Strobist - SUNPAK 120J PROFESSIONAL

[wahgongzai]

Which is a bit disappointing given that we can achieve 1/16000th with a cable!

I think you are referring to 1/1600sec with sync cable. I read from Strobist.com that David Hobby manage to sync 1/2000 and more with modified cable on his Canon G10 or G9. :think: Hmmm, maybe I should try out with sync cable alone and see how far can it go on my SUNPAK 120Js.

Glad to hear that you found a "good condition" TR-PAK II. However try not fired full power constantly to avoid melting the capacitor. Use it wisely as advise by the old timers I know.

 

[wahgongzai]

Color Gels/filters are interesting Strobist accessory. They add drama and mood to a scene. During the 1970s to late 1980s. Color gels are religiously used in many product photography, it made boring metal products, big machinery and work process looked cool and interesting. Graphic designers who have metal industry based clients will understand what I meant.

Color Gels/Filters for hot shoe flashes are widely available in many sizes, brands and designs at reasonable prices locally or online. However for 120J owners, we can't use the common “rectangle” color filters due to smaller dimension and shape. One option we have, is to buy a big piece of 20x24” gel from local cinematography, photography store or online. Popular and well-known Rosco or Lee cost between S$12-15 online for one 20x24” gel sheet. There are also some generic “no brand” color gel selling at a slightly cheaper price.

For me I always wanted to gel my 120J. About a year ago, I got to shoot an engagement shoot. And I got this crazy idea of lighting a huge tree with a few color gel 120J. Due to budget and time constraint, I decided to try something cheap. Instead of buying commercial color gels, I bought stationery color files from Popular book store and die-cut it.

This is what I got, The die cut gel is secured by an elastic band. The one above have two layers of blue plastic stapled together as I wanted a darker blue shade. Not nicely made I must admit as I did it the night before the shoot so didn't care much about presentation. So did I used it during the shoot, sad to said I didn't cause I forgot about it. Only realized it two days after the shoot when I unpacked my gear bag. Last month I dug out the stationery gel and did a test with it. This is what I got below:

Not bad I must say, since these gel only cost $0.40-0.80. I can get two die-cut gel from one stationery file. The file cost $0.80, so one die-cut gel is $0.40. However please note that, the two test photos above. I secure the gel using gaffer instead of the elastic band, so a lot of stray light causing the lens flare on the bottom right corner. Using elastic band, the lens flare is minimal or none.

 

[wahgongzai]

How to DIY is fairly simple. The elastic band are found in sport shorts/brief/pajamas. The white one you can easily get from neighborhood shop. The black one you have to find those specialty shops selling handicraft or bead arts. Quick way, measured, cut and staple both end and gaffer it to avoid the staples from scratching the hood. If you have more time, sew both end and gaffer it.

For the die-cut gel place your 120J reflector on top of the stationery file trace it. Once you traced the circle shape, draw what I call “tongues” or flaps around it. The tongues have two purposes, one is to have something that the elastic band can wrap around it so it attached securely to the reflector. Two the tongues act as heat gaps for hot air to get out and cool air to get in.

Why heat gaps, 120J is a 115W light (close to two SB-28 at full power). A certain amount of heat is generated when it flashes. Since it is a bare bulb design, it dissipate heat very well. However If we cover up the reflector fully the heat will be trapped inside. To prevent this, I have some gaps for the heat to escape out.

Basically, 3 colors will be good. Yellow, Red and blue. If you want orange, just overlay yellow and red. You can darken it by adding more red to it. Lastly please note that this “cheap trick” is good for background lighting. If you shoot tungsten mode and used an orange stationery file gel thinking it will behave like a CTO. Most likely you will be disappointed. For lighting a huge space, I think its good. I will try to do more test with it when I shoot outdoor. Will post and share with you guys here.


Continuous Fluorescent Light (Technical), Photography with Continuous Fluorescent Lights

 

[wahgongzai]

Hi all been busy lately so not much time to update this thread. Decided to post a quick sharing before going back to work

Below is the light setup

Continuous Fluorescent Light (Technical), Photography with Continuous Fluorescent Lights

 

[wahgongzai]

Hi all, happy holiday everyone. Just to share one more favorite photo from low key series.

Same softbox with grid and no diffuser, 120J @ 1/4 power.

 

[wahgongzai]

Hi all, finally can relax a bit after 2 busy months :sweat:. So decided to share a shoot that I did on August.

Model is Kayla, Very young model with a positive bubbly and honest personality. Responsible and dedicated to her passion which is very rare nowadays among youngsters. She was one of the 4 models for a thesis project by MUA Xavier Sin. A good friend with great MU skills. Anyway Xavier and me will like to say a big thank you to U Kayla for coming to shoot.

Low key one light setup, quite straight forward. I actually did a few shots by adding one more fill light underneath, will share with you maybe this weekend. Quite interesting when you put two side by side and compare it.​

Also stay tune for more as I will be posting a personal review on the New Pocket Wizard Plus III with SUNPAK 120J this month :bsmilie:

 

[wahgongzai]

Hi all, as promised here are the side by side photos with one and two lights.

Matter of personal preference when come to lighting, no right or wrong.​

Continuous Fluorescent Light (Technical), Photography with Continuous Fluorescent Lights

 

[wahgongzai]

Hi all, few months back I manage to get my hands on a pair of PW III. Got to spend a whole day shooting with it. Do I ilke it? NO! I Love it, the PW folks really did a major revamp on this baby. Will post a personal afterthoughts review below.

A year ago, I posted an article on Nikon D70 max Flash (X) sync with PW Plus II Transceivers and PT-04. Despite it cheap price, the PT-04 managed to keep up with the PW (the Lion King of Strobist world) in term of X-sync. At the end of that post, I mentioned that I have bought two sets of Aputure Trigmaster 433Ghz version for longer range flash triggering. And since I have my hands on the PW III, I decided that I will do another Nikon D70 X-Sync test between the Trigmaster and PW III. Let the battle begin!

Last year, I did a super crappy intro photo of the PW II and PT-04 due to shortage of time. This time I spend an hour to get a better intro photo. Not fantastic I agree, but still an okay photo la.

Conclusion: The PW III without a doubt manage to match the impressive 1/1250 X-sync, although it never went past the 1/1250 mark. To me, its already more than enough and very happy with it. The Trigmaster however lost its breath at 1/800 and black out. However I will like to state, the one I am using is the old 433 version. Currently in the market, a new 2.4Ghz version is available. So the X-sync maybe the same or faster? If anyone have the 2.4Ghz and you have a Nikon D70, D1 please share with us the max X-sync you manage to squeeze out.
Minor note: Forgot to switch WB to flash, I like to use cloudy WB for outdoor.


Things I love about the PW III
Price, yes the price finally drop a bit. Not much but better than none.
Smaller, occupy less space in camera bag means can squeeze a bit more other things inside.
No more bendy antenna. Although …
Have a screen and battery indicator. Cool

Things I wish it had and miss
Making adjustment on the side rather from the back. Have to get use to it.
Still plastic hot shoe... some of the “clones” have metal hot shoe.
The LOOK, I don't know... I just think the old Pws still present a more “professional look” or “woa...ah feel” to it.
Orange screen color, I like blue.

So what next? As mentioned by InTokyo. I am thinking using the old school way of PC sync cable to trigger the SUNPAK 120J and see whether it can flash past the 1/1250 mark. Currently I am looking into new triggers to replace my PT-04. Have a few “PW look alike” in mind. Will do the test again if I bought the new triggers.

Christmas is just around the corner, wishing all a happy happy holiday.

Continuous Fluorescent Light (Technical), Photography with Continuous Fluorescent Lights

 

[wahgongzai]

Hi all, today is the eve of Chinese Lunar New Year when we say good bye to the dragon and welcome the snake. Hmmm... won't it be SUPER if Konami can release a new Solid Snake Redux game for Ipad tonight? Good memories... I had played those games. Anyway back to topic.

As we celebrate the beginning of a Lunar New Year, I would like to say a big Thank You to everyone who keep visiting this thread and all the kind words of encouragement and ups I receive from you guys. 2012 was fun, I got to do more photo shoots as compared to 2011. I got my first “Personal Project LACE” kick-started, the original idea was to complete the project with 8-10 models by end of 2012. So far for the past 3 LACE shoots, the experiences have been great. I had the chance to work with talented artists and models. I have many other ideas for upcoming LACE shoots but I need some time to source for materials and get them made. LACE shoots will definitely come back soon... hopefully sometime this year.

So what to look forward in 2013? Well firstly, I hope I can update and share more posts - more Strobist Mini Tips, more photo shoots BTS etc. I also hope to do more outdoor shoots than indoor shoots. And that I can get to work with more people. This year I have started using film with a very old manual MF camera :bsmilie:.

Lastly I wish to share with you some photos from my talented MUA friend, Ayden's Thesis Project. All four looks used the same “clamp shell” technique. And as you can see, you can achieve different feel by using different modifiers.

The First one from the left, 80cm Octagon with grid on top and 40cm beauty dish with grid below. Second: 80cm Octagon top, 40cm beauty dish below. Third: 60” inch reflect umbrella and 40cm beauty dish below. Fourth: 80cm octagon top, 40cm beauty dish below and one 120J with a light blue gel hitting the background.​

A big thank you to models - Kayla, Jackie, Veena and Jessica for coming to the shoots. You gals are the best.

Have a great reunion dinner and Happy Chinese New Year : > See you all soon.

 

[wahgongzai]

Hi all just to share a setup that I did last year (the last one for 2012). The shoot didn't went well cause of very very bad weather Have to cancel in the end. This is just one of those bad days we photographers have to face and accept it.

This is actually a test shot, after we got stuck at the entrance for more than 30 mins. The downpour slowly reduce to light drizzle. I decided to do a some quick snaps at this wall with red doors near where we are, If the rain came back at least shelter is nearby. While I took a few quick test snaps, just like in the movie. The rain get heavier and heavier. My A100 have a DSLR raincoat on and the 120J protected by a two big ziplock bags. I proceeded with the shoot with Jackie holding an umbrella hoping the rain will toned back down drizzle again. It didn't, 2 mins later I am totally wet and we have take shelter again. Waited another 20+ mins, still raining cats and dogs. Both of us decided to call it a day.

Like to say a big thank you to Xavier who did the makeup and Jackie :thumbsup: who despite of the downpour and hit by jet lag after a 13 hours flight took a cab down to the location. Although I didn't get any images I like... is still a good learning experience as this is the first time I did a "shoot in the rain".

 

[wahgongzai]

Hi all, its been a while I up this thread. So let me share with you guys another personal projects I am working on. I love old things especially retro vintage stuffs. I have been collecting Polaroid cams for a while now and the collection have grown to 40+ and currently still growing slowly in numbers : > Last year when my collection hit passed 40, I have this idea of doing a personal project title Polaroid Gals. Gals with Retro clothes + different types of Polaroid Cams. I started to prepare for the shoot, searching for location and wardrobe. After months of planning, I manage to borrow some genuine 60s and early 70s wardrobe. I decided to make it my first 2013 personal shoot.

Model is Jackie, this is the fourth time I work with her. Brilliant model with great personality. Makeup was done by Belinda Betz, a young professional MUA. Although this was my first time working with her, got to say I am very impressed by her professionalism and MU skills. Stylist is Wyn, a trusted and very talented old friend. Left image was taken by me and the right by Wyn. Btw, Wyn is also an experience photographer. A very good one I must say.

Setup is fairly simple, one 120J inside softbox placed close to model. Shot at F5.6 to lower down the background ambient. For Wyn, she chose to shoot at this sofa with a makeup mirror table behind. In doing so, the mirror reflected back some light and created a nice “rim” on Jackie's neck, shoulder and hand. Brilliant! why I never think of that...

Continuous Fluorescent Light (Technical), Photography with Continuous Fluorescent Lights

 

[wahgongzai]

A Teaser Pic from Polaroid Gal January shoot. Two lights, stay tuned for more updates on the detailed setup this week ​

 

[wahgongzai]

Hi all, as promise below is the setup diagram:

I wanted a “nearby” window light effect, so I have a softbox close to Jackie. Shot @ 7.1 so the Furniture and Polaroids also in focus. Its Kinda “Short lighting”, but I don't want a dramatic look so I added another 60” umbrella on the left (actually center will be better...) to act as a fill to the whole scene.

The original background is a dull concrete wall so I insert a “wooden wall” and added more “warmth” to the photo to give a retro vintage feel.

Continuous Fluorescent Light (Technical), Photography with Continuous Fluorescent Lights

 

[wahgongzai]

Hi all, just to share another two photos from “Jackie” Polaroid gals series. Setup is still 2 lights and I moved the lights a tad more frontal. You can actually see the softbox and 60” umbrella catchlights on the rangefinder window of Polaroid Land 80 (left photo).

By asking the model to face different direction, move nearer or further away from the lights you can get different feel without moving the light modifiers.
​

 

[lightrules]

all nicely done

You have mastered the difficult high key and low key shots
that some professional can't seem to understand.
Very well done.

love your animated gif too

 

[wahgongzai]

Hi all,

June was a crazy and “not cool at all” month for me... horrible horrible haze condition + I been hit hard with dengue on the day when the haze was 371 : < bummer...

July now is better, but I still have lot of back dated work to clear. I am now in the midst of planning Polaroid Gals 2 shoot in August and I hope it will be better than what I did in 1.

I tried “something” I have not touch like ten years + since art school during that photo shoot.

Boy oh boy, it was a horrible disaster for me. Anyway the photo shoot manage to pull through because I have a back up, a great model and lastly my talented friend Wyn who did a superb job as an assistant and stylist. Thank you Jackie and Wyn again for been so great and wonderful : >

Since 2 is going to happen soon, I think I will share with you all a mock up editorial spread I did for 1. For everyone who is doing their own personal shoot soon, try to incorporate your photos and design it into a magazine “editorial story”. It train you to be more critical of your work as you only can choose a few photos to show case + you and the model have something to focus on and be in character more easily. Just try it, and if you don't like it at least you try right : >

Anyway I am going to “DO IT AGAIN” for 2, I may failed horribly again. But Hack I am going to try again and again. Lastly I am going to leave you a quote from Adam Savage from the MythBusters.

“Failure is always an option”
by Adam Savage (a cool geek with a terabyte of talent)​

See you guys in August and thank you lightrules (cool nick, I 100% agree with you) for your kind words and the ups you guys have given me. Appreciated.

 

[wahgongzai]

Hi all, here are some teaser (instant) pics from the Polaroid Gals 2 shoot. Now still editing the photos, hopefully can wrap up by this week end. Do stay tuned everyone ​

 

[wahgongzai]

Hi all, finally finished with the editing for Polaroid Gals 2. This is my first shoot with two models at the same time. A bit nervous on the day of the shoot and made a lot of silly mistakes... However the shoot went fairly quite well and I am very happy with the photos.

This is also my second try on something I have not touch for many years, shooting FILM (instant peel and 120 negative to be precise) with a 42 yrs old Medium Format Range Finder. A Mamiya Universal (I call him CK, Chouhoukei Kaiju :bsmilie:, btw Pacific Rim rocks). CK is a MF monster which demand patience, strength and more strength to operate it. You can not rush when using this monster, if you rush, most likely you will make some or me a lot of mistakes.

During the first Polaroid Gals shoot, I wasted 1 box of FP-100c and a roll of Kodak Portra 400 when I try to shoot fast. I either forgot to pull out the dark slide, never wind the film or not sure whether I have wind and took double exposures, also forgot to switch to X and use the M sync (yes, its so old it has the M syc) to trigger flash... Anyway this time is slightly better. I didn't waste a lot of film. Manage to take 8 good exposures out of 10. The last 2 went dark cause I rush again and forgot to check my sync which is in M. I also bought along a 6x6 back with Kodak Portra 800, but I didn't use it cause we are a bit running short on time. For some reason, time really flies on that day. It was like, click click what its a already one hour, click click what! its getting really dark and we are only half way through. Anyway I will just keep the Portra 800 for part 3 during Septmeber. Hopefully I will get better next try. Really need to shoot more with it.

Now back to shoot, this shot was fairly simple. One light, a 120cm Octagon without diffuser. I wanted something a bit specular, not harsh harsh light and a bit more control in light spread. Without diffuser I am able to get ½ stop more from it. The light was placed about 2.1-2.2m on the right. Model is Maggie and Tejal, great models with lots of potential. They manage to get into characters fast which is a hard thing to do on location.

Stylist is Rae, my lovely wife : > who also tag along and act as assistant. Make up by Ayden a friend and a very talented makeup artist.

Continuous Fluorescent Light (Technical), Photography with Continuous Fluorescent Lights

 

[wahgongzai]

Hi all, it's been a while I updated this thread. Busy with stuffs, I'm glad to share that I have completed Polaroid Gals 3 – The Twins a week ago. It was one of the most difficult shoots I did . Same as usual, make tons of mistakes but learn a lot from it : >

​

The left image above was shot by me and the right image by my wife. This is not to compare which is better than the other. Rather it is to share with you guys a big mistake I made on this shoot... I failed to see the beautiful light available for me to use. I got so obsessed using flash to create “artificial light” that I never take a moment to stand there and try to look for good “natural light”. When I went back home, I realised that 100% of my images were shot with flashes.

Now, it does not mean that flash sucks. Personally I think, as a photographer, it's good to balance your work with strobist and ambient light work. You have more choices when come to final edit and at the same time sharpen your skills to hunt for good available light when flash can't be use... One of the major advantages of ambient light is what you see is what you get, you don't need to spend time tweaking the shot by moving or adjusting the flash.

 

[wahgongzai]

Hi all again : > I seldom post twice in a day. But this thread is special. Strobist with SUNPAK 120J have reached its 100th thread post. :cheers:

4 yrs ago, I started this thread to share what I have learn mostly from others. The 1st post was a 120J product shot setup using just one light, after which I created the a “tribute” mock up ad using that image. Since this is a special post, I decided to create another tribute ad posters below

Technically still one light, however instead getting it in one shot. I lit the 120Js at one area at a time. Sort of like a “flash” light painting, instead of a torch light, a 120J with a grid was used.

Nikon D70 mounted on a tripod on manual focus. First one from the left. F8 1/3sec to show you guys how the 120Js was mounted. The second image you can see a 120J with a 5x5 grid lighting the back of another 120J to give a rim at its edges and barebulb. At F8 1/1000sec, ambient light is totally none existence. Lastly with a bit of Photoshop magic dust and Voila!

Again I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who keeps coming back and visit this thread, fellow photographers who have shared their setup and thoughts and bros who have given “ups” and words of encouragements.

Hope in the future I get to share more stuff with you guys and more can join in and share your experience. Keep shooting Pixels and Film everyone, cheers!