Test light box Tristar solutions for triggering flash cobra
October 10th, 2008
When looking to have a portable, lightweight standalone solution for artificial lighting a minimum working example in a portrait, the flashgun is self-evident.
This allows you to walk around with a mobile mini studio in his camera bag, the goal is obviously not replace a real studio but to provide a solution for specific needs, the benefits are many:
- It is relatively inexpensive (there is a very good opportunity to flash cobra 50 euros)
- It's very "portable" small, light and especially independent
Of course there are disadvantages:
- Compared with studio flash not playing in the same league in terms of power and recycle time (time needed to "recharge" between two trips)
- Accessories are less developed (light box, honeycomb, snoot etc ...)
And there are ways to mitigate these disadvantages:
- To reduce the time of recycling: We invest in quality batteries (GP 2700 for example), there are AC adapters for some flash, you can also mount sensitivity, approaching the light source about it, etc. ..
- In terms of accessories, professionals are currently developing various accessories (snoot, ringflash adapter) but nothing prevents you to do yours! Need a snoot placed three quarters to highlight your hair style? The leaves are cut with a box of spaghetti and puts it on top of your flash! site Strobist and Diyphotography references are real in terms of crafts and ideas.
Some manufacturers have realized the need for portability of a class of professionals and began to develop specific products for photographers "nomads".
I will discuss in this article an accessory that seems to me very useful in the context of a portrait: the small light box with Tristar (There are other brands making this type of product)
So I ordered two boxes of light at Tristar Missnumérique on the site , they are sold 55 euros each.
Everything is delivered in pizza boxes that have obviously suffered during transport.
It fits like a traditional light box, we just scratch the veil then spreading to the front of the box.
The advantage of this type of diffuser is to increase the surface of the flash and create a softer light with shadows less marked.
The support box has a conventional shoe to secure the flash on the box, can then adjust the height of the box with respect to the flash head.
Important thing the box is mounted on a tripod in studio effect thread pitch for a conventional tripod, if you want to mount your camera tripod it will be essential to find an adapter.
Once the flash is installed it looks like this:
Triggering flash:
To trigger remote flash there are a lot of solutions which all have advantages and disadvantages, everything is to know your needs (cables, no son, conservation automation, ect ...) and your budget to determine that the solution will be able to satisfy you.
The wireless system with nikon:
If you have a case with a Nikon flash driver or flash drive to the other flash (eg SB800) and a recent flash (SB600, 800, 900) you can initially do without accessories.
If you have a "pro" box it does not have built-in flash, it will turn to be a controller type SU800 or flash to the flash drive other
- Advantages: Nothing to buy, it works pretty well in the best of circumstances, we work in "remote control" the metering is preserved
- Disadvantage: The limp and the flash must "see" (information is sent IR), the pre-flash (used for measuring flash light) can be annoying, the system works poorly in daylight.
The trigger cell Hama
A small accessory € 15 which is fixed on the flash shoe and fires based on a flash
- Advantages: It works with any flash any case capable of emitting a flash (so even a compact ...), the price!
- Disadvantage: It really works with a flash, the cell must perceive the flash (full sun is barely lost) if you're not the only one to flash it quickly becomes tedious. The metering is manual.
The sync cable:
A non-proprietary cable does not cost a lot of money on ebay, the case and the flash must have an outlet, note that there are also cables that connect to the flash shoe.
- Advantages: Cheap, the flash is provided.
- Cons: Cable length, loss of automation in most cases.
The wireless system from other manufacturers:
Pocket Wizard is the Rolls in terms of robustness, its scope is huge, working on several channels. PW currently dominates this market.
Note that the challenger " Radiopopper "said store automation of each brand, we should take advantage of in PW (and cheaper!) coupled to automation-specific brand systems to follow a very promising product!
There are also radio cells available on ebay at very attractive prices but returns in terms of reliability are quite negative.
- Advantages: Robust, lightning is provided, the range is huge.
- Cons: Very expensive! and does not preserve the automatic (except in Radiopopper)
Conclusion:
There is no system to date perfect (I'm waiting to test Radiopoppers), each system has its advantages and disadvantages, so you have to choose a solution based on the type of photos to achieve eg:
For the indoor sports: Pocket Wizard to the scope, strength, the ability to use multiple channels. If a basketball game is covered and that we see the flash sitting on the sidelines is not enough power it will take to run the flash to set. (Good in practice for this kind of coverage is rather working with large flash attached to the stands, but basically you get the idea).
Posed for the portrait indoors: The system of multiflash in nikon can do remote flash settings directly on the main flash. ect ...
The ultimate would be a radio trigger with several channels that retains the ability to make adjustments directly on the master flash is what provides Radiopopper, so I can not wait to try these new accessories.
In practice
I had the opportunity to test these boxes during a wedding to cover the evening, outside of traditional photos captured moments I have proposed to set up a mini studio to make more eccentric more festive images, to close the album.
Those present have played the game beyond my expectations, I worked with the same kind of angle and the same exposure that has allowed me to focus my attention on the direction of the people present in the image.
Here are some pictures of this mini studio improvised late night.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:59
It is great!
I just bought the Kaiser H halogen kit, 2 x 1000w with dimmers, two bowl and 2 softbox, 700th TTC ... Excellent, but it heats the food and it can be annoying ...
These boxes flash will do the trick for travel ...
In addition I have the feet of kit. Thank you for the plan!
The downside, in addition to holding on the remote cells, it does not work with pre-flash, so incompatible with a wireless system. No complementarity. In addition, some boxes do not disengage the pre-flash without the flash, so the built-in flash can take part in the scene so disturbing even if we can reduce it.
October 10th, 2008 at 9:19
Question stupid but ... Where did you put your boxes on the first photo?
October 10th, 2008 at 9:41
Thank you for the review Ben, I've just to buy one and it is very convenient.
2 small remarks against by:
Regarding use with SB-900 flash support is too thick, I had to grind to be able to insert the SB-900!
For those who do not have to light up, I bought a spigot manfrotto like this one ( http://www.teamworkphoto.com/images/manfrotto/119.jpg ) that can screw together on a tether Quick example, or directly on a conventional foot (two different threads). A little more than 3 € to save buying a tripod
People of marriage lachés are apparently very nice result
October 11th, 2008 at 9:17
The principle of radiopoppers looks interesting indeed ... I just wanted to contribute by saying that SkyPort Elinchrom system works very well and cost a little less than PocketWizard. This is the one I usually use, and it works very well!
October 11th, 2008 at 11:06
Hehe, I wonder / ais the same question!
October 11th, 2008 at 11:52
I recently purchase the trigger solution without son "Ebay", I must say that for the price it's pretty good, far from the PW is on, but it really helps out honorably.
the only downside is for high speed trips (greater than 1/200) is very random, but it sounds not necessarily sync.
That said, it is great fun this series. hat the artist!
October 11th, 2008 at 1:24
Ju: I'm not very fan of continuous lighting, ca consumes max, it is not as powerful as the flash heater and AC too
The pre-flash from Nikon is switched off (just change it to manual and lower its power to prevent it écaire the scene. For other brands I can not speak
Betrand: In my hand
long pause and I was illuminate the car and other items using the flash test button.
The purpose of the image is rather to indicate the place.
Cedric Raket: Yep, I've heard a lot of good also for a lower price to PW
jean: jean thank you for your return
October 11th, 2008 at 1:41
Beautiful gym that Ben
October 11th, 2008 at 9:30
You lit the car with a blue gelatin or is it just the high temperature difference between the color tone and flash bulbs which gives the contrast with this impression?
October 12th, 2008 at 7:23
Thank you for the info!
@ Plouche.
October 12th, 2008 at 4:40
Super Ben
On pre lightning is actually very annoying for the model, but Mr Nikon spoiled us with storing expo parammétrable the function of the D3 key (maybe even on the D300?) And a pressure sufficient to no longer bothering anyone and shoot like crazy.
A +
Fred
October 12th, 2008 at 7:26
Thank you for your information on the box and trigger flash!
In any case I would like to emphasize the photos that are unusual, beautiful and full of energy!
October 12th, 2008 at 7:31
Bertrand: Thank you
Dati: It's just the temperature that differs
delphine: with pleasure!
Fred: Yep, very true!
Shooter: thank you
October 13th, 2008 at 4:32
Uh, I would not go for the service but obsessed on the 8th picture in the series, the girl will not be very happy to note that we see her white panties on the picture!
Otherwise, a nice series and thank you Mr. Canon, do not always allow for the management of remote flashes from the housing!
October 13th, 2008 at 6:58
Great article takes me hesitation on the trade-offs for a mini-cobra-studio (© me
), It's really generous of you to share it all with us.
See ya
October 14th, 2008 at 24:03
Cool! Good idea the studio session.
Personally, I received mine a week ago, and I found it quite small.
So I then ordered a Westcott 70cm 127cm and another! (The lighting is by reflection on a silver background for the coverage). Strongly that my model is fit for a session.
If not for your readers equiped barrel must forget the trigger ebay (limitation of sync x), I opted for the pw and no ttl poses no problems.
October 14th, 2008 at 10:42
Thank you Ben.
I am also looking for a system of this kind, but cheap, I watch the output as you try to find a viable alternative
Bye
October 14th, 2008 at 3:42
lomoseb> Why do you say that ebay triggers would not work? Following my recent changes, I had found 97% reliable outside ... and since I got the st-e2 so I have not worked with.
Very nice studio with this couch, it's very good!
October 16th, 2008 at 10:35
@ Electronik: Well I tried both versions of the trigger V1 and V2s. The first walked very well with the K10D. Passing Canon: The V1 worked about (flash nuisance) and V2s well except that limited sync to 1/160 (instead of 1/200). In fact these povertywizards vary the transfer information with the channel. More on the 5D I had a frame of banding up pictures (randomly). So yes the pw are a bit expensive (110 € / piece) but for 100 € more I find a flash equivalent to three 540ex, remains only to calculate
and finding a real interest in TTL.
October 20th, 2008 at 1:51
[...] Valerie and Laurent have contacted me to cover her wedding on October 18 on the advice of Gabriel that I covered the wedding in June. [...]
October 28th, 2008 at 9:17
In the end and in practice, with what you bump for time to order your flash?
See u
November 20th, 2008 at 2:01
I love it!! Simply ... To hear you, there is no need to stress i was not in to buy the latest cry in light box but a little layer and crafts and the case is made ...
THANK YOU THANK YOU ...
November 25th, 2008 at 12:13
[...] You can also see the site of Benjamin Brolet a field test of a solution [...]
November 25th, 2008 at 8:57
Hello,
Again a nice small sceance
It would be interesting to see a picture without editing to get an idea of what this system in the stomach ... I was just thinking to turn to this style of solution (my studio gear is heavy and bulky)
I thought the kit that Lastolite esybox been doing this for a little while. I do not know if you've had the opportunity to test the Lastolite? I would be interested to know the differences between the two, as the resemblance seems obvious
Have a nice evening
David
November 25th, 2008 at 8:58
Oh, I forgot ... You tested on small objects or a base? It would also be interesting
November 26th, 2008 at 7:55
letmeshoot: There is not, strictly speaking, to retouch the images, simply add a contrast in Capture One, I do not see edit all the images of a marriage by a
.
For Lastolite it's just the sticker on the box that is different
This should also be a lot of packshot!
November 27th, 2008 at 3:10
Update of my message, I found the answer in your articles ...
Otherwise ... Benjamiinnnnnn!! So?
Articles are where?!
We faiiiiimmmm!!
November 27th, 2008 at 11:42
Thank you Benjamin
It is good to know that, because it's pretty Lastolite exorbitant price level (a few hundred euro 2 kits)
But I think a solution style Photoflex for more autonomy - long hesitation in perspective.
In any case I love the small wedding session in the chair, really nice and original.
it must be nice to participate! Congratulations!
They had a lot of fun guests
November 27th, 2008 at 2:11
We're hungry!
November 28th, 2008 at 3:18
Hi Ben ... first time I leave a message here ...
Even if I go regularly ... 
I think everything has been said about your photos ... always very clean shots ... What good work! and more you seem to make you happy! (Even if it is not easy) it makes me really want to take photos when I look at your tofs ... 
All that to say ... the penultimate (the 9), gives me great thought a photo of Salvador Dali taken by Philippe Halsman in 1948 ... "Salvador Dali With Flying Cats" Here if you want to see what it looks like ...
Anyway, Nice job, good luck ...
December 8th, 2008 at 11:55
[...] For me to test a light box (for a test, read the excellent article on Benjamin [...]
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:22
[...] Extra photographer who took pictures funny for [...]
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:28
[...] Cobra maintaining tripods studio with small boxes in light LumiQuest (read the article on the subject), the weight and size is already significantly reduce it, but not enough to [.. .]
February 8th, 2009 at 1:07
Hello,
It is very nice to give us this great tip from nomadic studio!
But I have a small clarification to ask you: how you use flash? A SB 800? Finally two SB 800! Because I think you're equipped with Nikon. And as one of the comments pointed out that SB 900 is a bit big for the system, I wonder if the SB 800, it works or not!
For installation support, you added what exactly? Support with head and an adapter for flashgun? Or something else?
Thank you for your answers. I'm a little flash dropped gear side ... I work exclusively with natural light ... So I put the flash, it makes me tournic!
And congratulations to the clichés, it's great fun!
February 8th, 2009 at 12:10
Hello Cecilia
For now I use a SB600 and SB800, if you use a system other than to trigger Nikon (IR cell, pocket wizard, Skyport ..) regardless of the brand of your flash. The SB900 is a great flash also for this type of configuration, it offers more power but also shorter refresher.
Support comes with the box, so no need other accessories outside tripod and boxes
February 8th, 2009 at 7:01
Thank you Ben!
I think I turn to a SB 800 because of the price and also its size (SB 900 seems too big in the words of Jonathan that the filing flash support). As for the remote trigger, I will follow your advice and take the Nikon. It comes with the purchase of the flash or should it be ordered separately?
Thank you again for the info that I have a great support.
Do you have a website to see more of your work?
February 8th, 2009 at 7:30
Cecilia: The purchase of SU-800 is only necessary if your case does not control remote flash to check depending on your hardware. And it is indeed an accessory sold apart (about 250 euros).
Otherwise I do not have web than the one you are standing on the other site.
February 8th, 2009 at 11:57
OK, thank you for that clarification ... size!
I'll see with my D 300 and D 200 my, what they offer me.
Thank you again for everything and I hope one day you too can make a good service by giving you good advice!
Ia Orana and soon, perhaps, on the web!
March 12th, 2009 at 6:04
Hi Benjamin,
You are certainly aware ..
But I just saw on the net that the new Pocket Wizard would come out and he managed TTL o)
http://www.cyrilbruneau.com/blog/2009/02/nouveaux-pocketwizard-minitt1-et.html
@ +
Olivier
April 20th, 2009 at 10:10
Hello Benjamin,
Just a little info: There is a Nikon not too bad and cheap solution (15 € delivered) for boxes with a built-in flash = This is the accessory SG-3 IR
This blocks the flash of the box, but not IR. So it is possible to "control" another slave flash without "crashing" the light on the subject.
I do not know against what it would do with the system light box you present (the slave flash it receives the IR built-in flash?)
There ... Hoping to bring qquechose ...
July 25th, 2009 at 6:29
Hi Benjamin,
Is it possible to find accessories for Cobra Flash store in Brussels?
Genres Boxes has lights, honeycomb etc ...
thank you
October 1st, 2009 at 12:53
A solution for very small effective budgets
I ordered my kit received in 8 days! everything was perfect!
http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=17028&cat=298&page=3
an effective solution for cheap and super flash
a short course in Paris to learn how to master them if necessary!
http://www.jrphotographie.com/stage-photo-a-paris.php
A +
David
October 16th, 2009 at 1:05
[...] 430 EX II and Alien Bees B400 super efficient. To disseminate a little Magic Square Softbox (advised by B. Brolet) and Large Signed Paul Buff. Left: Alien Bees B400 Flash + box Lumere Paul Buff [...]
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:01
Very nice this test these small light boxes! I bought the same and have published my review with photos here: http://www.chassimages.com/forum/index.php/topic, 67764.0.html
A soon!
December 11th, 2009 at 8:50
Little further info on this old topic. I just bought 2 VIVITAR 285HV flash and I highly recommend this type of configuration. They are listening very cheap (about 60 € each), are given for a number of large guide (120 head) and are easily adjustable. I triggered via pocket wizard and I admit that it is an extremely reliable.
January 7th, 2010 at 10:58
Hello everyone,
Posédant a set PW TT1 and TT5, I wondered if the receiver Flex TT5 + falsh Cobra did not pose an installation concern at the mounting of the softbox?
January 11th, 2010 at 24:34
Greg78: this is not a problem, you can adjust the height of the boxes depending on your flash mount, there are also double claws that allow you to install a flash with the PW side
April 30th, 2011 at 2:05
Very interesting article that a friend sent me. I am thinking of buying a portable system like the one you present.