_MSH0605 - Strobist Kit

This is most of my new Strobist set up.

I say most, I've probably forgot to include something...

 

I'll list where and why I got them, and for how much.

 

So frooom the top...

 

2x Lastolite Umbrella Tiltheads with Hotshoes - Warehouse Express - £16.99 each.

Its compact and light weight, but nice and sturdy. Its got a ratcheted tilt action, so its more secure, and has a thumbscrew for securing a brollie shaft.

The shoes strange. It has a metal edge, out of contact of the pins, but the middle is a sort of soft metallic covering.

Its triggered the flash a couple of times when putting it on, so some electrical tape is on the cards...

 

2x Lastolite Lumen8 Pneumatic Stands - Warehouse Express - £24.46 each.

As I'm just dabbling in the world of Strobism, I couldnt justify buying the Manfrotto Nano stands, as much as I'd like them.

I toyed with the idea of cheap Ebay ones, but in the end settled for these. Safer bet buying from a reputable brand.

Nice and sturdy, and not too heavy. Fold down to about 85cms. About 95-100cm with the flash stand ontop.

Air cushioned, so it doesn't go colapsing down and trappin' your fingers. Really well built.

 

2x Westcott 43" Convertible umbrellas. - Bought from a private seller, here on Flickr, although available from the States. - £32.50 each.

As endorsed by the Strobist, David Hobby himself.

These big arsed umbrellas lull you into a false sense of security.

They double fold, as in the umbrellas its self is hinged, and the shaft is in 2-3 pieces. Collapsed, they're only 15in long, and fit nicely in the side pocket of my carry case.

When opened, they're huuuuge!

I got the 'Convertible' ones. They're satin white, with a removable black back, so they can be used as reflective, with the cover on, or shoot throughs, with the cover off.

The shafts are a bit thin, but I've reinforced mine with cut down pencils. See here.

Over all, really pleased with them. Good light transmission when used reflectively, and lovely soft, even light when used as shoot through. Plus they fold up nice n small.

 

2x Nikon SB-28 Speedlights/Flashguns. - Bought second hand. One back when I started photography 3 years ago, the other a couple of weeks back - Expect to pay between £70-120.

I got one back when I started in photography, a few years back with an old Nikon F90x film camera.

I could have got another flash cheaper. But it would have meant learning to use another, and I still struggle with the SB-28 =D

Nice and powerful, GN of about 118 (ft), 36 (m). Reliable. And really user friendly, like most Nikon strobes.

 

The Cactus V4's.

2x Revievers. 1x Transmitter. - Direct from Gadget Infinity.Set = £25.91 aprox. Spare Reviever = £15.53 aprox.

After reading so many horror stories about the V2's, and then the first batch of V4's, I was apprehensive.

But after the second batch was released, good reviews started coming out, and people started raving about them.

For the price, I figured it was a safe gamble. They don't cost much. And if they do what people say, then they're definitely worth it.

I haven't had any problems with mine, at all, so far. And thats with alot of testing.

Theres not much to say really...

If you're wondering how mine are attached, see here.

 

1x 1 meter coiled Screwlock PC to Screwlock PC sync cord. - Flash Zebra - £11.06.

I got this for quick, off the cuff, off camera shooting.

Has the Nikon Screwlock fitting, so it attaches securly to the camera and flash.

Relaxed its about 1ft long. Stretched out it reaches about 1m.

 

2x custom LEE gel sets. - www.skategoat.com/ - £3.29 each.

Put these custom sets together myself. Wide range to choose from, and premade sets available too.

Mine have full, 1/2 & 1/4 CTO. full, 1/2 & 1/4 CTB. full, 1/2 & 1/4 window Green. Lee 103 Straw & Lee 790 Moroccan Pink.

 

2x Nikon AS-19 Flash Stands - Warehouse Express - £5.25 each.

For table top shooting.

They have a cold shoe that'll take any flash [except the SB-900], not just Nikons.

Thats it really...

 

Uniross 2500MAh rechargeable batteries and cases. - Batteries from World Of Batteries - Ebay Cases from RPT Batteries and chargers

I got the batteries at the same time as two Uniross X-Press 700 chargers, which each came with 4 of the same batteries.

I'm now rocking 16 in total. 4 in each of the flashes. 8 spare, 4 for each.

The cases I bought to keep track of what needed charging and what didn't.

Blue = ready to use. Red = needs charging.

See, I can be organised...

 

2 x Hama 1 meter coiled PC - PC sync cords. - Speed Graphic - £7.50 each.

A pair of male PC to male PC cords. Got these for when working close up with both flashes, incase the radio triggers don't like the close range.

 

1x Multipurpose Hotshoe Adapter - Flash Zebra - £6.95 aprox.

Got this for when I'm working close up and want to use both strobes.

This also works well when using my light tent.

This behind it, on a Cactus V4 reciver, this leading to both strobes via PC cables.

 

The Battery Case

4x Uniross AAA Hybrio batteries for the Cactus V4 recievers.

4 [was 5]x Duracell L1028/23A 12v Alkaline batteries - Cactus Transmitter.

2x button cell type batteries - Nikon ML-L3 IR remote, for my D70.

The Uniross AAA Hybrios are the only real interesting thing in there.

They come fully charged. Are rechargeable. And if not used, will hold their full charge for upto a year!

Perfect for the recievers.

 

Calumet Extra Large Tripod Bag - Calumet - £29.99.

To carry everything in, basically...

I probably could have got away with the shorter one. But I figured I'd go with this.

Plenty of space in there for the stands.

The side pocket it just over 15in long, so takes the Westcott umbrellas perfectly, and it has a little pocket inside that which I keep cables, the AS-19 stands, and other bits and pieces in.

 

 

 

And I think thats it really...

 

Anything else you wanna know.

Feel free to ask.

 

 

 

Done