Off Camera Flash

I have been asked many times, what to buy as far as off camera flash. This is a list, of products that I have used, or will use in the future.

My Suggestions

• SMALL FLASHES Canon calls them “Speedlites” Nikon calls them “Speedlights” (I would recommend you get at least one flash made from your manufacturer)
  • Best and similar power
    • Nikon SB 900 ~$510
    • Canon 580EXII ~$490
    • LumoPro LP160 (3rd Party and not Automatic) ~$160
  • Medium Size but still plenty of power
    • Nikon SB 700 ~$330
    • Canon 430EXII ~$290
    • Yongnuo Manual Flash YN560 (3rd Party and not Automatic) ~$80
  • Great Studio Flash
    • AlienBees (Made in the USA by Paul C. Buff) ~$230, $280, $360
      • Add portable power ~$240
• TRIGGERS (Remotes)
  • Cables (Cheapest way to go, but limited in use)
    • Canon for use in Auto or Manual Modes
      • Canon OC-E3 – 2 foot coiled ~$70
      • Pearstone Canon TTL (3rd Party) – 3 foot coiled ~$16
      • Flash Zebra, 3 foot coiled, 16 foot Straight, 24 foot Straight ~$35 – $56
    • Nikon for use in Auto or Manual Modes
      • Nikon  SC-28 TTL – 9 foot coiled ~$57
      • Flash Zebra, 3 foot coiled, 16 foot Straight, 24 foot Straight ~$35 – $56
    • Nikon Canon or other camera models USED IN MANUAL MODE ONLY
      • Flash Zebra, 16 foot straight ~$26
    • Lots of other cable options here
  • Wireless Using Radio Frequencies (Goes through walls, works in bright daylight, not auto)
    • CyberSync CST Transmitter (you only need one) (Made in USA by Paul C. Buff) ~$60
    • CyberSync CSRB Receiver (you need one per flash) (Made in USA by Paul C. Buff) ~ $70
    • Elinchrom SkyPort SPEED Transmitter (you only need one) ~$105
    • Elinchrom SkyPort SPEED Receiver (you need one per flash) ~$90
    • Elinchrom SkyPort SPEED a set of one transmitter and one receiver ~$177
    • Gadget Infinity Cactus V4 set of one transmitter and one receiver (need the set for one flash) ~$46
    • Gadget Infinity Cactus V4 one receiver (for additional flashes) ~$29
    • Gadget Infinity Cactus V5 set of 2 each unit is a transmitter and a receiver (this set is for one flash) ~$60
    • Gadget Infinity Cactus V5 set of 1 each unit is a transmitter and a receiver (you need one for each additional flash) ~$35
    • FlashZebra Hot Shoe for use with Small Flashes (You need one for each flash) ~$17
  • Wireless Using Light AUTO (MUST be used with manufacturers flashes)
    • Built in the camera (some Nikons and Canons have this functionality built in) ~ $FREE
    • Canon IR Transmitter ST-E2 ~$224
    • Nikon IR Transmitter SU-800 ~$250
  • Wireless Using Light MANUAL (make sure you get one that will work with your flash)
    • Optical Slaves, Some Flashes have this built in, LumoPro 160, Nikon SB 900, Nikon SB 700 (check first)
• LIGHT STANDS
  • Impact Light Stand 6′ ~$20
  • Impact Light Stand 10′ ~$45
  • Impact Heavy Duty Light Stand 9.5′ ~$39
  • Manfrotto Bogen Justin Clamp ~$54
  • Manfrotto Bogen Clamp ~$27
• UMBRELLA ADAPTERS for Light Stands (you don’t need these if using studio flashes)
  • FlashZebra Umbrella Adapter #0041 ~$14
  • Impact Deluxe Umbrella Adapter ~$25
  • Impact Umbrella Adapter ~$18
• LIGHT MODIFIERS
  • Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible ~$60
  • Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal ~$50
  • Gadget Infinity misc diffusers ~$7 and up
  • Impact Convertible Umbrella Small 32″ ~$12
  • Impact Convertible Umbrella Medium 45″ ~$15
  • Impact Convertible Umbrella Large 60″ ~$30
  • Westcott Apollo Softbox 28″ for small flashes from B&H ~$115
  • Westcott Apollo Softbox 28″ for small flashes from MPEX ~$125
  • LumiQuest snoots and grids
  • Honl Photo snoots and grids
  • Gadget Infinity snoots and grids
  • Or do it yourself
• KITS
  • Impact 2 Umbrellas, 2 Light Stands, 2 Umbrella Adapters ~$99
  • MPEX 2 Umbrellas, 2 Light Stands, 2 Umbrella Adapters, Cases + More ~$189
  • MPEX with 2 LP160 Flashes, and cable type triggers 2 Umbrellas, 2 Light Stands, 2 Umbrella Adapters, Cases + More ~$490
  • MPEX with Wireless Cactus V4 Radio type triggers 2 Umbrellas, 2 Light Stands, 2 Umbrella Adapters, Cases + More ~$530
  • MPEX More Kits
• HOW DO I USE ALL OF THIS STUFF
  • Online Training
    • Strobist Lighting 101 David Hobby ~FREE
  • DVD’s
    • Strobist Lighting in Layers David Hobby ~$160
    • One Light Workshop DVD ~$250
  • Workshops
    • Small Strobes Big Results David Tejada ~$395
    • One Light Workshop Zack Aria ~$800
    • Upcoming JBAT Photography workshop ~less than $100