Portable studio flash

I'm looking at putting together a small and cheap portable studio lighting setup.

I have the flashes (2 X AF540FGZ and 2 X AF360 FGZ) so no problem there.

I need a couple of stands, flash brackets, umbrellas/softboxes.

Does anybody have any recommendations. I've only looked at ebay so far and all kit I've found is located in Hong Kong. That's not an issue as long as the kit is of reasonable quality.

I would also recommend you get a couple of reflectors. You may think that it may not be necessary since you already have 4 flashes (you make me proud) but there's a certain visual quality that comes from reflected light that you just cant duplicate with a flash. Also, that'll free up a flash for things like kicker and rim lighting.

The stands I bought already have the flash bracket on it that you can take off if you're going to use an AC strobe. But you can always get that separately, make sure to ask.

I live in New York so we have a lot of places to get equipment, like B&H for example. (bhphoto.com) But I can only imagine what the shipping costs would be from here to Spain. The British Pentaxians talk about Jessops a lot. Maybe that would be a better choice for you?

Thanks for your comments. I do have a reflector which I've used very occasionally. Another ebay purchase, it's a 5 in 1 tool, gold, silver, white, black and shoot through.

Whilst I live in Spain, I buy almost everything from UK.

Peter, all my stands, reflectors etc. came from HK. The postage was the same as the goods but the quality is superb and a fraction of the UK prices (5 in 1 42" reflector £5.90!!!!!!!!! As good as Lastolite except for the case). I particularly recommend a reflector arm that fastens a refelector to a lighting stand or tripod and holds it in just about any position you want - possibly the most useful piece of kit I've ever bought. link

Ken

I bought my Hama shoot-through brolly from Castle Cameras - about £30. It's rather nice. Has a hotshoe mount and a tripod thread.
Generally I use it on a tripod, but a stand would be better
Matt

Thanks to all for your comments. HK it'll be then . . . probably. I'll take a look at Castle Cameras too Matt.

Peter,
If it helps, it's one of these. The bracket alone is this (but it's included in the brolly ).
Matt

Thanks Matt. Can you tell me the open diameter of the brolly?

Hi Peter - 32inches (90cm) when opened. 7dayshop have it (though not in stock) : here
Might get myself another one
Matt

That's an excellent price Matt, and free delivery too. Thanks for the link.

I just did the exact same purchase as you intend on doing.

- 2 brollies + flash brackets from HK - great value, seems quite a good product.
- 2 Lighting stands from the UK, about £25 with postage. Lightweight, not for heavy equipment, but absolutely perfect for the umbrellas.
- The only expensive piece of equipment I bought is the Lastolite Ezybox 60x60 which is absolutely amazing. Incredible quality, and results beyond belief. £110 from calumet. Definitely something to add if you don't already own a softbox - much much better than the umbrellas.

If you would like the links on each product please let me know.

Nathan

Nathan,

How different is the lighting from your Lastolite Ezybox compared to a shoot through brolly? I would have thought they would be very similar.

Thanks for all your advice on this topic. I have one further question before placing my order with 7Dayshop (who have no white umbrellas in stock at the moment).

Q: If the Hama brolly bracket 6091 has a threaded screw hole both ends, how do you actually mount the flash to the bracket. The only hot shoe mounts I've ever seen have a similar threaded screw hole. Female to female doesn't go together?

Anyone know of a source of male threaded hot shoe mounts?

For info: I have considered various mains powered strobe lighting setups but as I already have enough battery powered flashes of almost the same capacity as 200/400 strobes (2 x AF540FGZ, 2 x AF360FGZ, 1 X AF500FTZ), I decided to use them and get the stands and brollies etc to go with them. At least then the whole setup is extremely portable.

I'm going for 3 stands, 2 white brollies, 1 silver brolly. I might invest in the Ezybox at a later stage. I already have radio triggers but again, they have female threaded screw holes.

There is a cheaper Ezybox made for portable flashguns. I'd go for that rather than a brolly which are more suitable for mains flash heads. The big advantage with the Ezybox is that the flash goes through a double skin. The lighting on the portraits that Nathan posted is unbelievable for such a small setup.

shim

HUGE SMILE ON MY FACE!!!

Thank you Shim!