Confused over flashes and CLS

[daredevil123]

The only issue was that I'm a bit scared of ordering online from overseas stores cos I don't really know about them. Not sure about Adorama at that time, but I tried B&H and doesn't seem to have stock (yeah.. kiasi lol :bsmilie

If I'm buying the Nikon Speedlights I'll find you for your 10m cord. Currently I'm on YN560I/II speedlights and Stratos system.

I got my Pixel 10m cord from a local MO person. Cost slightly higher than buying retail in China, but hey, I did not have to fly there just to get one lousy cable. Cost me slightly under $50, nikon mount too.

 

[avsquare]

I got my Pixel 10m cord from a local MO person. Cost slightly higher than buying retail in China, but hey, I did not have to fly there just to get one lousy cable. Cost me slightly under $50, nikon mount too.

That's still pretty cheap compared to what DD tried to charge me. Thank god I cancelled the order

 

[daredevil123]

Yeah, as eleveninth bro has pointed out, a strobe may be bulky to carry around while speedlights are smaller. A strobe is always one point, but speedlights you can always use as an individual point or combine for greater intensities. Of course there's a limit on how many speedlights you can combine and it's diminishing returns on light intensity.

Also, if you face a situation where you need the intensity and also shooting above sync speed, then combining HSS supported speedlights is the way to go, although the total cost may be very much higher than strobes.

For "ganging" I think it is only useful for strobing in sports and fast action photography. For other uses, I think a good old ND filter will work fine. Plus there are technologies out there that can do high speed shutters with normal strobes now.. you might want to check out Hypersync from Pocketwizards.

Considering the number of flash units needed, plus the brackets and wiring needed, it can be a chore as well. The key is to remain flexible and bring the right tools for the job. When packing up and heading out for a job, I am pretty sure experienced photographers know situations they will be shooting in and what they need to get the job done.

 

[daredevil123]

That's still pretty cheap compared to what DD tried to charge me. Thank god I cancelled the order

Let me know if you want to know the MO person. He brings things in direct from Pixel china very regularly.

 

[daredevil123]

Just in case, anyone here wants to know about hypersync...

PocketWizard® - HyperSync

For me personally, I have tried 1/500 hypersync at full power before... works like a charm. Never went higher though.

 

[CorneliusK]

I read about Hypersync before and it seems incredible, but investing in a full PW set up is pretty prohibitive...

There are so many interesting developments in lighting nowadays.

There is this bare bulb flash by Godox, one of which is rated at 360J (SB-900 is around 60J if I am not wrong). Strobe power with the size of a flashgun!
Godox launch Witstro AD180, AD360 bare-tube flashguns | Lighting Rumours

And there is this Rikon full featured trigger system, and they have their own flashes with built in receivers as well. in other words something like the Canon EX-RT system
Rikon Dazzne Kody TTL triggering system unveiled, previewed | Lighting Rumours

 

[daredevil123]

I read about Hypersync before and it seems incredible, but investing in a full PW set up is pretty prohibitive...

There are so many interesting developments in lighting nowadays.

There is this bare bulb flash by Godox, one of which is rated at 360J (SB-900 is around 60J if I am not wrong). Strobe power with the size of a flashgun!
Godox launch Witstro AD180, AD360 bare-tube flashguns | Lighting Rumours

And there is this Rikon full featured trigger system, and they have their own flashes with built in receivers as well. in other words something like the Canon EX-RT system
Rikon Dazzne Kody TTL triggering system unveiled, previewed | Lighting Rumours

It works for me because I already have the Pocketwizards before Hypersync was born. A great bonus I think. And it is so much easier now, especially when I can use my own strobes now to achieve higher shutter speeds.

Thanks for the link to the Godox AD360... time for me to call my friend in china.. Godox distributor.

 

[avsquare]

Considering the number of flash units needed, plus the brackets and wiring needed, it can be a chore as well. The key is to remain flexible and bring the right tools for the job. When packing up and heading out for a job, I am pretty sure experienced photographers know situations they will be shooting in and what they need to get the job done.

I read about Hypersync before and it seems incredible, but investing in a full PW set up is pretty prohibitive...

There are so many interesting developments in lighting nowadays.

There is this bare bulb flash by Godox, one of which is rated at 360J (SB-900 is around 60J if I am not wrong). Strobe power with the size of a flashgun!
Godox launch Witstro AD180, AD360 bare-tube flashguns | Lighting Rumours

And there is this Rikon full featured trigger system, and they have their own flashes with built in receivers as well. in other words something like the Canon EX-RT system
Rikon Dazzne Kody TTL triggering system unveiled, previewed | Lighting Rumours

Well true enough, but since I'm just an amateur shooting as a hobbyist for hobbyists, investing in pocketwizards (most expensive system of all IMHO, worse than the current cost of the Canon's RT system) and multiple strobes doesn't seem feasible to me, let alone lugging them along. Speedlights are just small, light and highly portable, albiet it takes time for me to set up the bracketing if they are used. But still, I rather spend time setting them up than lugging strobes. Well, I'm not on a paid and rushed job, so time is okay for me.

@Brian: I've seen the Godox light bulb thing, I think was one of Zack Arias' shoot and it was amazing. But the Rikon thing you've shared is utmost interesting. Thanks for the share and I'm so going to watch it closely. The biggest thing I've missed from the Canon side since using Nikon is I kinda liked the Canon's RT system. Fully featured and everything in-house, don't need to buy extra receivers (and expensive) whenever you need one. If the feature is great and reliable and pricing is reasonable, I'm sure to invest in it.

Let me know if you want to know the MO person. He brings things in direct from Pixel china very regularly.

I'll remember your offer if I need some Pixel (EDIT: and maybe other China) stuff, thanks bro!

 

[eleveninth]

It works for me because I already have the Pocketwizards before Hypersync was born. A great bonus I think. And it is so much easier now, especially when I can use my own strobes now to achieve higher shutter speeds.

Thanks for the link to the Godox AD360... time for me to call my friend in china.. Godox distributor.

which ones do u have. I only have plusIIs fcc somemore from b4 when cathay dun sell pw to locals lol. had to order overseas

 

[CorneliusK]

It works for me because I already have the Pocketwizards before Hypersync was born. A great bonus I think. And it is so much easier now, especially when I can use my own strobes now to achieve higher shutter speeds.

Thanks for the link to the Godox AD360... time for me to call my friend in china.. Godox distributor.

Could you share what are the max shutter speeds that you have been able to achieve?

 

[daredevil123]

which ones do u have. I only have plusIIs fcc somemore from b4 when cathay dun sell pw to locals lol. had to order overseas

I have a bunch of FlexTT5, a MiniTT1 and a AC-3. . Mine is all CE. Bought them back when they were first released on Nikon. And it was firmware 2.x back then. No Hypersync. updated the firmware last year to 3.x and got Hypersync as a bonus.

I also have a bunch of Phottix Atlas and they are full compatible (clone) with Pocketwizard system and act just like a PlusII with the exception that they do not support Hypersync.

Your plusII should support Hypersync, but you need a FlexTT5 or MiniTT1 as the master I think... IIRC

 

[daredevil123]

Could you share what are the max shutter speeds that you have been able to achieve?

I have been able to fire up to 1/500s at full power. But on SB900 and SB910. Never tried faster shutter speed, because I set by default that it will switch over to HSS beyond 1/500. Have yet to try with my Elinchroms.

Maybe one day I should experiment and try it out and see if I can achieve 1/8000 on the Elinchroms and SB910/900.