You could use a camera tripod, with an adapter, but you really need the height of a dedicated light stand, if your subject is going to be higher than just a few feet. The mount I use is designed to slip over a "spigot" that is standard on most light stands, but is not part of a tripod. But if you just want to get your feet wet in the world of off-camera flash, whatever holds the flash for you is fine!
Matthew Riondino - Thanks for the reply but I have owned a 580 EX 2 and a T5 for two years and haven't been able to get the flash to trigger optically. I bought the flash used and downloaded the user manual and cannot find how to make that happen. 🤔I guess I should read the manual backward as well as forward but, before I got my 580 EX 2, I'd have assumed that optically triggering a speedlite would be almost as simple as switching it on.😅
Michael Henderson - Thank you, sir. That explains a LOT! I have. Rebel T5 without the "i" and I noticed a month or so into owning it, that it was missing LOTS of stuff so, I kinda already suspected that maybe it had something to do with my camera body feature set... Well.... Yet another reason to step on over to a better body.
Hey Michael, I noticed your photo reviews seem to be far and few between. I like your laid back style and easy to understand explanations of what you use and why. Any idea if you will pick up the pace and publish more photography videos? Thanks. Jeff in Indiana
Hi Jeff, thanks for your interest! I tend to juggle quite a bit of things at once. I'm an industrial photographer for a steel mill, as well as about a half dozen other side projects, including some local workshops. With an empty nest this summer (as of next week), I expect to have more free time to get some videos out. At least, that's the plan!
I understand, and thanks much. I've been a newspaper photographer for 34 years and I'm used to showing up to an assignment, wam, bam and out the door, including sports which most high schools and some universities don't permit any kind of strobe. I became really bored with my work until I discovered lighting, better and different ways to light a situation and I'm enjoying my career again, so I liked the simplicity of your videos, you know, step 1, step 2, and so forth. Looking forward to more. Jeff
Clamp it hard. You won't break speedlight by tightening screw by hand. I did it lightly once, and speedlight dropped out to the floor. Fortunatelly, survived, but I could easy lose it that way.
Thank you! I've been anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring here, so I can get out and do more location shoots. Lately I've been shooting portraits within a steel mill, but it is corporate work whic I can't share with the public.
Yes, you can use a grid with it. In fact they sell the package with a grid. The "velcro" strip is plenty wide enough to attach the grid and the diffuser.
kevin, have you ever seen the grids sold separately? I often get that question, but I haven't found a source. I have a 24" Cheetah Qbox that came with a grid, but when I bought the Neewer, the suppliers were out of the 32" version with the grid; and I figured if I needed one, I'd just use the Cheetah.
Why do you use a softbox for outdoor shoots? It's way easier to use a small shoot through umbrella to get the exact same effect. (Some wind would blow both of them.) In the studio however, the softbox gives a superior control of the lighting.
Wind catches an umbrella more than a box. I do prefer the simplicity of an umbrella, so that's normally what I use. But for this video I just wanted to demo the Neewer unit.
I've have had both, the Neewer Softbox and the Godox Umbrella Softbox where you shoot from the middle of the softbox facing the back. Personally, I prefer the light quality of the Godox as it gives better contrast on a flat day but not to the extent of making the light over hard. Good video though, and it's all down to personal taste. I do like to see a photographer who will alter his setting explaining why rather than pretend he got it right from the start.
+Mark Harris I love bounce umbrellas! I used them for years, but when I started using speedlights in the field, I was shooting wireless optically, and it became a problem getting clear line of sight for the signal. sSo I started using shoot-throughs instead, and got really attached to them. Umbrellas can sometimes get a little unwieldy in the wind, though, so I decided to try some of the new collapsible softboxes, hence this video. But I've finally stepped up to radio, so I plan to break out the old bounce umbrellas once again and see how they stack up against the softboxes. I expect to lose a little power, which can be a problem in daylight conditions. But stay tuned, maybe I'll post a video of my findings.
+Michael Henderson The Godox are a cross between bounce umbrellas and a softbox, totally agree about the challenges of the wind. I really like the fairly new Yongnuo yn685 speedlights with the yn622tx-c radio trigger, got a set of three and said trigger for less than my Canon 580 and there's no difference in the colour, got high speed sync as well as rear and front curtain. Please post some more videos, I like your approach, the courtesy of your quick replies and how you open debate.
I like the portability and the versatility of this softbox...I am definitely sold on the availability of the speedlight mounting clamp with the shoe exposed for a remote trigger if you are not using the i-TTL configuration of a NIKON... I have checked its EXCELLENT price and the 32" size is perfect. Excellent Demo! Have you tried Remote Pocket Triggering with it?
Thanks for this review. I bought the 32 through your site based on your recommendation. Excellent value. I also ordered a 24 (mostly for the grid option).
Couple of questions (I'm new so keep that in mind). You mentioned 4 to 1 power ratio or something like that? What did you mean by that? Also, when you said you are setting your ambient background settings, what exactly are you setting on the camera? Thx.
Good questions! The ratio is how TTL systems control the power between the main flash and the fill. The various manufacturers express it differently, but in a 4:1 situation, the main light is 4 times brighter than the fill. This also applies to setting power manually, but it involves a little math, rather than just choosing it on the display. When setting ambient, all I'm doing it looking at the scene and (manually) adjusting my aperture, shutter speed, and chosen ISO until I get the scene to look the way I want. Once that is done, I don't touch the camera settings again, just the flash settings.
You're using an ND filter, correct? If so, what ND filter exactly? (btw, I have that Sigma 17-50 also and I love it! I have more expensive lenses, but that thing is amazing for the price)
Actually, I'm using a polarizer. Occasionally I'll resort to an ND, but since I shoot around water so much, I keep a polarizer on my lens most of the time, and then I can cut a stop or two when I need it. The one I use is B+W. Yes, those Sigmas are a lot of bang for the buck!
Hi Jerry, here are my recommendations for basic gear, including the stand I used in this video. The good news is, it now costs less than I paid for it. Keep in mind, this is not top-of-the-line gear; it's the minimum I'd recommend. But this one is really sturdy for the money. After I used it for awhile, the mount on top (technically called a spigot) came loose, and I put it back in with some good epoxy. Since then, I've had no problems with it. But for the price, you can afford several. www.recordedlight.com/gear-recommendations/
Hi Michael, I love your video so much, if possible, may I invite you to try out our softbox kit or other photography equipment, such as flash Speedlite or tripod. Looking forward to your reply, anyone wants to try out photography equipment can also contact me. Thank you so much
Hi Michael, I am very happy to hear from you. May I have your email that I can send the picture to you, or you can contact me, my email is jklibingbing@gmail.com. looking forward to your reply, thanks
Ideally you want it as close as possible, yes. But if you have enough power and the light doesn't have to be really soft, you can get it pretty far away. The proof here is in the results.
The one I used in this video is a Fotodiox 8.5' stand. I really like it for working on location. I have more info on it here: www.recordedlight.com/gear-recommendations/
Om Arsu yes, high speed sync will work with this setup. I rarely use it, because it reduces flash power and drains batteries faster, but it has its purpose.
The softbox has held up quite well since I got it. it has gone down a couple times in wind or uneven surfaces, with no damage. The stand has been great, although the brass "spigot" came loose; it is glued into the aluminum shaft, with a securing screw. I reglued it with a good epoxy, put in a beefier screw, and now it's very solid.
Definitely! There are limitations, of course; working in full mid-day sun is going to be a challenge. When using speedlights, I much prefer early or late sun, or overcast days, open shade, etc. But I feel that people underestimate the potential of (high end) speedlights.
I love the AD200! I also love the AD360. But if you can't afford those, there's no reason you can't still shoot outdoors with what you have. Stay tuned for some vids with Godox gear...
Michael Henderson given the power output of speedlights, which is only 60watts, it'd be near impossible for someone to use that if they're shooting in broad daylight and want to use high speed sync. But I prefer the ad600 since it gives you more options.
To me, led panels is the future of lighting. Soft box take up a lot of space, and outdoors the wind is a big issue. Bought their led panel, love the fact that it is more compact.
Especial 2X1 there aint anything bad about the gal..plus his idea was to demonstrate stuff about the device not so much the gal..it would've helpd if she she strikes some poses but nonetheless his idea was great imo
She's not terrible, she just acted a bit like she didn't want to be there. I bet it's his daughter. Photographer kids do that a lot. My 5 year olds run away and hide as soon as they see me with camera 🤣 (can't blame them, bc they are my main subjects every single day hahaha)
