Test the light box Tristar, solutions for triggering flash cobra
October 10th, 2008
When we try to have a portable solution, slight, self-contained artificial lighting minimal worked example as part of a portrait, flash cobra self-evident.
This helps to walk around with a mini mobile studio in his camera bag, the goal is obviously not replace a real studio but a solution for specific needs, the benefits are many:
- It is relatively inexpensive (there are flashes of great opportunity for cobra 50 euros)
- It is very "portable"; small, lightweight and above all independent
Of course there are disadvantages:
- Compared with studio flash is not playing in the same league in terms of power and recycle time (time needed to "recharge" between two shots)
- Accessories are less developed (softbox, honeycomb, snoot, etc. ...)
And there are solutions to mitigate these disadvantages:
- To reduce the time of recycling: It invests in quality batteries (GP 2700 for example), there are adapters for some flash, you can also mount in sensitivity, approaching the light source of his subject, etc. ..
- In terms of accessories, professionals are currently developing various accessories (snoot, ringflash adapter) but nothing stops you from yours! Need a snoot placed three quarters to bring out your model's hair? We cut the leaves of a box of spaghetti and one threads on the head of your flash! site Strobist and Diyphotography are true references in terms of crafts and ideas.
Some manufacturers have realized the need for portability of a class of professionals and began to develop products specifically for photographers "nomads".
I will discuss in this article an accessory which I think is very useful as part of a portrait: the small light box from home Tristar (There are other brands making this type of product)
So I ordered two boxes of light at the site of Tristar Missnumérique , they are sold 55 euros each.
Everything is delivered in pizza boxes that have visibly suffered during transport.
It mounts as a standard light box, then we just scratch the veil spreading to the front of the box.
The advantage of this type of diffuser is to increase the area of lightning and generate a softer light with shadows less marked.
The support of the box has a shoe to attach the conventional flash on the box, which can then adjust the height of the box relative to the flash head.
Importantly the box is mounted on a tripod studio indeed thread pitch for a classic tripod, if you want to mount it on your tripod it will be essential to get an adapter.
Once installed the flash it looks like this:
Triggering flash:
To trigger remote flash there are a whole bunch of solutions that all have advantages and disadvantages, the key is to know your needs (cables, no son, conservation of automation, ect ...) and your budget to determine that the solution will be able to satisfy you.
The wireless system with nikon:
If you own a Nikon with a flash or flash driver allowing the control of other flash (eg SB800) and a recent flash (SB600, 800, 900) you can initially do without accessories.
If you have a case "pro" it has no flash, it will turn to either a controller or a type SU800 flash allowing the control of other flash
- Advantages: Nothing to buy, it works pretty well under optimal circumstances, we work in "remote control" the exposure is kept
- Disadvantage: The lame and the flash must "see" (the information is sent in IR), the pre-flash (which is used for measuring flash light) can be annoying, the system works poorly in daylight.
The trigger cell Hama:
A small accessory 15 euros which is fixed to the shoe and the flash that is triggered based on a flash
- Advantages: It works with any flash and any case capable of emitting a flash (so even a compact ...), the price!
- Disadvantage: It really works with a flash, the cell must therefore collect the lightning (direct sunlight it is a waste) if you are not alone in making flash quickly becomes tedious. The metering is manual.
The sync cable:
A non-proprietary cable does not cost very expensive on ebay, the box and the flash must have an outlet, to 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 Royce in terms of robustness, its scope is enormous, we are working on several channels. PW currently dominates this market.
Note that the challenger " Radiopopper "said store automation for each brand, we should take advantage of in PW (and cheaper!) coupled with automated systems for each brand, a product promising to follow!
There are also radio cells available on ebay at very attractive rates, but the returns in terms of reliability are quite negative.
- Advantages: Robust, lightning is provided, the scope is enormous.
- Disadvantages: very expensive! and does not preserve the automatic (except in Radiopopper)
Conclusion:
There is currently no system is perfect (I'm waiting to test Radiopoppers), each system has its advantages and disadvantages, so choose a solution based on the type of pictures to produce, for example:
For the indoor sports: Pocket Wizard to the scope, robustness, ability to use multiple channels. If we cover a basketball game and we see that the flash set on the sidelines is not enough powerful to run it will be necessary to adjust the flash. (Good in practice for this type of coverage you work with rather large flash attached to the stands, but basically you get the idea).
Posed for the portrait indoors: The system of multiple flash in nikon allows for the remote flash settings directly on the main flash. ect ...
The ultimate would be a trip with several radio channels which retains the ability to make adjustments directly on the master flash, that's what Radiopopper proposes, therefore I can not wait to try these new accessories.
In practice
I had the opportunity to test these boxes at a wedding for the cover of the evening, outside the classic photos of moments captured, I offered up a mini studio to produce images more festive, more eccentric to close album.
Those present have played the game beyond my expectations, I worked with the same kind of angle and the same exposure that allowed me to focus my attention on the management of people in the picture.
Here are some pictures of this mini studio improvised late night.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:59
It is great!
I just bought the kit halogen Kaiser H, 2 x 1000w with dimmers, 2 bowl and 2 softbox, 700th TTC ... Excellent, but it's heating and for cooking it can be annoying ...
These boxes will flash to do the trick for travel ...
In addition I have the feet of the kit. Thank you for the plan!
The downside, besides the keep, in cells remote, it does not work with pre flashes, therefore, inconsistent with a wireless system. Not complementary. Also some boxes do not disengage the pre flash without the flash, so the flash can take part in the scene so disturbing even if we can decrease it.
October 10th, 2008 at 9:19
Stupid question but ... Where did you put your boxes on the first picture?
October 10th, 2008 at 9:41
Thank you for the review Ben, I've just buy one and it is very convenient.
Remarks by two small cons:
Regarding use with SB-900 flash support is too thick, I have the file to be able to insert the SB-900!
For those with no lighting up, I bought a manfrotto spigot like this ( http://www.teamworkphoto.com/images/manfrotto/119.jpg ) that can screw together on a fastener quick example or directly on a conventional foot (2 different threads). A little more than 3 € to save buying a tripod
People of marriage are dropped apparently, very nice result
October 11th, 2008 at 9:17
The principle of radiopoppers looks interesting indeed ... I just wanted to help, saying that the system of SkyPort Elinchrom works great and cost a little cheaper than PocketWizard. This is the one I usually use, and it works very well!
October 11th, 2008 at 11:06
Hehe, I ask myself / ais the same question!
October 11th, 2008 at 11:52
I recently purchased the solution without triggering son "Ebay", I must say that the price is rather good, far from the PW is on, but it really helps out with honor.
the only downside being triggers for high speed (greater than 1/200) is very uncertain, it kicks but not necessarily synchronized.
That said, it is very fun series. hat the artist!
October 11th, 2008 at 1:24
Ju: I'm not very fan of the continuous, ca consumes a max, it's not as powerful as the flash heater and AC too
The pre-flash from nikon is deactivated (just switch it to manual and reduce its power to prevent it écaire the scene. For other brands I can not speak
Bertrand: In my hand
long pause and I was lighting the car and other items by using the test button flash.
The purpose of the picture is rather to indicate the place.
Cedric Raket: Yep, I've also heard many good things for a price below PW
jean: jean thank you for your return
October 11th, 2008 at 1:41
Beautiful gymnastics that Ben
October 11th, 2008 at 9:30
You have lit the car with a blue gelatin or is it just the large difference in color temperature between your light bulbs and flash with the contrast gives 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, it is indeed very annoying for the model, but Mr Nikon spoiled us with the AE lock button parammétrable function of the D3 (maybe even on the D300?) And a pressure sufficient to stop bothering anyone and shoot like crazy.
A +
Fred
October 12th, 2008 at 7:26
Thank you for your information on the box and triggering flash!
In any case I would insist on the pictures coming out of the ordinary, beautiful and full of energy!
October 12th, 2008 at 7:31
Bertrand: Thanks
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, nice series and thank you Mr. Canon, do not always allow the management of remote flashes from the camera!
October 13th, 2008 at 6:58
Nice article that takes away the hesitations of the tradeoffs for having a mini-cobra-studio (I ©
), It's really generous of you to share that with us.
See ya
October 14th, 2008 at 24:03
Cool! Good idea the studio session.
Personally, I got mine a week ago, and I found it quite small.
So I ordered a Westcott then from 70cm to 127cm and another! (The lighting is by reflection on a silver background to provide coverage). Strongly that my model is fit for a session.
If not for your readers equipped gun, forgetting about the ebay trigger (sync limitation of 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 like this, but cheap, I watch the output like you to try to find a viable alternative
Bye
October 14th, 2008 at 3:42
lomoseb> Why do you say that the ebay triggers would not work? Following my recent changes, I had found 97% reliable outside ... and since I received the st-e2 so I no longer worked.
Very nice studio with this sofa, it does it very well!
October 16th, 2008 at 10:35
@ Electronik: Well I tried two versions of the V1 and trigger the V2S. The first walked very well with the K10D. By the way Canon: The V1 worked about (inadvertent flash) and the V2S well except that it limited the sync at 1/160 (instead of 1/200). In fact these povertywizards vary the transfer of information with the channel. Also 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 an equivalent to three 540ex flash, remains only to do the math
and find a real interest in the TTL.
October 20th, 2008 at 1:51
[...] Valerie and Laurent contacted me to cover her wedding on October 18 on the advice of Gabriel which I had covered the wedding in June. [...]
October 28th, 2008 at 9:17
In the end, and in practice with what you bump for now to order your flash?
See u
November 20th, 2008 at 2:01
I love it! ... A Just to hear you, there is no need to stress i was not the money to buy the last cries 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 on the site of Benjamin BROLET a field test of a solution [...]
November 25th, 2008 at 8:57
Hello,
Again a very nice little scéance
It would be interesting to see an unretouched photograph to get an idea of what this system was in the belly ... I was just thinking to turn to this style of solution (studio my gear is heavy and bulky)
I thought the Lastolite kit esybox who do this for quite some time now. I do not know if you had the opportunity to test the Lastolite? I would be interested to know the differences between the two, as the resemblance seems to me obvious
Good evening
David
November 25th, 2008 at 8:58
Oh, I forgot ... You have tested on small objects or a plate? It would also be interesting
November 26th, 2008 at 7:55
letmeshoot: There is no such thing as a retouching images, merely adds to the contrast in Capture One, I can not see edit all the images of a marriage by a
.
Lastolite it's just for the sticker on the box that is different
This is also a lot of packshot!
November 27th, 2008 at 3:10
Update of my message, I found the answer in your articles ...
Otherwise ... Benjamiinnnnnn!! So what?!
Articles are everywhere!?!
We faiiiiimmmm!!
November 27th, 2008 at 11:42
Thank you Benjamin
It's good to know that, because it's pretty Lastolite exorbitant price level (a few hundred euro's 2 kits)
I still think a solution Photoflex style for more autonomy - long hesitation in perspective.
In any case I love the small sitting in the armchair marriage, really fun and original.
it must be fun to participate! Bravo!
They had a good time guests
November 27th, 2008 at 2:11
We're hungry!
November 28th, 2008 at 3:18
Hi Ben ... first time I left 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 in addition you seem to make you very happy! (Even if it is not easy) it makes me really want to do photography when I look at your tofs ... 
All that to say ... before the last (9), gives me great thought of a photo taken of Salvador Dali by Philippe Halsman in 1948 ... "Salvador Dali With Flying Cats" Here if you want to see how it looks ...
Anyway, Nice work, 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 for funny [...]
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:28
[...] Cobra keeping the studio work with small boxes in light of LumiQuest (read the article on the subject), the weight and bulk is already significantly reduce it, but still not enough to [.. .]
February 8th, 2009 at 1:07
Hello,
It's really nice to give us this super good plan mobile studio!
But I have a clarification to ask you: what you are using flash? A SB 800? Finally 2 SB 800! For I believe that you are equipped with Nikon. And as one reviewer noted that SB 900 is a bit big for the system, I wonder if with SB 800, it works or not!
For installation on the carrier, you have added what exactly? One holder with swivel adapter and a flash cobra? Or something else?
Thank you for your answers. I'm a bit beside dropped flash stuff ... I work exclusively in natural light ... So I put the flash, it gives me the tournic!
And bravo for the clichés, this is super nice!
February 8th, 2009 at 24:10
Hello Cecilia,
For now I use a SB600 and a SB800, if you use a system other than the Nikon to trigger (IR cell, Pocket Wizard, Skyport ..) no matter the brand of your flash. The SB900 is a great flash also for this type of configuration it offers more power but also shorter recycling time.
Support comes with the boxes, so no need other accessories outside tripod and boxes
February 8th, 2009 at 7:01
Ben thank you!
I think to turn to an SB 800 because of price and also its size (SB 900 seems too big in the words of Jonathan who has the file flash support). As for the remote release, I will follow your advice and take the Nikon. It comes with the purchase of flash or should it be ordered separately?
Thank you again for this info to me 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 allow remote flash control, to check depending on your hardware. And it is indeed an accessory sold apart (250 euros).
Otherwise I have no other website than the one where you are.
February 8th, 2009 at 11:57
OK, thank you for pointing this out ... size!
I'll do with my D 300 and D 200 my, what they offer me.
Thank you again for everything and I hope one day to make you as 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 to TTL o)
http://www.cyrilbruneau.com/blog/2009/02/nouveaux-pocketwizard-minitt1-et.html
@ +
Olive
April 20th, 2009 at 10:10
Hello Benjamin,
Just a little info: There is a solution at Nikon not too bad and cheap (15 € delivered) for enclosures with a built-in flash = This is the accessory SG-3-IR
This blocks the flash of the box, but not the IR. So it is possible to "steer" another flash in slave without "crashing" the light on the subject.
I do not know against what it would do with the system light box that you present (the slave flash it receives the IR flash?)
This is ... Hoping to make 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 24:53
A solution for the budget very effective
I ordered my kit received in 8 days! everything was perfect!
http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=17028&cat=298&page=3
solution for flash cheap and super effective
a small workshop in Paris to learn to master them if necessary!
http://www.jrphotographie.com/stage-photo-a-paris.php
A +
David
October 16th, 2009 at 1:05
[...] 430 EXII and the Alien Bees B400 super effective. For a small diffusion Magic Square Softbox (suggested by B. BROLET), and a Large signed Paul Buff. Left: Alien Bees B400 Flash Box + lumère Paul Buff [...]
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:01
Very nice this test of these small light boxes! I bought the same and published my review with photos here: http://www.chassimages.com/forum/index.php/topic, 67764.0.html
See you soon!
December 11th, 2009 at 8:50
Little additional info on this old topic. I just bought 2 VIVITAR 285HV flash and I highly recommend this type of configuration. They costing very cheap (about € 60 each), are given to guide a number of high (120 head) and are easily adjustable. I triggered via pocket wizard and I admit that this is an extreme reliability.
January 7th, 2010 at 10:58
Hi all,
Posédant a set PW TT1 and TT5, I wondered if the receiver Flex TT5 + falsh the Cobra did not pose a concern at the installation of the frame 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 to install a flash with his side PW
April 30th, 2011 at 2:05
Very interesting article a friend sent me. I am thinking of buying a mobile system like the one you present.