2xSB800 on camera bracket?

[Oz_Beachside]

Wondering what others think...

I'm thinking of ways to create a location pack that will fit in a shoe box...
currently I have a wonderful bowens location pack for home(too big and heavy to cart round the globe), and one SB600 (and an SC28, and SC29)

I'm travelling to a location, on the other side of the world, where some of the time, I will have access to large portable flash gear, but other times I will be dependent on flash guns like SB800's, due to physical luggage size constraints.

I am thinking, that an SB600 (or 800) is a very small light source (in diameter)... any tips on larger soft box to increase its size (without the use of light stands)?

In addition, I'm thinking that two SB800's say 1 meter apart (one above the other), would give better full length lighting of the 5 foot tall subjects.

Anyone know how to fire two SB800's from a D200 off camera? I can mount one on a camera bracket via the SC29, and perhaps extend the camera bracket to add another SB600/800 and trigger via radio, or nikon wireless? Anyone have sample images of multiple SB setups?

Alternatives? Any of the metz stuff give an even light over 5 foot subjects/people, say 3-5 meters from subject? the metz 76?

[Oz_Beachside]

could this be an application for two gary fong light spheres?

shots will be generally outdoor, on locaiton, wanting soft light, not competing with the sun (directly). Want light to be long (even over the height of the model) and soft (not harsh with highlights).

[MATT]

OZ, I'm no expert...I have a d200 and 1xsb800, to trigger wireless on the D200 you can set up multiple channels and have total control over what each is doing. Just set channels up on each one of the sb800's , you can use the on board as an extra also, not just a trigger

Reading back over this it makes no sense what I wrote but I cant see it as being any problem..Plenty of info on setting up in the manual.


Good luck

MATT

[Glen]

Could this be any use? From Poon. It is a blow up diffuser

[Oz_Beachside]

yep, exactly the kind of thing I had in mind. I think you can get some a little larger which are similar to little light tents, which mount around the flash gun.

As for seperating the two lights, was thinking to use these two bolted together (either on camera, or using the stand base with a long SC28)

http://www.manfrotto.com.au/LightingProductsExtraDetail.php?pageNum_rsLightingProducts=0&totalRows_rsLightingProducts=42&Master_Cat_Code=030&Sub_Cat_Code=010&Record_Number=37

BOLTED TO THIS...

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/pid/2808

[firsty]

you may want to get a couple of external battery packs to help with recycle times if you are doing a pro shoot... can't have models just standing around waiting.

also have a look at Dave blacks articals on using SB800s
start with THIS one and look at the others that he refers too

note: firing 2 at half power instead of one at full power gives faster recycle times and also slows down the heating up of you SB800s so you can shoot for longer

[Oz_Beachside]

thanks heaps, very interesting read, and useful notes.

I hadnt thought about recycle time, or battery life yet, so thatnks for the reminder.

notice these sofboxes, think they would provide the nice soft light I'm after, perhaps with two SB800's through one???


http://www.lastolite.com/ezybox-hotshoe.php

[wendellt]

i rigged up a 3xsb800 thing on a location shoot once because the strobe rental was to expensive over a number of days

the power output is much more than needed but i was shootign under direct sun so i needed the power
they tiggered each other one master 2 in slave mode, sc-29 connected them to the camera

all units were set to manual 2 meters full power

it rivalled the expensive Hensel porty pack i used previously

[Steffen]

 LOL! Some food for thought for those that prefer to look "professional"...

[Oz_Beachside]

wendellt, thanks for the pic, thats what I was planning to do mechanically.

then possibly shoot through a difuser, or bounce.

cheers,
Oz

[photograham]

Oz, you can set the D200's on camera flash to commander mode and use the 2 x sb 800's in slave mode. No cords required.
Have a look at Ditial Darrell's article here:http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/d200_and_cls/

[gstark]

Bruce,

That big softbox looks to be quite useful.

The Manfrotto brackets will also be useful.

Have you considered perhaps just the one light stand, along with a couple of Manfrotto super clamps, and then add the softboxes into the mix?

And are brollies out of the question?

[Reschsmooth]

I use the same blow-up diffuser on my Metz that Glen showed, plus use this one on the SB800 which works really well.

The only thing I found with the blow-up version is that I still need to diffuse it further (with some material covers my wife made for it).

P

[Oz_Beachside]

Oz, you can set the D200's on camera flash to commander mode and use the 2 x sb 800's in slave mode. No cords required.
Have a look at Ditial Darrell's article here:http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/d200_and_cls/

thanks Graham,

I may be 10 meters away, so the on board may not trigger that far in the sun? hmmm, nor would the SC29 reach. Gives me a few other options though... I'll test the onboard this weekend to my current SB600.

[Oz_Beachside]

Bruce,

That big softbox looks to be quite useful.

The Manfrotto brackets will also be useful.

Have you considered perhaps just the one light stand, along with a couple of Manfrotto super clamps, and then add the softboxes into the mix?

And are brollies out of the question?

thanks Gary,
Its all got to fit in my checked in luggage suitcase, or carry on. Umbrellas are banned on most flight carry on. Thought to soft box is more harmless..

Light stand, was thinking to take the small backlight stand, which extends to about 2 feet tall, same again applies, it folds up very small, but may topple over with the 38cm EzyBox... lots to test...

the manfrotto superclams (026) are great to mount the flash, and umbrellas (maybe I'll check in two umbrellas (saves money as I have two medium ones). Perhaps shoot two SB800's through one umbrella??? hmmm, another thing to test this weekend.

they are handly looking softboxes though arent they

[Oz_Beachside]

anyone used these, or this brand?

I would prefer the lastolite one, but this looks similar...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ALZO-Flip-Flash-Camera-Bracket-Softbox-Kit-for-Nikon_W0QQitemZ280084942869QQihZ018QQcategoryZ107933QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem