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hi everyone, im new to the whole posting forum thing so sorry for the overkill on info and questions, im hoping to get some advice , i have a nikon d200 and a sb 600 flash(can it be triggered wirelessly?), i have limited knowledge on studio lighting but im keen to know what equipment i need in order to get into strobist photography, i also want some softboxes and lights preferably ones i can transport that run on an independent power source (is that possible?) for portraits in the forest ect, failing that id be chasing a decent 2 light kit(with lights that i can adjust intensity and with softboxes . any feedback would be greatly appreciated i have about $1000 dollars to invest in this so i'll value any sound advice

hey simotron, welcome to the forum.

Firstly just a bit of housekeeping, please have a meaningful location in your profile, it is a condition of forum use, and it helps us to give you local advice.

Your D200 can trigger your SB-600 off camera, wirelessly. You will need to set the SB-600 into wireless slave mode by going into the CSM and then set the pop-up flash to commander mode (via the cameras menu - I use a D300 so I cant tell you exactly where).

As for some lights and light modifiers, I hesitate on recommending things here as I dont personally use them, but i would probably save more money and get something better, like a Bowens or Elinchrome kit. I have a friend that has slowly built up a very high quality Elinchrome kit, but there a a number of members on the forum that will recommend a cheaper kit. It is very possible to get a kit that runs off portable power pack.

Hope this helps, if not BUMP! and someone else will be able to add

Cheers
Cameron

simotron wrote:hi everyone, im new to the whole posting forum thing so sorry for the overkill on info and questions, im hoping to get some advice , i have a nikon d200 and a sb 600 flash(can it be triggered wirelessly?), i have limited knowledge on studio lighting but im keen to know what equipment i need in order to get into strobist photography, i also want some softboxes and lights preferably ones i can transport that run on an independent power source (is that possible?) for portraits in the forest ect, failing that id be chasing a decent 2 light kit(with lights that i can adjust intensity and with softboxes . any feedback would be greatly appreciated i have about $1000 dollars to invest in this so i'll value any sound advice

Hi and welcome,
First up, don't forget to put a meaningful location in your profile (see the text at the top of the page, and the FAQ). This will help us to help you.
Without that, I cannot point you in the right direction too far, but to answer some of your questions"

sb 600 flash(can it be triggered wirelessly?)

Yes it can. Put the D200 flash in commander mode. Put the SB600 in remote mode. Make sure that the group and channel match on both. You then control the SB600 from the D200 Custom menu for flash. Useable Distance varies. I have used it up to about 10m indoors, and about five outside on a sunny day.

ones i can transport that run on an independent power source (is that possible?)

Yes it is. You can get studio lighting designed to run on battery packs. THese are the size & weight of car batteries (I suspect that's what they are) but they are portable and independent of mains power. The ultimate in portability is a multi SB kit, with a few light shaping accessories, but the penalties are 1. $$$ and 2. power

Here is my two cents worth. take it with a grain of salt as I am an enthusiastic amateur only

I have been playing around with off camera my SB-600, a light stand through a white umbrella (sourced through fotogen.) I have found it heaps of fun, really happy with some of the results. Have also just picked up an SB-900 and will be getting another stand (probably a Manfrotto Nano) and brolly (folding Westcott for extra portability) soon.

If you have a SB-600 you could get easily get another and a few stands, clamps and brollies for way under $1000. Maybe even two more SB-600 or just one SB-900. The beauty of the Nikon flashes is that you can use the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) and trigger the strobes remotely from the onboard camera flash with full TTL metering. Alternativley you could put an SB800/SB900/SU800 on the camera and have control over three independant groups of strobes. Cheaper options would be Vivitar 285's but you lose CLS and will need either cactus/ebay/cybersync/etc as wireless triggers.

You can also set up the lights in minutes.

I have steered away from studio lights as I dont have a studio space and portability is important to me.

Sure they arent as powerful as the proper studio sites but they sure are fun.

Check out http://strobist.blogspot.com/ and http://www.joemcnally.com/blog/

For supplies you can use Poon (when he updates the pricelist) or http://www.dragonimage.com.au/. There are others I cant remember right now, be back later with more.