D5000 and setting up a small studio

[cindygillespie]

<p>I have the D5000 kit lens 18-55, 35mm and the 55-200mm. I just purchased a SB600 and have been playing a bit with it... so far love it....being able to bounce the flash to fill is awesome. I also have my tripod. <br>

I have taken pictures for years... however, just of late I am being asked more and more to do portrait type photography and I believe that I need to set something up here at home or be able to travel with a light package to ensure those baby and family pictures turn out nicely.<br>

As I stated I am just mainly starting out so, I need to keep costs on the lower end and move up once I can.</p>

<p>Thank you all again,</p>

[cc_chang2]

<p>If you need to photograph using available (low) light, your kit is weak. The 35/1.8 is good for low light but when you get close to your subject, you may get distortion. You need either a 50mm or better something longer, such as the 85/1.8, which you need to MF on the D5000.</p>

[henryp]

<p>You can get a lot more light options from your SB600 if you move it off camera and add an umbrella. Any decent 6'-8' stand will do. A Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter + a shoe mount (or something similar - there are numerous models to choose from) and a white 45" (or thereabouts) umbrella will get you started. The D5000 can't be used in Commander Mode) to trigger the SB600 wirelessly, but http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/SB800_techniques.pdf has other options and suggestions.</p>

<p>Henry Posner<br /><strong>B&H Photo-Video</strong></p>

[robert_hooper1]

<p><a href="http://www.photoflex.com/First_Studio_Products/First_Studio_Portrait_Kit/index.html">Here is a very inexpensive way to get started</a> with Photoflex products. You can also take advantage of this company's <a href="http://www.photoflexlightingschool.com/">free lessions</a>.</p>

<p>B&H Photo also sells <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=First+Studio+Portrait+Kit&N=0&InitialSearch=yes">Photoflex products</a>.</p>

<p>You could also use your SB-600 with one of these umbrellas.</p>

[robert_hooper1]

<p><a href="http://www.photoflexlightingschool.com/Equipment_Lessons/First_Studio/Start-up_Lighting_for_SLRs_with_HD_Video/index.html">More direct link to lessons for you, Cynthia.</a></p>

[robert_hooper1]

<p><a href="http://www.photoflexlightingschool.com/Equipment_Lessons/First_Studio/index.html">Another good Photoflex link for the starter Kit.</a></p>

<p>A good thing about Photoflex is they provide you with great support.</p>

[robert_hooper1]

<p>How far away am I from getting two film cassettes next to my name? ;-)</p>

[cindygillespie]

<p>Robert thank you so very much !!!! I had stumbled on their site last week.... I have to say quite nice. I will defiantly keep the umbrella and soft box in mind. But, I was thinking to really do it right I needed two soft boxes and one umbrealla.....any thoughts on this? Shoot with just me we should be able to earn you those two film cassettes. LOL</p>

[robert_hooper1]

<p>I really recommend <strong>keeping things as simple as possible </strong>until you gain much more experience. In fact, you can do great things with just one light source and a reflector, (large piece of foamcore). Please believe me. Resist the impulse to acquire a lot of equipment right now. Learn to get the maximum result from the least investment. Later, you can add to your studio kit, like getting some <a href="http://www.white-lightning.com/">strobe lights</a>.</p>

[cindygillespie]

<p>I will defiantly order the starter light kit and play all fall and winter with every one that walks in the door. LOL I get a little crazy from time to time with the camera. Obviously I am the one behind so I don't mind. Never in front. LOL<br>

I can't thank you and everyone that answers my questions. This has got to be the most informative and valuable site to any level of photography.</p>

[elliot1]

<p>A photo.net friend recently recommended this to me:<br>

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-Universal-Diffuser-Olympus-External/dp/B0017U0WM8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1276717916&sr=8-1">http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-Universal-Diffuser-Olympus-External/dp/B0017U0WM8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1276717916&sr=8-1</a></p>

<p>I use them on multiple SB flashes and am getting umbrella like results. If you have a standard size ceiling, bouncing with or without these will also give umbrella like results. And they have an extremely small footprint.</p>

<p>Robert, how do you fire the lamps in the kit you linked to?</p>

[robert_hooper1]

<p>"Robert, how do you fire the lamps in the kit you linked to?"<br /><br /></p>

<p>You just plug them in to an electrical outlet. They are a continuous light source.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.photoflex.com/First_Studio_Products/First_Studio_Portrait_Kit/index.html">Watch the video here.</a></p>

[976photo]

<p>I think she means how does the camera trigger the strobes. I have the D5000 also, and normally you would plug the strobe light into the camera using the PC port. However, the D5000 does not have that connection.</p>

<p>There are two simple options, the cheapest is to buy a PC adapter that mounts to your hot-shoe. You'll plug the wire into that. They usually cost somewhere around $20 - $30</p>

<p>For a little more money you can go wireless, get a wireless transmitter and reciever. Again the transmitter will mount to your hot-shoe. The reciever obviously will plug into the light. I bought mine from Paul Buff, who makes the <strong>White Lightning</strong> lights. They're called CyberSync and I think they ran me about $70 - $80 each. There are other brands available, just do a search.</p>

<p>Edit: I just realized you said they were continous lights. Ignore my post unless you decide to get flash units instead.</p>

[976photo]

<p>FYI here's a link to the ones I was talking about:<br>

<a href="http://www.white-lightning.com/remotes.html">http://www.white-lightning.com/remotes.html</a></p>

<p>I bought the CST and the CSR, so it's actually a little cheaper than what I mentioned if you get those. Again, that's what you'd need if you get <strong>Flash</strong> units. If you buy continous lighting then you won't need anything extra.</p>

<p>And here's a link to a PC Hot Shoe adaptor:<br>

<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/37086-REG/Nikon_3066_AS_15_Sync_Terminal_Adapter.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/37086-REG/Nikon_3066_AS_15_Sync_Terminal_Adapter.html</a></p>

[robert_hooper1]

<blockquote>

<p>"I think she means how does the camera trigger the strobes."</p>

</blockquote>

<p>You misunderstand, Luc. These are not strobes. You can not "trigger" them. You turn them on or turn them off. <strong>They are on continuously when turned on </strong>and you can expose video with them if desired.</p>

<p>Please , you will confuse Cynthia and others.</p>

[976photo]

<p>Yes Robert, I misunderstood and realised that they were continous lights after I made the post. I also added an edit stating just that and to ignore what I posted unless she decided to purchase a flash unit instead. If she (or anyone else with a D5000) does get a flash unit, my information will be required if she is not aware of it before hand.</p>

<p>I am not trying to confuse, merely provide information to a fellow D5000 user. I made the mistake of not fully reading the information before I posted. I would ask you to not make that mistake, I did clarify in both posts.</p>

[robert_hooper1]

<p>I'm getting a headache and I still don't have two film cassettes next to my name.</p>

[cindygillespie]

<p>I have the sb600 but need additional light "at times" which the umbrella lights or a continuous soft box will work great with the foam core idea...<br>

You are all AWESOME !!!! I have gained an huge amount of experience and knowledge here. THANK YOU !!!!</p>

[wmervine]

<p>Hi Cynthia. I'm in a similar situation to you, owning a D5000 and SB600. I keep getting asked to do portraits, so I have also been looking at a cheap way to improve the lighting.<br>

Getting a softbox and having the flash off camera really does help alot. Another very cheap but useful investment is a collapsable reflector. Really useful.<br>

As for lenses, I went with the 50mm 1.4 AF-S. Not cheap, but a really good investment. My other suggestion is learn to use your flash in manual mode. I have found that often dropping it's output by 1 or 2 stops gives much better photos. </p>

[cindygillespie]

<p>Wayne... Thank you. I was leaning more toward the softboxes to start and maybe the umbrellas later. And as for the lens... I think I agree. I will be investing in the 50mm 1.4 here shortly. I do like the 35mm and the effects and quality so I am sure the 50mm will be outstanding also. I have a couple of little jobs to do and with those profits I will be moving into the 50mm and two softboxes with in the next couple of weeks. THANK YOU ALL so much for the wealth of knowledge.</p>