Dziadzi Loc: Wilkes-Barre, PA

I have two flashes that can be fired remotely (one is a Nikon SB800). I would like to purchase lighting equipment that I can use with these flashes. I don't have a lot of room, nor a lot of money. I am thinking about buying 2 stands, 2 holders (for lack of the professional term), and umbrellas for some occasional portrait photography of my grandchildren. I see this setup being highly rated on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QRX4PC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_2&smid=A3JD14OD11FZKR

I don't want to get into other types of lighting since I have the two remote flashes readily available. Maybe at some future date. Please recommend something along the lines of what I have just described. I am unsure if I should buy a kit such as the one on Amazon, or purchase specific pieces to make my own kit. I was thinking of softboxes instead of umbrellas, but I can't find any that work with off-camera remote flashes. Your thoughts are appreciated! Thanks for reading this message :D

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

OK you say you have 2 flashes that can be fired remotely, but do you have the remote triggers and receivers? This setup although very Cheep will do the trick. A softbox has nothing to do with off camera trigger or not, the light modifier does not care how the flash is triggered, but you will need a trigger set. One goes on your camera hotshoe, and the receiver goes on your remote flash. The only question with triggers is do you want them to transmit TTL or not? TTL triggers will cost a little more, below is a Amazon Prime cost of triggers.

So I would say yes this setup will do the trick providing you also get the trigger/receiver combination for your camera. The triggers that carry TTL are camera specific so make sure you get the triggers compatible with your camera. This setup will allow for a softbox to be purchased at a later time as well if you want to change up light modifiers. Eventually you will discover you need three light sources for portrait work, but you can bounce the third.

On a safety note: these stands are very lightweight and cheep, I would keep them sandbagged pretty well while children are around

Trigger and receiver
http://www.amazon.com/Yongnuo-YN-622N-USA-Wireless-Transceiver-Warranty/dp/B00I44F0RM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457694900&sr=8-1&keywords=yn622n

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

The only thing I would add or clarify about what Capture48 said is:

1.) You only need a transmitter and receiver; the other flash (or more) can be set to go off when it detects another flash going off. You won't need a trigger for each flash that you add.

2.) As Capture48 said; TTL or manual will work, TTL is more expensive though. (and in my opinion, less intuitive to use) With manual, it comes down to distance of light to subject and power setting so it makes the whole thing easy to understand.

3.) Something that Capture48 didn't mention that I would recommend is to get an incident meter. Yes, I know you can fake it in, and folks will balk at this idea but even if you buy a second hand meter from Ebay and not the best meter it's worth it's weight in gold both in consistency and speed of set up and it's amazing ability to teach you how light behaves.

If you use a meter, it spits out a real number, not a "that's good enough" sort of answer and because of that you learn to recognize the settings quickly; much faster than chimping it in or just taking guesses.

Example: When you set your umbrella up and it's 18" away from your grandchilds face at 1/3 power, and you meter it at f/4; then it will ALWAYS METER f/4 if you set it up that way. If you think about it...when you find a set up that works...you can almost get away without a meter because by using a meter to tell you what the value of your distance+power choice is...you now know to set your camera on f/4.

Then when you want to fill in the other side of your grandchilds face you can pop the meter again and move the flash or reflector back and forth until you get the ratio you need (or change the power for the same reason)

Does that make sense?

If you need more detailed help just PM me.

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

I didn't mention a meter because of the OP's budget, but if it's in the budget, I totally agree.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

That's what I assumed. And PS: you explained the options very well.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Dziadzi,
As you may already know, your Nikon D7100 pop-up flash has a "Commander Mode" for triggering and controlling remote flashes like the SB-800. It works in TTL or manual and the settings can be adjusted from the camera's menu. It uses an optical infrared system but contrary to other's warnings about the sensitivity, I have used it outside in full sunlight with no issues. Indoors, you should not have any problem. Not sure if your other flash is capable because you don't mention the model.

I use the Interfit Strobies softbox and mount. (I have 3 of them) The softbox folds up nicely when not in use. The mount allows you to rotate the flash sensor to face the camera. The 24" size works well for single portraits, getting more than one person may be stretching it. The flash mount has an umbrella adapter on it as well so getting the light bigger would be cheap. It also has a Bowens "S" type mount so you can add any type of modifier to the flash that is "S" compatible, like reflectors and speedrings for different softboxes. I have an old a 30" x 40" Plume Wafer when I need the extra size.

Rick36203 Loc: Northeast Alabama

If you like the easy setup of an umbrella, you will probably like one of the Fotodiox 'EZ-Pro' series softbox models. They are a bit more than the Interfit that Goofynewfie recommended, but a good bit less than Wescott products.

Almost any size is available with a speedlight speedring. Using the larger sizes (60" Octabox, etc) would be asking a lot from a little speedlight though. A 24"x36" costs around $85. And, if you ever decide to get studio strobes, you can just get another speedring and use the same softbox.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_pg_1?fst=as%3Aoff&rh=n%3A172282%2Cn%3A502394%2Cn%3A7161086011%2Cn%3A3347871%2Cn%3A3109892011%2Cn%3A14014901%2Ck%3Afotodiox+ez-pro%2Cp_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A2892452011&keywords=fotodiox+ez-pro&ie=UTF8&qid=1457720073

Dziadzi Loc: Wilkes-Barre, PA

Thanks, Capture, I do have triggers.....Altura. The other flash is Altura as well. I just couldn't think of the name at the time.

http://www.amazon.com/Altura-Photo-Professional-Flash-NIKON/dp/B00H84WRK2/ref=sr_1_1?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1457723030&sr=1-1&keywords=altura+flash+for+nikon

Dziadzi Loc: Wilkes-Barre, PA

Thanks, Rick!

Dziadzi Loc: Wilkes-Barre, PA

Thanks, Goofy, I am acquainted with the "Commander" system, though I have never used it......yet.

Dziadzi Loc: Wilkes-Barre, PA

Thanks, Rpavich. Some of your info. is above my pay grade though. I will keep you in mind.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Give it a try!
It's one of the features you paid for with your camera and SB-800.
The photo below was shot with a Nikon D200 and 2 SB 800's- the flash in the box was covered by a piece of typing paper.

Even works in HSS mode.

Dziadzi Loc: Wilkes-Barre, PA

Thanks again, Goofy...........nice photo, I like the effect of the light in the box. You MUST be a PRO. :thumbup:

EddieC Loc: CT

Maybe a little off topic, but a lot of photographers are going to quality LED lighting. The are used a lot for video but also can be used for still work. Westcott makes light bars and Peter Hurley, a well known headshot photographer, uses Kino lights. These lights aren't cheap, but you can get daylight quality LED bulbs at 5500-6500K for cheap to use with umbrellas. Check out peterhurley.com

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

Peter does not sell or buy anything cheep, the problem is the OP has a limited budget to purchase an entire setup.