'm not sure if I need some kind of head to attach the flash and the umbrella to the stand. So I'd appreciate some help.
I'm guessing an umbrella swivel will do it?
FYI: I'm reading through strobist currently :)
 
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Sh4rkie said:
What is your overall budget?

Have you any kit listed already?

What is the goal behind the purchases?
Click to expand...

"Meh" is the budget. Not too expensive but don't want it falling apart in my hands. I don't have any of the kit. The goal is to learn lighting but I want two to try my hand at some product photography, and granted to get the best results I'd have to add different lighting etc but I just want this to start off with. I'm probably best going Yongnuo for the flashes and the triggers as they work and aren't as stupidly high as Canons :)
 
It really does depend on budget because it's possible to get what you want very cheaply, but spend a bit more and you'll get something that will last you longer / be more useful so adding value.

prices delivered from 'bay, located in UK unless stated otherwise

Cheap cheap:
2 x lightstands (2.5kg max weight) = £21
2 x 33" white brolly = £11
2 x flash umbrella holder (type b) = £10
Total = £42

For flashes you have a choice at the budget end:
2 x YN560 II flash = £43 ea (more poweful / feature rich and better built kit than the YN460)
2 x g430c trigger set = £17 ea, you'd need two packs to get two RX's (flash end) and altho you only need one TX (mounted on the camera) it's handy to have a spare. I like the g430's as they offer a higher sync speed over other brands, very reliable firing my only gripe is the button positioning for off in the middle of the switch.
Flash / trigger total = £120

Or get
2 x YN560 III = £52ea (inc fake stofen) but they have wireless receivers built in. They don't work with the g430c above but work fine with a rf-602 or rf-603 trigger. I use my YN560 III's with some rf-602 triggers no major issues, the flash is great (i also use a Canon 580exII and a studio head so i can compare).
1 x YN602 trigger set = £17, you get the TX required to fire the flashes and have a spare RX which you could use on another non wireless flash.
Flash / trigger total = £121

I prefer the inbuilt wireless of the YN560III's because it makes a for a more stable platform on top of a light stand instead of bracket > trigger > flash, you have bracket > flash.

Tbh though if you can up your budget (not know what it really is doesn't help!) then you can get better kit with the umbrellas, stands and brackets. The flash choices i wouldn't change from the stuff listed above though unless you want to spend serious money on studio heads.
 
Light stand, I have one of these.

http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/product/bowens-compact-light-stand/BW6610/?tracking=|searchterm:BW6610

Umbrella I got these, take the top off and you can shoot through, leave it on as reflector.

http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/produ...ack-cover/AU3045/?tracking=|searchterm:AU3045

This is the bit that you put on top of the light stand

http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/produ...a-adapter/MF6830/?tracking=|searchterm:MF6830

Top end has a brass bolt with a screw thread to go into your flash (you might need the feet of the flash as an adaptor), and there is a hole in the middle where you stick in the umbrella.

Or you can get one with an hotshoe.

http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/produ...F6829/?tracking=|searchterm:umbrellla|adaptor
 
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Surely if I were to buy 2x YN-560 II's I could put one into slave mode and when triggering the first one that would set off the second. Or is there a noticeable delay?
 
You'd have the transmitter (TX) connected to the camera a receiver (RX) connected to each flash. When you release the shutter both flashes will fire. It's pretty simples, I did it! :D

Ah you don't want to buy the other RX. Slave mode should be okay.
 
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You can use optical slave (s1/s2) on one of the units but for the cost of the trigger you might as well buy one. Only problem comes when the slave unit is inside a softbox or hidden behind something and it doesn't see the flash. Triggers inbuilt or otherwise are far more predictable and handy to have.

My recommendation is the III's though, not the II's.

**Both flashes i've recommended are manual flashes as well so no ttl, same as the 460.

And also add in a couple of reflectors as well, cheap 5 in 1's are only £5 - £10. I've got loads of different ones, from standard sized round ones to more adult sized shapes and even they weren't expensive (1.5 x 1m for £13 at the time).
 
Sh4rkie said:
You can use optical slave (s1/s2) on one of the units but for the cost of the trigger you might as well buy one. Only problem comes when the slave unit is inside a softbox or hidden behind something and it doesn't see the flash. Triggers inbuilt or otherwise are far more predictable and handy to have.

My recommendation is the III's though, not the II's.

**Both flashes i've recommended are manual flashes as well so no ttl, same as the 460.

And also add in a couple of reflectors as well, cheap 5 in 1's are only £5 - £10. I've got loads of different ones, from standard sized round ones to more adult sized shapes and even they weren't expensive (1.5 x 1m for £13 at the time).
Click to expand...

From what I've found is that aside from build quality the only difference is that the III's can be triggered without another remote triggerer. It's just if I save a little more on the flashes I can splash out more on a monitor calibrator :p
I'm going to buy a grey card and a few reflectors :)
 
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