Cheap Lighting for Nikon D80 Photographer?
I'd love to own a nice new flashgun that's hundreds and hundreds of pounds, but truth is I never will. Therefore I'm looking for budget flash guns with good reviews or possibly some ideas for cheap studio equipment.
I'm mainly a portrait/fashion photographer.
Any help please?
Here, this should help:
http://makingitasapro.blogspot.com/2012/07/under-200-speedlight-roundup.html
Check out the Nikon SB-700.It's a nice little unit for not terribly much money. Add a bounce card and you can get good results. Learn how to use "Commander Mode" (see page 96 of your owners manual) and you can get very good results with off-camera flash.
Check out the Yungnuo YN-565.It has TTL metering and everything and is around 150$Can if I remember correctly.
You can start with something like this:
http://www.adorama.com/...D926N.html
Or are you talking about studio lighting? If so, check out some DIY sites.
Finally, you can always shoot in the daylight with just a few reflectors for fill light.
The advantage of the more expensive flashguns is they are compatible with AWL, which is handy if you need to pack up and go somewhere. There are limitations to AWL, so it doesn't 100% replace the need for radio triggers, however it adds an extra dimension. On a budget, a couple of second hand Metz 48AF1 (Nikon) should be under £150 each, and these are fully compatible with AWL/CLS.
Going down in budget, you can go wireless with radio triggers and non-TTL flashes for as little as £100, for two lights, and triggers, and even some light mods. Yongnuos YN-460/560 and RF-602 products would be your bottom line, but be aware that the build quality is far less than that of the German made Metz or the Nikon SB600/700.
If you are comfortable (or willing to learn) regarding manual flash, then go for a model like the Yongnuo YN560 (full manual flash) - it has about the same spec power/zoom wise as the Nikon SB800 speedlight. Fully manual, so you have to adjust power output yourself. Costs around £50.
If you want TTL (auto) flash then the Yongnuo YN565 would be a good choice. Bit pricier at around £70 (I think).
I'd pair either of those with some RF602 or RF603 radio triggers - great range & reliability to get the flash off camera. A set of RF602's is about £20, RF603's a little dearer.
I do a fair bit of fashion/portrait work too & have found the Yongnuo's to be as reliable as my Nikon speedlights.