White Lightning Question and Nikon CLS question

[jana w.]

I am looking into getting some studio gear in the next few months. I know I

want to go with White Lighting. I have thought about getting 1 x1600 light

(main light), and 3 X800 lights (for fill, hair, and background lights). I on

using these in a studio 90% of the time. However, if I needed to use them

outside the studio, is this enough power to light most situations? Also, I have

heard that the WL stands are not all that great (cheaply made). Should I go

with another brand and should I go with air-cushioned? Are thier softboxes ok

to use? Should I invest in a beauty dish or would softboxes be better? WL has

come out with foldable softboxes with a recessed lip to attach grids and

lourves (when they come out). Should I get a medium box (24x36") with grid for

hair light or just a grid that goes onto the reflector? I plan on buying

umbrellas as well (3). Should I go with a silver/white reversable, gold/silver

reversable, or a shoot-thru umbrella that can be used as a white bouce if the

black cover is put on?

 

OK, second issue. I am planning on getting a SB800 flash (currently have the

SB600 flash) to start using the CLS for weddings. I plan to use CLS only during

formals and during the reception. I plan on leaving the SB800 on my main camera

(D200) and the SB600 on my second camera (D70s) for everything else. Should I

use an umbrella on a lightstand with the SB600 for the formals and reception?

I obsessivly manually power down my flash. In most cases the TTL mode is just

too strong of output. For the CLS should I just let the TTL do its thing and

not manually power it down?

 

THANKS in advance

[savagesax]

I'm not advising getting these smaller units. In a huge reception hall they "Probably," won't give out enough kick. For these large rooms or evening outside weddings I prefer to go bare bulb or use umbrellas with 4 lights set up. I use the 3200 models, but you don't need that much power. Smaller rooms, 2 lights are fine, one light on each side of the dance floor.

 

The same applies with the SB600 and an umbrella. Not sure if you would get the beautiful, quality lighting you seem to be asking for, but everyone has there own style, so if you shoot at 2.8 or F4 most of the time, these smaller lights will work fine. If I'm gonna buy lights that cost a bit of money I prefer to get the most power I can. At weddings, I don't think I ever pumped up the 3200 models to full power, but I have in other situations, such as beach shots to balance the harsh sun.

[twmeyer]

You can photograph a wedding well with as little as an SB800 and a single head 400ws battery powered strobe with a 45" or a 60" umbrella. To be responsible, you need backups for all your equipment. To be efficient, you need an assistant. <p>The SB8oo on a stand, in an umbrella is fine for portraits of one, maybe two people, but only head and shoulders type stuff. The SB600 is too weak for this sort of work, especially professional work. <p>You need more power for groups, and precise manual control, not TTL. Look at ABs, Lumedyne (my preference), Calumet Travelites, Quantum, and other battery powered strobes in the 400ws range. One large umbrella is fine for groups up to 15 or 20, but you have to be experienced in placing and feathering the light precisely. <p>Note that none of Bob's posted images use the 4 umbrellas he mentions. <p>Post your questions on the wedding and event forum for more feedback... t

[enzo_simonelli]

SB800 can prevent its pre-flash from firing and then, it can take place inside a Studio-Flashers set-up; e.g. SB800 as on-Camera triggering unit in full Manual setting.

 

Not sure for SB600, if it goes Manual-mode through the Camera only, maybe it persists emitting pre-flash; if so, it as triggering unit would fire the slave Strobes prematurely.