Strobist - How to get started & how to do it for cheap!

[longclawson]

Great concise little video. Cheers, my friend!

[whoppers1000]

enjoyed your video. Just wondering, can you explain on your next video how to use the dials on the vivitar 285hv. I just bought 3. they seem to have a lot of power.

[clarksta771]

hey marlon, the umbrella holder in this vid, what make is it and where can i buy it, cheers bud...your videos are great!!!

[davidccastillo]

lmao @ Wack

Wack this and that. Too much wacking in this video lmao.

[theluxvision]

Where can i find a good kit with umbrellas flash and stands?

[locopoco24]

Marloon your awesome. As a photographer, I feared strobe because it always seemed to complicated. But you make it easy and i'm eager to try :)

[peachteao]

hey i was wondering how you built that dual flash kit adapter

[johnb12339]

if you shoot Nikon, it's so much easier to use the inbuilt flash controller that most of the cameras have. You'll spend a little more buying the flashes, but you'll actually use them. Being able to control each individual flash's output from the camera is the only way to go. Just set up each flash on slave (on a separate channel), and just adjust them like to do aperture and shutter speed (or you can be lazy and uncreative and use TTL - which has it's place too)

[highroller921]

I'm just wondering, I have another flash gun that i got in a camera package, if i wanted to, can the jianisi part on the hot shoe of the camera work with 2 units on each flash?

[GetGnarVideos]

Would you be able to send me a link of where you bought the jianisi's ?

[marloon88]

@GetGnarVideos I have both good and bad news for you. The bad news is that it's quite hard to find those Jianisi PT-04TMs now. However, the good news is that there are better alternatives to them now - First of all, I'd highly recommend the Alienbees Cybersync - these triggers WORK, however, they are a little bit more pricey. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, go for the Ebay YN RF-602s. I've never tried them before but they have a following in the photography/strobist community.

[unidigistudios]

Is it really that hard to get a flash and radio triggers and NOTHING else? :O I would NEVAR! carry around all that equipment, whenever I need to mount my flashes, I mount them on my lovely manfrotto tripods :). I go lightweight, all I carry is my flash, radio trigger, my long lens (EF 100-400 f/4.5L) and ultra wide angle lens (EF-S 10-22 f/3.5).

[samuraikills]

how is this video related to the music video of walk with me in hell?

youtube, you confuse me

[DjN1te]

Where did you get your flash umbrella mount from? I cant find one like that at all

[peacekiddington]

sweet vid, thanks for the insight!

[DMIMAGE]

This was great, these flashes will work fine with the newer Nikon DSLR's correct? Like the D700.

[pakistheshit]

i am just starting into strobist and bought flash and triggers but need advice on stand , bracket, umbrella or soft box. i really like your equipment and need help on where did you bought them? could you please name them again. also instead of umbrella could i use softbox with this setup? thanks man

[cannockone]

i have thease and will work both ,minolta 2800 and helios 228flash at the same time .no need for sink cord ,or another hot shoe adaptor...just good batteries all round ,if you going pro then buy better quality ...just incase........

[cannockone]

i have a set of thease .and thay work fine ,with old minolta 2800af flash .and helios 228..at the same time .and you dont need the sink cable .or another hot shoe adaptor..useing manual setting on the flashes..just make sure you have good batteries all round.if you are going pro then invest in better gear just in case,only nikon give problems according to ebay .......sellers...

[Tintin19]

you said that flash trigger doesn't work on canon flashes...what if you have vivitar and canon flashes and you want to use it at the same time...what flash trigger do you recommend to be able to use both flashes

[travelingangela]

hey there, really great video! i have a d5000 and i want to use an off camera flash. :) what is the model of your flash? i only hear vivitar h something something lol so yeah can you tell me the specific name thanks.

[marloon88]

@travelingangela The flash highlighted in the video is the Vivitar 285HV. It can be purchased online for $90.

[b4rnaby]

Thanks for the video it helped me enormously. I got the rf-602 triggers and the new yn-560 flash from yongnuo as well as everything else you mentioned. Simply awesome!

[marloon88]

@b4rnaby Thanks for the comment! I really appreciate it! The YN560 is a great flash and the RF 602 is a great trigger for it!

[CountryMaster16]

i would recommend buying a softbox rader then an umbrella because the umbrella loses alot of light because of the shape

[marloon88]

@CountryMaster16 Softboxes and umbrellas are very different modifiers. Softboxes can effectively drop your flash exposure by one stop due to the amount of diffusers that they use (Internal being -1/2 stop and external being another -1/2 stop in diffusion. Softboxes are direct modifiers whereas umbrellas are indirect modifiers. Umbrellas on the other hand have indirect spill and it is hard to control that spill which you might translate it into "losing a lot of light because of the shape".

[marloon88]

@CountryMaster16 softboxes are more effective when used with stronger studio strobes as oppose to being used with hot shoe flashes. A lot of hot shoe based softboxes tend to be small and ineffective forcing its user to place them really close to their subject. The ability to use larger softboxes (Photoflex Medium, Large and X-Large) and other larger light modifiers (parabolic umbrellas) are the appeal to using studio strobes (portable or not).

[lukeshooting]

@minefieldz The Nikon CLS has two major downsides. The first (and less) is cost. You have to have all Nikon flashes. Canon does the same thing. Second (and biggest down side) it is all IR driven. The control flash has to see the other flashes. Using strobist techniques, you just don't have that sometimes. Also in bright sunlight, the IR is easily over powered. I use pocket wizards and shoot manual. If you want to really go "pro" and keep your TTL use radio poppers with your nikon flashes.

[solypec]

could i use cow boy slash transmitters and receivers?

[marloon88]

@solypec I would recommend using the RF-602 transmitters instead of the cowboy flash transmitters.

[Minefieldz]

I dont want to use vivitar - Nikon CLS system is one of the most advanced flash systems. Guys a bit of advise from pro not looking to short cut his work and quality. Nikon's flashes are perfectly synced to their system and for that reason you can reky on the fact that the exposures will work out eveytime

[marloon88]

@Minefieldz I am not a huge ETTL/iTTL fan or advocate due to it's high price, low power output, and variability/inconsistency when in actual use. The Nikon CLS system does work well when running and gunning but for what it is worth, I'd rather buy expensive monolights/pack and head systems that allow me to use a larger array of modifiers and give me more power to overpower the sun.

[Lakhena05]

how much would all this cost>?

[marloon88]

@Lakhena05 each light system costs about $150 USD. Flash being $90, and the light stand, umbrella, and bracket costs $50-60.

[writeDVD]

Great instructional video, clear, straightforward, excellent information. Thanks.

[marloon88]

@writeDVD Thank you for the great comment!

[brilliantboy88]

Cool vid. Lots of info. Thanks for sharing.

[marloon88]

@brilliantboy88 thank you for the comment! I appreciate it!

[E510]

you simplified what I was wondering what I needed to do/ still get. I have a D40, SB600, Vivitar 283, Yongnuo CTR-301P. As well as the 35mm f/1.8 and 18-55. Basically need the umbrellas, stands and umbrella holders. I just have one question about the Yongnuo kit, the receivers have a switch L/off/W. What are these for?

Thank you for your informative video!

[E510]

@E510

SO I just did a search on the Yongnuo question and found out what the switch was for. What do you recommend for flash mount/umbrella holder? I like Adorama.com so if you could advise which on that site (or any for site, really) is 'good enough'. I am all about cheap ya know..

[MrJbrown789]

Thank you soooo much for sharing this information. I wanted to know about something affordable and easy to manage... this is exactly what I was looking for.. WORTH THE TIME!!!! :)

[THRobinson]

Great video... VERY helpful. Just starting to step up my 'game' from hobby to professional, working on a portfolio and well, since not making money at it yet, needed an alternative to $550 Canon 580EX's and other expensive stuff. Seriously... $550 for a light the blinks. :)

Was looking up info about the Vivitar's when I luckily came across this video. Should make some more. Very helpful.

[Keefus]

marloon88, thank you for your video. I found it very helpful because I'm brand new to this aspect of photography and you answered most of my questions. However, you said you would tell how and where to buy these items, but my speakers are not the best. I figured out the slaves and the flash unit. But cannot find the stand, the bracket that holds the falsh and umbrella to the stand, nor where to find the umbrellas themselves. Thanks again.

[KidteeHello]

I thought you were going to tell us where to Purchase the Items? Just saying Ebay is a tad vague can you be more Specific? Also what is the name of Mount for the Flash and Umbrella? having a hard time finding it.:D Neat video I have alien bees and Ellechromes and I have been looking for an alternative. Something i can take out and about without worrying about my pricey Equipment. Ellechromes and alien bees can be very compatible with the Ellenchromes being the Triggering light. Thanks!

[StuartLoria]

Thank you for the video it was useful to me

[HaxXx1]

What does a PC sync cable even do? I have a 430exii (canon) looking to buy the Cactus V4's...would I still need the PC sync cable? I have a canon 1000d...Im not going to be mounting it on a lighting stand with umbrellas or anything...Just using it to use my flash off camera.

[MrFishdale]

the answer!!!! thanks dude!!!! cheers!

[keldererik]

Very informative. I'd like to see the video about the dual flash kit adapter.

[MrFishdale]

niced vid's! wer can i order those equip.? ty!

[mauriocrawford]

I like the video alot! When you gonna load some more stuff bro? Don't leave us hangin. I'm gonna subscribe but get back to loading more vids man. Good job thus far. Don't worry about the critics. Eat the fish and throw away the bones. Thanks again. We're waiting for more.

[dushiin]

do i need to buy male to male pc sync. the pc sync that came with the flash triiger dont fit 

[forzabrianmicheal]

Good video man - where do you purchase most of your equipment?

[toolaterudi]

ty for sharing! this helped me out a lot!

[Legacylout]

Upgrade the triggers to rf-602's! I had the PT-04TM and they sat the flash too high on the Umbrella bracket for my liking... RF-602s dont and are more reliable :)

[frogsoda]

Nice Job! Very Informative I have one of those Vivitar strobes, but I did not know about the Remotes for them. Where is the best place to get all of this stuff? Ebay?

[shotsforbands]

@marloon88 I don't know why people bother making negative comments when you've tried to give people advice on starting out based on your own experiences. I found your video really helpful. Thanks for taking the time to create it. I look forward to future posts :)

[toffetots]

are u pinoy sir??? if yes where do you buy strobes kits here in the philippines

[dipmvideos]

great video! i'm actually thinking of making one like this too!

i really enjoyed watching!

[dpenton]

Where did you buy your gear?

[biggav5555]

you didnt say where to get the umbrella's, stands, brackets or flashes.

[toms31]

Wonderful Video!!! Excellent presentation. 

[plastikjute2009]

Somebody trying to be cool in presenting his personal equipment in a muttering style. The owner may be so proud about his equipment that he wants to share it with the world. - The audience will learn nothing about photography or lightning by watching this. 10 minutes I wasted in my life - and one more minute to prevent other people to waste their precious time by writing down these lines.

[marloon88]

@plastikjute2009

I respect your honesty, but there is no need to bash the author nor the video. This video may work for some, and not work for others. This video highlights the equipment that is needed to get beginner photographers into lighting. It does not talk about lighting techniques or photography at all.

I am glad that you watched the entire thing. that means that I was able to keep you interested for an entire 10 minutes - which is a lot harder to do than you think ;)

[sandrodz]

@marloon88 video was pretty helpful, getting down on some details. I've never used light before, and I'm experimenting with different set-ups. Unfortunately there is not too much of info about this on the internet, and your video helped me clear up some points.

regarding comment above, gee, who would be proud of vivitar :D it's such a cheap flash :P

[Ikoniak]

@marloon88

This video helped me out A LOT! Thank you Marloon, don't listen to what that other guy says. I now have a set up close to yours, with AMAZING results, all for SUPER cheap.

Thanks again!

[MrJbrown789]

@marloon88 THIS VIDEO IS JUST WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR!! thank u marloon88.. please post more!

[297Music]

@plastikjute2009 I don't respect "your honesty" because you didn't even read the title of the video. It says "HOW TO GET STARTED & DO IT FOR CHEAP". It never mentions that I will teach you about photography or any techniques. Glad you wasted 10 mins of your life.. guess what? You never gonna get it back.. MWAHAHAHAHA!

[spacefaget]

@plastikjute2009 Since when do flashes produce lightning?

Dumbass.

[punkd1]

@plastikjute2009 You're an idiot.

[azodyze]

@plastikjute2009 shit i learned 5 things first thing i learned was i can get cheap ass triggers on EBAY!!! second thing i learned was that , velcro is needed for everything in the world lol 3rd thing i learned was there are other lighting systems that may work well then my nikon cls system 4th thing i learned is how cheap it can be to get great results and the 5th and final thing i learned was that drinking hatorade (hater-rade) is causing you to act like a bitch on this guys comments ....

[agun17]

@plastikjute2009

Actually I found it quite helpful.

[perchard01]

you dont it doesnt make it any diffent weather its higher or not

[marloon88]

@perchard01 The height of the flash matters when you are bouncing the flash into a modifier. If you fire the flash into the center of the modifier, it produces an even distribution of light around the modifier, making it more effective.

[CountryMaster16]

@perchard01 it makes a diffrent, if you fire it at an 45% angle very high you´´l an butterfly lighting insted when you place it in the same high as the face and poit in straight on or a little higher and agle it then you will get a totaly other picture the shadows will fall diffrent and so on

[perchard01]

@CountryMaster16 yess i know that but im taking the hight of the flash in the modifier not the height of the whole assembally

[dipmvideos]

@perchard01 it does make a difference. you want the light to hit the middle of the umbrella in order for the light to be defused evenly.

[tukerfx]

@perchard01

Actually it can make a difference, depending on to light pattern that is output by the specific flash used. You might want to read up on quality, not quantity of light.

You might also do a little research before you attack someone who's trying to help.

[tukerfx]

@perchard01 Actually it can make a difference, depending on to light pattern that is output by the specific flash used. You might want to read up on quality, not quantity of light.

You might also do a little research before you attack someone who's trying to help.

[perchard01]

@tukerfx i suggest you do some reasearch and test it as i have recently done using a light meter and batch tests on diffrent heights of the flash inside the umbrella and guess what it didnt, make any differance well not enough to change the aperance of a phot to the naked eye or even an arificial one or a camera.

[pangrac1]

Great video! Realy helps me out what to buy and why.

But which flasjhes to use now, because old 285HV Vivitars were probably great but new ones which are now made in China and not in Japan are pieces if sh:t and if they work they dont last long (see BH shop reviews!) and new owner of Vivitar dont want to repair them or give any warranty! Do you konw any other alternative types?

[marloon88]

@pangrac1

I have bought 3 285HVs from the BH store. I know about those reviews and I tried to rationalize it by comparing how many users were happy with their and how many users were not. BH reviewers range from those who don't know all the way to those who whine and complain (sometimes thats me!)

[marloon88]

@pangrac1

For $90 I decided to take the jump and buy 3 of them. I have never had any problems of them breaking on me. One of my 285HVs have had the broken foot issue mainly because I was stupid enough not to sandbag my lights. (I will have a video on this soon enough).

[dima9944]

Nice vid, but I don't understand why you connected the flash to the radio slave with the PC cord instead of just sticking it on the bottom. Seems a pointless extra step?

[marloon88]

@dima9944

It's definitely NOT a pointless step. when you join the receiver and the flash together at the hot shoe of the receiver and mount them together onto a flash bracket, The flash becomes higher than where it should be. This prevents your flash direction from hitting the center of your modifier (ie. umbrella).

[marloon88]

@dima9944 In addition to my previous reply, when you join the receiver and the flash together, the L bracket used to connect to the umbrella adapter is COMPLETELY unstable, and you can be come the nervous wreck on a shoot.

When on a shoot, you will have no time to worry about that sort of stuff!

[dima9944]

@marloon88 Makes sense. Thanks for replying, I hadn't thought if that.

[biffy7]

Very nice work.

[pomeranets]

great video, thanks a bunch

[NGEntertainment]

I have the same flash, but would those triggers work with my Nikon D40?

I want to make it wireless.

[NGEntertainment]

I have a Nikon D40x and my brother just gave me that exact flash, a Vivitar 285 HV.

I'm not sure how old it is though.

So can I use those transmitter/receivers with my equipment?

Where can I get them?

[KrisMo327]

Hey great video! i got a lumix DMC-FZ8 and i got an external flash that i got cheap but my camera dont have an hot shoe how can i get it to work together? im new into photo.

[elijahdomingo]

excellent!

[photoman022]

very good, very informative

[dakotajacksmith]

great video boss. thanks a lot.

[chucknorris175]

I just bought a nikon d40 and want to shoot skateboard photography so I deffinately need some off camera flashes. Should I get the 285hv because I may be able to get one used for pretty cheap.

[sminxsmjs]

hey marloon88.. you are basically ME. my equipment is almost the same as yours, i have the same stand, wireless triggers, 285HV, a different umbrela, nonetheless i feel the same as you. my budget sucks but i keep and keep shooting! if i had done a video about this it'd be exactly as yours. respect, i'll subscribe fo sho.

[herrpinkie]

great video! thanks much man

[marloon88]

@herrpinkie Thank you so much! There is way more to come! Including small gear updates such as a cybersync review + comparison.

[SenoreQueso]

Mate, I swear, you deserve an award for doing this all in one take. Very nicely done. Good job!

Is the 285HV worth it though? Are the manual controls good? And can you directly mount it on a Nikon D40?

[marloon88]

@SenoreQueso Thanks! It was definitely tough to get that all in one take. But I'm practicing on my presentation technique and teaching style! I hope my newer episodes turn out better. haha.

[marloon88]

@SenoreQueso Also, The 285HV is definitely worth it. The newer models are allowed to be mounted onto the Nikon D40. But personally, I'd suggest buying yourself a TTL capable flash first (such as the sb600) prior to stepping into manual strobes. The reason is, the 285HV has a minimum power setting of 1/16 which is quite strong when used indoors and when you are using large apertures.

[roberthemsley2]

i bought really cheao gear for my d60, flash guns cost £30 and wireless triggers cost £15. all works great.

flash guns were called yn640

[naignik]

my hotshoe doesnt fits on my flash

[SenoreQueso]

@naignik I really don't think you're teaching style and presentation could get much better. This was pretty ace. :D

But thanks for the reply. I'm looking to grab an older Nikon flash that has at least TTL on it, for convenience. My main purpose would be to use it off camera (via hotshoe-PC adapters and the such) for more "studio" work, but I would like to be able to mount it on camera easily, too. Maybe an SB-75 or so.

I'll probably be back later with questions on umbrellas :P

Cheers.

[WordIndTV]

flavors?

[hockeynut01709]

really helpful video, very in depth :) will subscribe :)

[wondnaereh]

You didn't include the info you said you would. Please give names of items and where you got them and how much. Also, I have a Nikon SB800, can you please tell me which remote t4rigger works well for me and cheap please, I am poor. Thank you.

[Epsileon]

Wondnaereh. The new Jianisi triggers are cheap and VERY VERY reliable. I havnt had a SINGLE missfire yet! ebay- Yongnuo RF 602b

[staskhara]

Tested with the following flash models: * Canon SpeedLite 580EX II, 580EX, 550EX, 540EZ, 520EZ, 430EX II, 430EX, 430EZ, 420EX, 420EZ, 380EX; * Metz 58AF, 48AF; * Nikon SpeedLite SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-28, SB-27, SB-26, SB-25, SB-24; * Olympus FL-50R, FL-50, FL-36R, FL-36; * Pentax AF-540 FGZ, AF-360 FGZ, AF-400 FT, AF-240 FT; * Sigma EF-530 DG Super, EF-530 DG ST (for Nikon only), EF-500 DG Super, EF-500 DG ST (for Nikon only), EF-430;

[seanmcg99]

So basically, I put the 285hv on a light stand with the reciever, then i put the transmitter on my hot shoe, then when i press the shutter, the flash fires? I am using a nikon d3000

[samuraim98]

yeah man! i just got two of those v2 recievers, occasional misfire but there wonderful besides that

[Hardstylaz]

@seanmcg99 Yep but take note its manual not TTL, so a light meter or a lot of trial and error is necessary

[alikbangon2007]

A very clean set up. Great vid!

[dublinchef]

what the name for stands ?

[dcnatswin]

are you using the pc sync cord from the reciever to the 285 simply because you don't like using them in the recievers hotshoe, or do the 285's always have to use the cord w/ ebay triggers?

[mazekraemer]

Brilliant Video! It answered a lot of questions for beginners and I'm looking forward to see more…

[TheNomitx]

I like the Jianisi you displayed, but I can't figure out how to replace the battery on the trigger. Can you post a video on how to replace? I broke one trying to get the cover off.

[RonaldsSulcs]

Good stuff man!!!! :) Really helpfull for beginner

[dipmvideos]

great vid man. do you think you could do a video on all of your gear? thanks!

[abcd321839955]

hi... excellent intro to the stobist world !!

btw... please tell me... can these vivitar flashes in this wireless setup do high-speed sync? ... like can they be work with shutter-speed more than 1/250 or 1/300 ??

[wildkid911]

I have a couple of Viv. 285's, and no, they dont high speed sync with the canon 50D with the exact same wireless setup as shown in the video. it syncs at 1/250 max,

But, a friend of mine has a Nikon D40, and since his Camera's sync speed is 1/500 it does sync up to that speed .

[NomedSenkrad]

Good vid! Next time have someone hold the iphone for you and it will be perfect!

You seem quite competent!

[LEXPIX]

Very cool. Not bad for an iPhone vid either.

[neo120819]

Thanks a lot for the video! Its very informative for one who is just starting out with strobes.