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Taking a lighting class, wondering about Fuji compatability

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syrcular

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Hi all,

Been shooting for years, but never really had formal training on lighting and flash, as I predominantly shoot natural light, so I'm thinking about taking the next step and attending a photography lighting class to understand on and off camera flash, strobes, and associated equipment.

My concern is that I'm going to be using my Fuji X-T1 and worried what's compatible and not compatible with the standard equipment, especially when I don't know what equipment is used in the class. If I were to bring a Nikon or Canon, I'm sure everything works with it, but should I be concerned about flashes, wireless remotes, strobes, TTL, etc working with my Fuji?
How interchange-able are hot shoe mount equipment for lights between brands? Will things that work with Canon and Nikon also work with my Fuji?

I'm also looking to get a flash for my camera, to start and wondering what recommendations people have for the Fuji X-T1 (and eventually X-T2, which I have on pre-order)?
 
I suggest you to bring your own triggers. If you don't have any, get simple generic chinese made, they'll do the job. A transmitter for yor camera and receiver(s) to plug into their flashes, whatever they have. But I don't think you'll have any problems with their studio lighting, I guess they already have triggers. The problem can arise only if they use dedicated Nikon or Canon flashes. Why don't you ask them?
 
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Of course there's Fuji's new flash coming out which I think would give you TTL.. That said, I use 2 lumopro LP180's with some cheap wireless 'cowboy trigger' receivers and transmitters and they work fine for what i need. You can also get a set of x2 receivers and x1 transmitter for around $25. The lumopro's are excellent manual flashes.

If you were doing pro work you'd probably want pocket wizards but for learning, the cowboys triggers work pretty darn well.

All said, I use both strobes and speedlights with my Fuji's without any problems whatsoever.

--
http://500px.com/jmczaja
 
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I can highly recommend the Cactus flashes and triggers. I have two RF60 flash units and a V6 (though the V6II is now out) and everything has worked quite well together for about the cost of a single Canon flash.

The big benefit of this system is that it uses RF signals instead of light transmission and that you can independently set the flash output from the V6 transmitter without walking over to the flashes themselves.

If the class is providing strobes, then you'll probably just use their Pocket Wizards, or other dumb triggers.

If you're looking for something with ETL metering, you'll probably want the new Fuji flash.
 
I'm talking out of the wrong end of my digestive system here... I rarely use flash... but.

It depends on whether you're going to be working with manual flash, and/or you're going to be working with TTL flash.

If you're going to be working with manual flash, you should be good to go. With manual flash, all that matters is being able to trigger the flash units at the appropriate time. Fujifilm uses the same trigger pin location in the hotshoe that the big guys do. Also, the X-T1 has the venerable (read: obsolescent) PC-Sync connector for a wired trigger connection.

Chances are good you'll be doing manual flash. There's not much point in "learning" TTL flash, until you get to the level of multiple flash groups and such. The point of TTL is it works automatically without you needing to fuss with it.

But if you do need TTL, then you might look into some of the third-party off-camera triggers. I think that some of them allow at least Nikon's iTTL to be used with a Fujifilm camera. Don't quote me on that.

For continuous lighting -- hot lamps and such -- it shouldn't matter what camera is used.

When you find a specific course of interest, drop the instructor a line with your questions. That's the most reliable source (as opposed to listening to what I say).
 
I am in agreement with the poster above. It's very likely the workshop you will be attending will be focusing on manual flash for control and consistency.
 
syrcular said:
Hi all,

Been shooting for years, but never really had formal training on lighting and flash, as I predominantly shoot natural light, so I'm thinking about taking the next step and attending a photography lighting class to understand on and off camera flash, strobes, and associated equipment.

My concern is that I'm going to be using my Fuji X-T1 and worried what's compatible and not compatible with the standard equipment, especially when I don't know what equipment is used in the class. If I were to bring a Nikon or Canon, I'm sure everything works with it, but should I be concerned about flashes, wireless remotes, strobes, TTL, etc working with my Fuji?
How interchange-able are hot shoe mount equipment for lights between brands? Will things that work with Canon and Nikon also work with my Fuji?

I'm also looking to get a flash for my camera, to start and wondering what recommendations people have for the Fuji X-T1 (and eventually X-T2, which I have on pre-order)?
Click to expand...
I would love a class that is able to explain how specific off camera TTL systems work in a predictable manor. That said, I'd imagine they will stick to manual mode with an external incidental light meter because is a known quantity and least common denominator for most all cameras.

--
reminder to self.
#1 "never explain never complain." -toomanycannons.
#2. keep posts limited to questions only and post of photos for C&C.
 
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I agree with just about everything Doug says. With any hope, any lighting class you take will focus on manual exposure because every camera with a standard hotshoe -- Fujifilm included -- has the same center pin for triggering a flash. I use my X-T1 with a Yongnuo transmitter and manual flashes that were designed for Nikon, and they work perfectly fine. There are also a lot of cameras with a PC sync port, such as the X-T1, Nikon's D810, or Canon's 5D series. (Doug should be pleased to know wired flash isn't entirely dead. It's just resting ;-) .) If a class veers into TTL, it might be, at best, to explain practical applications, but I wouldn't worry about it unless the entire class is based on TTL. It might be better to seek out a class that specifies studio lighting, which would eliminate your worries about what gear you bring to the table and spend more time on controlling light.

I'm using a Yongnuo YN560-TX with YN560-IV flashes, which is a set I had originally intended to use for learning but wound up relying on when I started doing paid work. The TX is about $40-50, and the flashes are $60-70. I purposefully bought them as a set because the YN560-IV has a built-in receiver for the YN560-TX, so I don't have to visit every flash when I want to dial up/down my exposure. The YN560 series is also ridiculously powerful and physically robust for the small amount of money you're putting down.

Also figure in a few dollars for basic light modifiers. I'm pretty sure the first tool you're going to learn to use is an umbrella. You can buy a basic shoot-through white umbrella with a removable black cover and a light stand for about $50 total.

Hope this helps!
 
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syrcular said:
Hi all,

Been shooting for years, but never really had formal training on lighting and flash, as I predominantly shoot natural light, so I'm thinking about taking the next step and attending a photography lighting class to understand on and off camera flash, strobes, and associated equipment.
Click to expand...
I would imagine that the lighting class would want to convey a basic understanding of light and therefore would probably teaching on monolights. Your lucky that your X-T1 has a PC socket so you would be able to plug the light right in to your camera. You're probably will start with one light setup working your way to a four light setup. It all depends on how long the class will go on.
syrcular said:
My concern is that I'm going to be using my Fuji X-T1 and worried what's compatible and not compatible with the standard equipment, especially when I don't know what equipment is used in the class. If I were to bring a Nikon or Canon, I'm sure everything works with it, but should I be concerned about flashes, wireless remotes, strobes, TTL, etc working with my Fuji?
Click to expand...
The syllabus should tell you what your will need and what you will be training on. I don't think they would be using speed lights because a speed light from one vendor is not compatible with another unless you use a radio trigger which I doubt the instructor will force your to use.
syrcular said:
How interchange-able are hot shoe mount equipment for lights between brands? Will things that work with Canon and Nikon also work with my Fuji?
Click to expand...
If your instructor is gong to teach you how to use Nikon flash systems, it won't work too well with your Fuji camera except in manual mode.
syrcular said:
I'm also looking to get a flash for my camera, to start and wondering what recommendations people have for the Fuji X-T1 (and eventually X-T2, which I have on pre-order)?
Click to expand...
I wouldn't worry about what kind of flash to get until you finish the class. You never know, your class might use incandescent or fluorescent lights instead of strobes. Fuji is probably the worst of the major brands for lighting. The top of the heap is Nikon CLS.

With my setup, I use Paul C Buff Einstein lights with Paul C Buff Cybersync equipment. I've never tried them on my Fuji cameras (because I use my D810 or Df in the studio) but I sure they will work. I have a Minolta Flash Meter to setup my flash units.

--
Cliff
 
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Manual flash yes, TTL no.
I put Nikon SB900 on the hot shoe on manual flash and it works fine. If you put the flash that came with the X-T1 on top of the camera, camera flash set to commander mode and the nikon flash set to remote slave; everything fires without the on camera flash effecting the exposure (unless your supper close to the subject). So no TTL but fuji clip on flash will act as an effective trigger to a Nikon sb900 in slave mode. I assume that to work with other Nikon slave equipped flashes too.

--
www.hangitstraight.com
www.hangitstraight.co.nz
 
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Cliff Fujii said:
With my setup, I use Paul C Buff Einstein lights with Paul C Buff Cybersync equipment. I've never tried them on my Fuji cameras (because I use my D810 or Df in the studio) but I sure they will work. I have a Minolta Flash Meter to setup my flash units.
Click to expand...
Cliff I use PCB equipment and it works with all my camera brands including Fuji. Right now, however, I'm fighting back the GAS to update my Alien Bees to the new DigiBees, in order to have digital control over all my studio lights like I have with Einstein.
 
syrcular said:
Hi all,

Been shooting for years, but never really had formal training on lighting and flash, as I predominantly shoot natural light, so I'm thinking about taking the next step and attending a photography lighting class to understand on and off camera flash, strobes, and associated equipment.

My concern is that I'm going to be using my Fuji X-T1 and worried what's compatible and not compatible with the standard equipment, especially when I don't know what equipment is used in the class. If I were to bring a Nikon or Canon, I'm sure everything works with it, but should I be concerned about flashes, wireless remotes, strobes, TTL, etc working with my Fuji?
How interchange-able are hot shoe mount equipment for lights between brands? Will things that work with Canon and Nikon also work with my Fuji?

I'm also looking to get a flash for my camera, to start and wondering what recommendations people have for the Fuji X-T1 (and eventually X-T2, which I have on pre-order)?
Click to expand...
Learn manual flash first. Hopefully this class will teach you the basics. Don't rely on TTL. The only time I use auto/TTL is if I'm shooting a run-and-gun fast and furious event, where I don't have time to putz around with manual settings. Then, I rely on my trusty Quantum Flash because its TTL works so well with Nikon, and the results are spectacular. Plus since it's a bare bulb unit, I need not worry about burning out a speedlight.
 
Clueless Wanderer said:
Manual flash yes, TTL no.
I put Nikon SB900 on the hot shoe on manual flash and it works fine. If you put the flash that came with the X-T1 on top of the camera, camera flash set to commander mode and the nikon flash set to remote slave; everything fires without the on camera flash effecting the exposure (unless your supper close to the subject). So no TTL but fuji clip on flash will act as an effective trigger to a Nikon sb900 in slave mode. I assume that to work with other Nikon slave equipped flashes too.
Click to expand...
 
historianx said:
Cliff Fujii said:
With my setup, I use Paul C Buff Einstein lights with Paul C Buff Cybersync equipment. I've never tried them on my Fuji cameras (because I use my D810 or Df in the studio) but I sure they will work. I have a Minolta Flash Meter to setup my flash units.
Click to expand...
Cliff I use PCB equipment and it works with all my camera brands including Fuji. Right now, however, I'm fighting back the GAS to update my Alien Bees to the new DigiBees, in order to have digital control over all my studio lights like I have with Einstein.
Click to expand...
 
Cliff Fujii said:
historianx said:
Cliff Fujii said:
With my setup, I use Paul C Buff Einstein lights with Paul C Buff Cybersync equipment. I've never tried them on my Fuji cameras (because I use my D810 or Df in the studio) but I sure they will work. I have a Minolta Flash Meter to setup my flash units.
Click to expand...
Cliff I use PCB equipment and it works with all my camera brands including Fuji. Right now, however, I'm fighting back the GAS to update my Alien Bees to the new DigiBees, in order to have digital control over all my studio lights like I have with Einstein.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
OP...as many have recommended, LumoPro180 for manual flash speedlites, Paul Buff Einsteins strobes are great for the money. PocketWizards are mandatory imo, but I haven't tried any of the newer options (Cactus, etc).

I would highly recommend Zack Arias' site for info on lighting gear with Fuji cameras (dedpxl.com) and David Hobby's strobist.com, which is a resource treasure on lighting. If you want to explore more of the TTL mindset, Joe McNally.
 
You won't have TTL but if you are taking a class you will be learning how to do it yourself and not relying on such automation.
 
Strobes:

Had no issues using expensive (Pocketwizard) or cheap (Cowboy Studios) wireless triggers with strobes in studio. Non TTL of course. Just set your shutter speed to 1/180 or lower to ensure sync.

TTL - You'd need one of the Nissan or Fuji TTL flash models here.

Portable - I've had great success using Elinchrom Quadra system with Skyport Wireless Trigger with my X-T1. This is my go to mobile set-up for location shooting.



2 head Quadra set-up - Fuji X-T1

2 head Quadra set-up - Fuji X-T1



Canon or Nikon speed lights - not designed dot work with your Fuji - avoid

Other third party systems (such as Cactus) get good reviews, if you want to stay small and not buy into full sized strobes.

--
Your time is limited, so don't waste it arguing about camera features - go out and capture memories
 
Thanks Chris for the great advice on gear! And to everyone else on this thread thank you for the advice. It sounds like as long as I avoid TTL at first, i should be ok, which it sounds like it's going to be. I've decided I'm going to start with an online class/tutorial, and then rent equipment, as I learn and grow. But my next purchase I'd like to get a on camera flash, that I can also trigger as an off camera flash (ie speedlights). Several pros, like Zack Arias, have recommended the Yongnuo YN560IV Speedlight. Do you concur?

Chris Dodkin said:
Strobes:

Had no issues using expensive (Pocketwizard) or cheap (Cowboy Studios) wireless triggers with strobes in studio. Non TTL of course. Just set your shutter speed to 1/180 or lower to ensure sync.

TTL - You'd need one of the Nissan or Fuji TTL flash models here.

Portable - I've had great success using Elinchrom Quadra system with Skyport Wireless Trigger with my X-T1. This is my go to mobile set-up for location shooting.

2 head Quadra set-up - Fuji X-T1

2 head Quadra set-up - Fuji X-T1

Canon or Nikon speed lights - not designed dot work with your Fuji - avoid

Other third party systems (such as Cactus) get good reviews, if you want to stay small and not buy into full sized strobes.

--
Your time is limited, so don't waste it arguing about camera features - go out and capture memories
Click to expand...
 
Chris Dodkin said:
Strobes:

Had no issues using expensive (Pocketwizard) or cheap (Cowboy Studios) wireless triggers with strobes in studio. Non TTL of course. Just set your shutter speed to 1/180 or lower to ensure sync.

TTL - You'd need one of the Nissan or Fuji TTL flash models here.

Portable - I've had great success using Elinchrom Quadra system with Skyport Wireless Trigger with my X-T1. This is my go to mobile set-up for location shooting.
Click to expand...
Big, yuuuge +1 for Elichrom Quadra rig, but use pocket wizards. Obviously great for location shoots, but fine in studio too. For the money, very nice quality of light, color consistency and reasonably short flash duration. Extra battery comes in handy. My bias, I much prefer strobes over speedlites.

I'm spoiled by studio work with highly specialized lighting gear and leaf shutter based systems. Syncing at shutter speeds of 800, even 1600. That said, I took a peak at the new DigiBees from Paul Buff and they would certainly get most portrait jobs done. Einstein still worth the extra $ imo. I shot a few fashion shoots with Einsteins and had some issues with modifiers falling off, even damaging one bulb. Maybe they have improved that since then.
 
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