Lighting question / recommendation

[dkmoore]

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Hi all,

Quarantining has me thinking about learning how to use studio lighting for portraits indoors mostly. 
 

I’m looking for advice specific to Leica M10 variants. 

1. should I start off with 1-2 strobes?

or, 

2. Should I buy two of the SF 60 flash units and wireless remote and put those on stands?

3. some other option?

i don’t like the idea of direct and on camera flash as I don’t often like the look. 
 

I can find a lot of this info via google but not specific to using M cameras which I know aren’t the greatest as far as flash implementation. At lease that was the case when I tried the SF 58 years ago and didn’t like that experience. 
 

thanks in advance. 

Edited May 24, 2020 by dkmoore

[mdemeyer]

I use Bowen monolights with their wireless trigger, all manual exposure so I only need the flash to fire (no attempt at TTL).

[TomB_tx]

I prefer LED floods to flash so I can better evaluate “live” and adjust.

[dkmoore]

9 hours ago, mdemeyer said:

I use Bowen monolights with their wireless trigger, all manual exposure so I only need the flash to fire (no attempt at TTL).

So you put the flash on the camera and when it triggers, it fires the Bowen moonlights?

If that’s correct, how many monolights are you using? 

[dkmoore]

4 hours ago, TomB_tx said:

I prefer LED floods to flash so I can better evaluate “live” and adjust.

Is this just a constant LED light source, like they use for video? 
 

What brand are you using? I’m assuming they are wireless?

[TomB_tx]

Yes, these are constant floods as for video, so no need to trigger from the camera.

[mdemeyer]

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Bowen has a built-in radio receiver in the monolights and a wireless transmitter that mounts in the hot shoe of the M10 to signal them to fire.  Very convenient and works well. They will also IR trigger from another flash, but I normally use the radios. 
 

I have 4  x 500 WS units (I think they are) but adjust the number according to need, often 2 or 3.  Power levels are all adjustable and have a range of modifiers. 
 

We also have 3 LED video lights for my wife’s work which accept the Bowens mount modifies.  She is streaming all her food and wine lectures during Covid19 SIP so they are occupying the kitchen at the moment. 😉

1 hour ago, dkmoore said:

So you put the flash on the camera and when it triggers, it fires the Bowen moonlights?

If that’s correct, how many monolights are you using? 

 

[PCPix]

Keep it simple - start with one light off camera, through a translucent umbrella (have you got a strobe from another system?) and a reflector.

I've found the cheap end cheerful radio triggers really good. They claim to be TTL with my Canons, however I only ever set the strobes on manual, so the TTL is irrelevant to me - and this of course works well on the M10.

I have a full set of Elinchroms (3x500's and 1x1500) from the film era, but to be honest they are rarely used now unless I really need the power.

For home portraits I'd suggest you get a set of the radio triggers (get a transmitter and a couple of receivers - for future expansion!), a strobe holder 'knuckle', a stand and translucent (shoot-through) umbrella you'll be good to go. You can add more lights later as the system allows unlimited number of receivers.

Pros: Very cost effective, lightweight, quick to set up, all off ebay/amazon/7DayShop. Cons: a bit flimsy.

Obviously you can go upward from this in terms of cost, complexity, size/weight etc. I've done some pretty big lighting set ups over the years however there is really do a lot you can achieve with a single off camera light and this now is my preferred way of working.

Sample pic of one of my kids after a product shoot on my hi-tech coffee table;-) Not my finest work, but is done with one strobe/umbrella - light almost directly overhead and white card to bounce light back into the eyes.

Other pics - the 'stuff'

 

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[Good To Be Retired]

On 5/24/2020 at 6:23 PM, dkmoore said:

Hi all,

Quarantining has me thinking about learning how to use studio lighting for portraits indoors mostly. 

Take a look at this website https://digital-photography-school.com/6-portrait-lighting-patterns-every-photographer-should-know/. It has a pretty good basic introduction to what you would like to know.

I’m looking for advice specific to Leica M10 variants. 

Think generic.  If you are getting into specific solutions you are also running the price up.  That's not good until you are certain you will maintain interest.

1. should I start off with 1-2 strobes?

Lighting is one of those deals where there are a lot of competing opinions.  This happens to be mine, but if somebody cares to disagree that's to be expected.  The jury is still out on whether I have 55 years of experience or 1 year of experience 55 times 

I suggest you start out with continuous lighting, because it's dirt cheap.  It's cheap enough to be a throwaway if it's not what you are interested in doing.  Photofloods and reflectors will cost you less than the light stands.  Chinese kits abound on eBay for cheap.  You also have to have modifiers unless you like hard light.  Umbrellas are good starting out because they are easier to use and more forgiving.  And cheap.  And less of a PITA to set up and take down.

Many, many times you will see posts from people just starting out in studio lighting wanting to upgrade because they didn't want to continue with their initial gear.  Starting dirt cheap gives you a step up if you wish to continue.

Buy a set, but start learning with only one light, progressing to more as you get a feel for what's happening.

or, 

2. Should I buy two of the SF 60 flash units and wireless remote and put those on stands?

Not unless you know that's what you want to be stuck with.  This is an expensive learning solution.

 

I can find a lot of this info via google but not specific to using M cameras which I know aren’t the greatest as far as flash implementation. At lease that was the case when I tried the SF 58 years ago and didn’t like that experience. 
 

If you're going to use strobes, you're going to want to use a wireless trigger.  I prefer the RF triggers, but IR are the preference of many.  Some all you're looking for is a dumb trigger, no TTL, remote adjustments, or other bells and whistles pretty much any cheap Chinese trigger will work, along with pretty much any cheap Chinese light.

Buy used lighting equipment off eBay.  You don't need new current generation techology for learning.

If it's something you decide you would like to continue with, I suggest you at least investigate Godox and the relabeled units sold under Adorama's Flashpoint brand.  You can't get them serviced with any facility, but they work well and are at the low price end and high quality.  Don't cheap out on light stands.  Investigate what are labeled C - Stands.

 

Edited May 25, 2020 by Good To Be Retired