DSLRUsers.com

Hiya folks,

Having just invested in my first flash (580ex II), I'm now looking to add two more speedlites to my collection so that I can begin to work with light. I debated getting one of those MPEX vivitar strobist kits but decided that since there will be many occasions where I'm travelling just with the one flash, I wanted a powerful one that would work on camera and that I could bounce off walls/ceilings...

Anyway, in order to start building a small & portable lighting kit, I'm looking at purchasing stands and umbrellas, and I was wondering whether anyone had any experience with Dragon Image?

http://www.dragonimage.com.au/product.asp?id=1414

Thankfully they have a store in Melbourne so I will be able to go in and have a look...but as they are not exactly close to where I live, I was wondering whether anyone could offer any reviews on the quality of this set up? The uses for this kit will be primarily indoors, with occasional outdoor shoots.

Alternatively, if anyone has suggestions of other kits that I should consider, then I’d be quite grateful for the heads up 

Cheers,
Ellie

Hi Kitchenwench it may also be worth checking out these guys http://www.imagemelbourne.com.au/ and Fotogen on ebay http://stores.ebay.com.au/Envisage-IT-and-Photo

I have a similar fotogen kit and its pretty good value. Definately good value when compared to manfrotto stuff.

On the kit you are looking at make sure the clamps are decent quality and that it holds your strobe well.

The value looks OK, the bag is good, wish I had one. Too be honest the quality of a lot of the entry level gear across the shops seems very similar ie they look like they come from the same factory.

If you really want portable then the manfrotto/bogen 3373 and a collapsible Westcott Brolly are the go. Expensive though. I have been resisting for weeks, with the AUD charging up I may treat myself though.

whitey wrote:If you really want portable then the manfrotto/bogen 3373 and a collapsible Westcott Brolly are the go. Expensive though. I have been resisting for weeks, with the AUD charging up I may treat myself though.

Yes, the manfrotto 001 light stands and the westcott stuff are definitely for portability. I have 2 of the soft silver ones and 2 shoot through with black backing, very nice and light. And yes, all from adorama or bhphoto, I like the quality better too.

Grev wrote:

whitey wrote:If you really want portable then the manfrotto/bogen 3373 and a collapsible Westcott Brolly are the go. Expensive though. I have been resisting for weeks, with the AUD charging up I may treat myself though.

Yes, the manfrotto 001 light stands and the westcott stuff are definitely for portability. I have 2 of the soft silver ones and 2 shoot through with black backing, very nice and light. And yes, all from adorama or bhphoto, I like the quality better too.

I have them sitting in my shopping cart at bhphoto. Your endorsement has nearly pushed me to the purchase now button. $70 postage is lots though. Maybe if the dollar goes to 85.....

I really shouldnt be spending money on gear at the moment. Need to use what I have more.

whitey wrote:I have them sitting in my shopping cart at bhphoto. Your endorsement has nearly pushed me to the purchase now button. $70 postage is lots though. Maybe if the dollar goes to 85.....

I really shouldnt be spending money on gear at the moment. Need to use what I have more.

You really should just get it, there are so many people who think flashes are of no use to them and you can do SO much with a flash, small stand, clamps etc... I'd say get it. Otherwise it'll bug you for the rest of the time.

Ok you convinced me
Now just looking through B&H for all the other little things I might want.

Added a few Honl speedstraps, was going to make them but at 9USD will just grab them. Probably get some gels too.

It looks like B&H will ship the Manfrotto 001B for about AUD140. This is a similar price to what you can get it for from Vanbar in Australia.

This light stand is great for a speed light - it folds up nice and small, weighs next to nothing and is very portable. I had a shoot yesterday and in my backpack had a studio light and cable, 001B lightstand with brollile and a strip-light which is simply the 001B box converted to a strip-light.

For speedlight work, if you get the 001B plus adaptor, all up cost may be AUD180 which is the cost of the entire Dragon Image kit. However, you will only pay this once.

Thanks Patrick, might drive out to vanbar today and have a look. Wonder if they have any collapsible umbrellas.

whitey, speedstraps are so easy to make for a couple of dollars. happy to post any "instructions" on materials used cos i think i got it downpat now and i reckon my strap works even better than the honl one. you can get sheets of high quality gel filters direct from rosco in artamon, (round the corner from dragonimage), and save a packet aswell.

http://www.rosco.com/australia/index.asp btw: remember dragon image have just moved so give em a call for their new address.

Hi Rooz

DIY instructions for speedstraps would be great.

thanks for the tip on the gels too
gw

no worries. will post it up tonite.

whitey, DIY instructions for the Rooz Speedstrap and gels here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10435080@N ... 0/sizes/o/

whitey wrote:Ok you convinced me
Now just looking through B&H for all the other little things I might want.

Added a few Honl speedstraps, was going to make them but at 9USD will just grab them. Probably get some gels too.

If this hasn't been replied already...

You'll need the umbrella holder, wireless triggers... actual umbrellas... etc.