Looking for a flash bracket? Take a word from Derek in the video below.
› posts tagged ‘rps studio’
Did We Mention We’re Having an Expo?
Spring Expo 2009
So, I somehow miraculously keep not mentioning this, but the 24th and 25th this month at or two Indianapolis (area) stores is our annual Spring Expo. We’re going to have most anybody who’s anybody (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Mamiya, Leica, Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, Profoto, Induro, PocketWizard, FJ Westcott, RPS Studio, Manfrotto, Gitzo, Lastolite, and on and on and on…) out in our store, showing you the merch. If you’re within traveling distance, it’s really a good time to swing by and give us a visit, because there’re just too many toys to play with. It’s one of the two times a year I get to try one of the f2 constant zooms for my E-3, for instance. (Although, dyed-in-the-wool Oly shooter I am, I think I’ll step down and play some with the A900 and some Zeiss lenses and with Nikon’s under-rated D700, both of which are systems I’d have in a giant rolling case if my pay-grade allowed for it.)
I’m sure specials will abound as well, and for those of you who unfortunately can’t come out and see us I’ll be mirroring as much of them as humanly possible on our website as well, so remember to swing by the site that weekend and check on that equipment you’ve been scrounging for (and maybe some you didn’t know you needed, occupational hazzard).
Studio Lighting on a Budget
So, I’ve been busy the past few days moving product on our site into new, more visible categories (for your convenience), so I’m sorry I haven’t had time to finish the bokeh series yet, but I really want to have some nice reference shots to go with it. I’ll try and have that ready for you before the end of the week.
So, let’s talk a moment about a subject I’ve been reading up on lately: professional studio lighting. Now, as most of the world is aware, the US is currently having some jitters when it comes to the economy, and as most photographers know, studio lighting can be a very money-intensive thing. Can be. But, that’s not always true.
First off, I’m seeing more and more studio-style lighting done with small flashes. That is to say, people are using their Canon flashes or Nikon flashes more and more. Flashes like the SB-900 or Olympus’ FL-50r now have wireless master controls built in, and with everything from bounce reflectors to small softboxes now available for these type of units, what used to be on-camera flash systems are finding their way off and opening up worlds of flexibility and portability in lighting.
And that’s all very cool. But, what if you’re like, just starting out on your equipment acquisition and you want to, say, shoot white seamless product and fashion shots (hey, I’m a designer, we’re all commercial at heart, baby)? For that you need at least three light sources, and SB-800s, SB-900s, FL-50rs, and 580EX IIs will add up in those quantities. So, how about three monolights with stands and umbrellas for less than any of those flashes? Well, then, take a look to your right at the RPS Studio RS-SB/SLK3. Three 160ws monolights (more than enough power for small studios and garage studios) with stepless output down to 1/8 power, two white umbrellas (you can shoot through them like softboxes for more diffuse light), a nice silver umbrella (I did say fashion earlier, afterall), and hey, it’s got IR triggers, so you can still work wirelessly. I’m budgeting one of these kits for myself, because it’s the perfect way for the newcomer to professional studio lighting to get their feet wet without making their wallet dry. And that’s pretty A-OK in my book.
Switch To Mobile Site