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Oct 9, 2017 07:59:26   #
Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.
 
Golden Rule wrote:
I just figured out how to trigger my Westcott Stobelight and now I'm really confused. First, I was extremely underexposed using just a strobe with shutter speed at 125, f8, ISO 100. The photo was completely black so I added two soft boxes for ambient light so I could get an exposure reading of 80, f2.8, ISO 320. I thought the strobe would add some light so I could increase my aperture and keep the ISO at 100 or so. What am I doing wrong? I watched some youtubes and the presenter was in total darkness shooting at higher shutter, aperture and lower ISO. This has got to be user confusion. The strobe is camera right and maybe 3 1/2 feet from dog on full power. I actually thought the dog would be blown out but nothing happened at all.
I just figured out how to trigger my Westcott Stob... (show quote)


Off topic, but nice looking sewing machine!

Second the yongnuo trigger suggestion.

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Oct 9, 2017 08:11:27   #
GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City
 
Gene51 wrote:
The least expensive RF wireless system with TTL I have found to be reliable is the one made by Yongnuo.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1193861-REG/yongnuo_yn622n_ii_i_ttl_transceiver_yn622n_for.html

And this if you would like to add a hot shoe mounted controller and bypass the in camera settings

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1086002-REG/yongnuo_yn_622n_tx_i_ttl_wireless_flash.html

With two external flash units you will either need three transceivers, or 2 transceivers and a controller if you wan to bypass the camera to set the flash levels.
The least expensive RF wireless system with TTL I ... (show quote)

A Yongnou radio system would be a great addition, but the OP is using a "Westcott Stobelight"
I assume that means a Westcott monolight, and as far as I know, only has a manual power control. It would work great but not in TTL.

GoldenRule, is this what you are using?
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&O=&Q=&ap=y&c3api=1876%2C%7Bcreative%7D%2C%7Bkeyword%7D&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIt6O718Hj1gIVgZN-Ch252AM3EAQYAiABEgIwuPD_BwE&is=REG&m=Y&sku=541985

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Oct 9, 2017 08:51:56   #
LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field
 
Here's another option:
https://www.adorama.com/fplfx600bn.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImsvj08nj1gIVQWt-Ch2mhwkiEAQYBSABEgIaa_D_BwE

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Oct 9, 2017 09:01:42   #
GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City
 


I want a couple of those!
Seriously.
My Bowens lights are getting old...20 years at least.

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Oct 9, 2017 09:18:38   #
LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field
 
GoofyNewfie wrote:
I want a couple of those!
Seriously.
My Bowens lights are getting old...20 years at least.


If I was still doing work that required "portable" studio lighting, this is the way I would go. The R2 receiver is an excellent easy to use device. Simpler than my SU800.

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Oct 9, 2017 09:41:57   #
GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City
 
LoneRangeFinder wrote:
If I was still doing work that required "portable" studio lighting, this is the way I would go. The R2 receiver is an excellent easy to use device. Simpler than my SU800.


The new Godox transmitter lets you shoot your first shot in TTL , then you can push a button and transfer the power output it used for every light to manual. Gets you really close the very first time.
"The TCM function lets you fire a test shot in TTL, and then the Xpro saves the power setting and applies it in manual on the same group.
This way you can adjust the result or carry on shooting without a preflash."


The new transmitter is due out soon and is about $70.
https://petapixel.com/2017/09/26/hands-godoxs-xpro-transmitter-raises-bar/

Again, this won't work with the OP's Westcott monolight without using a Godox receiver and will only trigger, not control the power output on it.

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Oct 9, 2017 10:33:17   #
LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field
 
GoofyNewfie wrote:
The new Godox transmitter lets you shoot your first shot in TTL , then you can push a button and transfer the power output it used for every light to manual. Gets you really close the very first time.
"The TCM function lets you fire a test shot in TTL, and then the Xpro saves the power setting and applies it in manual on the same group.
This way you can adjust the result or carry on shooting without a preflash."


The new transmitter is due out soon and is about $70.
https://petapixel.com/2017/09/26/hands-godoxs-xpro-transmitter-raises-bar/

Again, this won't work with the OP's Westcott monolight without using a Godox receiver and will only trigger, not control the power output on it.
The new Godox transmitter lets you shoot your firs... (show quote)

That new transmitter looks like a winner.

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Oct 9, 2017 10:42:22   #
Golden Rule Loc: Washington State
 
I do want to go manual on my lights and plan on using one strobe with an octagon softbox pointed down to spread the light and position the softboxes as needed to make the dog or cat stand out from the background. This is what I'm doing with two softboxes right now and I want to make the shots better.


(Download)


(Download)

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Oct 9, 2017 10:46:05   #
GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City
 
Golden Rule wrote:
I do want to go manual on my lights and plan on using one strobe with an octagon softbox pointed down to spread the light and position the softboxes as needed to make the dog or cat stand out from the background. This is what I'm doing with two softboxes right now and I want to make the shots better.


Are you using continuous light in the softboxes or flash of some kind?

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Oct 9, 2017 10:49:44   #
Golden Rule Loc: Washington State
 
GoofyNewfie wrote:
Are you using continuous light in the softboxes or flash of some kind?


Continuous light only.

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Oct 9, 2017 10:56:09   #
Golden Rule Loc: Washington State
 
Would I be better served getting a speedlight and use it with a light modifier?

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Oct 9, 2017 11:04:05   #
GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City
 
Golden Rule wrote:
Would I be better served getting a speedlight and use it with a light modifier?

That's what I do, but I tend to use what I have and I have a bunch of speedlights.
I prefer not to mix lighting types: flash vs continuous- and within that category there are CFL, LED, Tungsten quartz.... unless it's for an effect.
You'll still have the modeling light of your main light, the Westcott.
Depends on how the animals react to it.

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Oct 9, 2017 11:21:46   #
Golden Rule Loc: Washington State
 
GoofyNewfie wrote:
That's what I do, but I tend to use what I have and I have a bunch of speedlights.
I prefer not to mix lighting types: flash vs continuous- and within that category there are CFL, LED, Tungsten quartz.... unless it's for an effect.
You'll still have the modeling light of your main light, the Westcott.
Depends on how the animals react to it.


None of the pets reacted to the flash from the Westcott when I was trying it out so they would probably be fine with a speedlight firing especially if it is in a softbox. Would it be good to start out with a Yongnuo speedlight and if so will I need to buy a controller and transceiver to communicate? I will probably go manual on everything just because it will make me learn what does and doesn't work.

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Oct 9, 2017 11:54:03   #
Golden Rule Loc: Washington State
 
Gene51 wrote:
The least expensive RF wireless system with TTL I have found to be reliable is the one made by Yongnuo.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1193861-REG/yongnuo_yn622n_ii_i_ttl_transceiver_yn622n_for.html

And this if you would like to add a hot shoe mounted controller and bypass the in camera settings

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1086002-REG/yongnuo_yn_622n_tx_i_ttl_wireless_flash.html

With two external flash units you will either need three transceivers, or 2 transceivers and a controller if you wan to bypass the camera to set the flash levels.
The least expensive RF wireless system with TTL I ... (show quote)

Gene, if I go manual with whatever light source I end up with will the controller and transceivers you posted work even if I end up going with speedlight or strobe light?

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Oct 9, 2017 11:56:59   #
Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina
 
I would say the key thing to decide is if you want a TTL setup or manual with remote triggering. There are solutions at various price points once you make that decision. The other choice is if you want Speedlites or monolights. Speedlites are more useful if you want to take the stuff outdoors to shoot. Either can work OK indoors, but monolights are generally more powerful. Most need a power supply or the ability to plug to a wall outlet.

Also keep in mind the inverse square law and the impact that can have on your lighting setups. A light meter can also be very useful in you want to invest in one and a little time in learning how to use it. You may also want to consider a grid for your soft boxes if you don't have one. I would recommend you look at Robert Harrington's one Speedlite videos at B&H Event Space on YouTube. He will give a lot of ideas of what you can do with one light and a few different modifiers.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

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