I want to get into photography....

[bonfire]

Re: I want to get into photography....

Meh, for me it is all about light.

Unless I am shooting indoor sporting events, my kit lens rarely lets me down. Do I look as pro as some dude with a 70-200 F2.8? Or those kids you see running about with their L-series lenses on the front of their canon? No.

I am currently sporting two SB-800's and I think a friend and I are about to pull the trigger on 4 more SB-600's. Remote lighting is just so incredibly handy to have, it allows you so much more control with what is around you. Even in broad daylight, an external flash can make such a huge impact on the subject matter.

Also I wouldn't waste too much time/money on books. I read Strobist mainly for the challenges. I also read a few other photo blogs out there.

But like RONDAL said, the photos are only as good as the eye behind them. Perhaps a book on Composition would be handy to have. Other than that, just going out shooting is the only way to get better. Experiment.

I saw Mike Boldt's photos on this site, went out that night, brought my tripod and a roll of duck-tape. Found a parkade and tried my hand at it. They turned out pretty good considering I just taped my tripod to my car.

I shoot Nikon on Digital. I shoot Canon on film. Mainly because I was given my Film gear (AE1's and lenses). I like the feel and the interface of the Nikons.

[RONDAL]

Re: I want to get into photography....

Meh, for me it is all about light.

Unless I am shooting indoor sporting events, my kit lens rarely lets me down. Do I look as pro as some dude with a 70-200 F2.8? Or those kids you see running about with their L-series lenses on the front of their canon? No.

I am currently sporting two SB-800's and I think a friend and I are about to pull the trigger on 4 more SB-600's. Remote lighting is just so incredibly handy to have, it allows you so much more control with what is around you. Even in broad daylight, an external flash can make such a huge impact on the subject matter.

Also I wouldn't waste too much time/money on books. I read Strobist mainly for the challenges. I also read a few other photo blogs out there.

But like RONDAL said, the photos are only as good as the eye behind them. Perhaps a book on Composition would be handy to have. Other than that, just going out shooting is the only way to get better. Experiment.

I saw Mike Boldt's photos on this site, went out that night, brought my tripod and a roll of duck-tape. Found a parkade and tried my hand at it. They turned out pretty good considering I just taped my tripod to my car.

I shoot Nikon on Digital. I shoot Canon on film. Mainly because I was given my Film gear (AE1's and lenses). I like the feel and the interface of the Nikons.

What are you using to trigger your SB600's CLS?
If so, I would strongly caution you against investing in tons of SB600's. You kind of reach a point with them (where I am at currently) where CLS just wont cut it anymore and you will want/need something more flexible. Then when it comes time to move to a different system the SB600's suck cause there is no PC port on them. Plus with CLS you can only control a max of 3 groups with a SU-800 or SB-900

If you aren't using CLS, why buy such expensive flashes when you can get a sb-24/26/80dx for half the price of a new SB600, and it will come with a PC jack.

I'm looking for ONE sb800 and that is so I can do a high speed sync override with my cyber sync triggers and get sync speeds over 1/250th of a second. My SB600's are great except they have less power than my SB26, cost over twice the price, have no PC jack so I need a $30 hotshoe PC adaptor, and have no optical slave. Talk about weaksauce.



Reading books that are free isn't a bad thing, and if you dont know a lick about photography is a great way to learn the basics. Obviously like anything sitting in a dark room reading and not getting out with your camera wont get you anywhere. But for example Bryan Peterson's book, at least when you go out there you will do it with a purpose knowing what that tool in your hand does, and how to operate all of its features.

[bonfire]

Re: I want to get into photography....

Meh, I haven't had a huge problem with CLS.

We are also debating some radio stuff, and using cheaper flashes. We have a line on some cheap 600's.

Let me know what you think of the Cybersyncs.

[RONDAL]

Re: I want to get into photography....

how cheap? for the right price i might be interested in a few as well, its just hard to justify $260 for retail + a $35 sync when i could go buy a SB800 for that price, or 2 SB26's.

the cybersyncs are great. I just did a test with the gf. got her to take my flash and receiver down to street level and walk away from our building. i was triggering it over 2.5 blocks away from the 24th floor. thats a good 350'.

also managed to do in the elevator on the way up while she was in the parking garage and i was on the 24th floor. so it goes through walls and concrete rather well.

[RONDAL]

Re: I want to get into photography....

This is my new lighting setup I will be running. Sooooo much better than nikon's CLS. I don't know how I put up with it for so long.

Nikon D90 w/ Cybersync CST transmitter attached.
Max sync @ 1/320th of a second



My other two SB-600 lights on Manfrotto lightstands. Needed a Hama hotshoe adapter to plug the receiver cord into to fire the flash cause SB600's dont come with them stock (annoying).



This setup will now give me 300'+ of range in any direction, through materials and structures.

The CLS system allows 30' of range and must be line of sight. The CLS system also only allows a max sync speed of 1/200th of a second.

[stefan]

Re: I want to get into photography....

cool toys

[BillyJoelR]

Re: I want to get into photography....

That's just intense.
Highly likely that I am getting my first DSLR Camera & Lens Kit tomorrow.
I am so excited.

[MusicalGenius]

Re: I want to get into photography....

Oh? That was a quick decision, what did you decide on?

[RONDAL]

Re: I want to get into photography....

yeah watcha gettin and from where?

[bonfire]

Re: I want to get into photography....

Very slick. The 600's we are looking at are from a family friend. They aren't new.

But after doing some research on these Cybersyncs and talking to a buddy of mine who is actually looking to sell his, as he just bought some p-dubs. I think I might invest into some.

[RONDAL]

Re: I want to get into photography....

they are WELL worth it. just did a shoot out in a canola field. worked flawlessly unlike my garbage CLS that gave me issues shooting into the sun

[BillyJoelR]

Re: I want to get into photography....

Oh? That was a quick decision, what did you decide on?

Wasn't really that quick.
I have been reading / research for some time now.
Pretty excited

yeah watcha gettin and from where?

I looked for the guy you recommended but he's on vacation or something.


The decision for sure is...
Body: Canon EOS 50D
Lens 1: Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II
Lens 2: Canon EF-S 18-200mm IS f 3.5-5.6

Will purchase from Steven @ The Camera Store.

[RONDAL]

Re: I want to get into photography....

dean was off today, he's definetly not on vacation haha. he was even kind enough to come in on his day off today to help me sort out my hotshoe sync issue i was having with my sb-600's.

dont know steve but they all seem to be a pretty good group of guys, unless you get the idiot who just started with the pony tail. he seems like a bit of a space cadet.

[MusicalGenius]

Re: I want to get into photography....

Nice decision, enjoy!

[RobG]

Re: I want to get into photography....

Is the line of sight the main downside to the SB-600?