Questions for a strobist...

[hunter richards]

Hi,

I work full-time as a camera operator/dp (for moving images). I know about lights,rigging, gels, watts, metering, ect.

BUT I DONT KNOW JACK ABOUT SYNCING STROBES!

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So I have a Dslr. I want to use strobes when I go on still photography adventures or take pictures for friends and family. I could use contiuous lights... but that would really be a pain in the butt! (power, weight, heavy stands)

I was thinking that I want to buy a few sb800s, if the camera I am using doesnt have the "nikon creative lighting system" I guess i will need a few pocketwizards also.

Please educate me. What do I need to sync about 3 strobes from a camera? and how should I think about these strobes as far as measuring actual light output?

Thanks,

Hunter

[sinapps]

What camera do you have?

Nikon CLS is more than just a wireless sync - it allows you to set the power on each flash unit from the controller. If that is not a requirement, simple optical slaves are more cost effective than pocket wizards.

To measure you can either use a flash meter or just chimp until you get it right.

In fact, rather than buying a set of pocket wizards, you might want to get the D80 which supports the CLS. It will not cost much more than 2 pocket wizards.

[SilverWolf]

Well i guess it depends on how deep you want to go. I am not entirely familiar with the nikon line of flashes as I use Canon but if i'm not mistaken you should be able to fire them wirelessly and/or set them to fire when they detect a flash. Personally though I use Alienbees strobes for my photoshoots.

[hunter richards]

Thanks for some help,

I have a rebel right now (300d) but its really my wifes, I have a bunch of nikon lenses so I think I want a nikon body. I was looking at the D40 because its just the right size. I dont think the D40 has the CLS.

Could you tell me a bit more about about "optical slaves".

I dont have a huge budget, but I was thinking maybe 2500? I would rather spend more on strobes/lighting than the actuall camera. I dont care too much for camera marketing, and I dont need 16.7 million pixels.

So some flashes will detect another flash?

thanks again,

Hunter

[Jeff Anderson]

I love shooting with wireless flashes - I prefer to be cheap and just use manual flashes. Sunpak 383 is what I use mostly, have 3 and they are great. I just set them up with cheap optical slaves and fire with the onboard flash. Generally the subject is far enough away that a dialed down onboard flash doesnt have any effect on the photo but is enough to fire the big flashes.

[2 in the can]

If you want to learn about stobes a great resource is:

http://strobist.blogspot.com/

Allen

[hunter richards]

I just found that site a few months ago.
I have learned a lot from that site, they have great "lighting 101" tips I would reccomend to anybody.