Lighting kit addition

[aChanceEncounter]

I am enjoying doing portraits as a hobby.

I currently have 2 AD200's, 2 TT685, 2 TT350 speed lights. I like to use the two AD200's in the AD-B2 to get the modeling lights which leaves the tt685's for fill and rim. Obviously this means I uses the speed lights at 1/2 - 1/4 a lot of the time. The TT350 are for using with the Fuji bodies.

I have umbrellas and octoboxes (24", 36" and 48") and a couple strip softboxes.

I have a two sturdy 13' light stands and several light weight stands - no C-stands or booms.

I use the Westcott X-Drop Pro for my backdrops.

No urgent need for an upgrade but with Christmas coming my wife wants to get me something I will use.

To increase my available options, I am thinking of another AD200, a Parasnap 36"x44" softbox or a C-stand with a boom for overhead lighting.

Thoughts/ Suggestions?

 

[ronscuba]

I am enjoying doing portraits as a hobby.

I currently have 2 AD200's, 2 TT685, 2 TT350 speed lights. I like to use the two AD200's in the AD-B2 to get the modeling lights which leaves the tt685's for fill and rim. Obviously this means I uses the speed lights at 1/2 - 1/4 a lot of the time. The TT350 are for using with the Fuji bodies.

I have umbrellas and octoboxes (24", 36" and 48") and a couple strip softboxes.

I have a two sturdy 13' light stands and several light weight stands - no C-stands or booms.

I use the Westcott X-Drop Pro for my backdrops.

No urgent need for an upgrade but with Christmas coming my wife wants to get me something I will use.

To increase my available options, I am thinking of another AD200, a Parasnap 36"x44" softbox or a C-stand with a boom for overhead lighting.

Thoughts/ Suggestions?

Consider thinking about what kind of shots you would like to create, that you are not creating now. That might mean using what you have differently or adding something new to make the shot possible or easier.

You already have a decent variety of gear. Hard to suggest what to buy next without knowing the kind of photos you want to create.

--
https://www.ronchauphoto.com/
https://www.instagram.com/rchau.photo

 

[Klaus dk]

I am enjoying doing portraits as a hobby.

I currently have 2 AD200's, 2 TT685, 2 TT350 speed lights. I like to use the two AD200's in the AD-B2 to get the modeling lights which leaves the tt685's for fill and rim. Obviously this means I uses the speed lights at 1/2 - 1/4 a lot of the time. The TT350 are for using with the Fuji bodies.

I have umbrellas and octoboxes (24", 36" and 48") and a couple strip softboxes.

I have a two sturdy 13' light stands and several light weight stands - no C-stands or booms.

I use the Westcott X-Drop Pro for my backdrops.

No urgent need for an upgrade but with Christmas coming my wife wants to get me something I will use.

To increase my available options, I am thinking of another AD200, a Parasnap 36"x44" softbox or a C-stand with a boom for overhead lighting.

Thoughts/ Suggestions?

A few things I use:

AD300 Pro will free your B2 and two AD200 with its model light.

EC200 extension cable so you can operate the AD200 while it's head is mounted higher as for instance a hairlight.

BD 07 Barn door and gel kit for the AD200. It also contains a honeycomb grid.

A gel filter pack for lighting. Find the one that best suits your style. Mine is a Lee Master Location Pack.

White+silver 100x150cm and round 60cm collapsible reflectors, and brackets to mount them on light stands. Very useful to fill shadows etc.

 

[Joe Lynch]

A tethering setup. I used a Tether Tools orange cable, my notebook, and an external monitor this last weekend for a grand kid shoot, using a Lumix camera and Lumix Tether software. But place the monitor near the camera so the subject won't be looking right or left while you are trying to get their attention. A TV that has an external hdmi input may be good enough for this use. The kids loved seeing their photos show up after the flashes went off.

You might also need a computer stand or a some kind of support for the computer and the monitor.

Another idea--sandbags and pea gravel to fill them with.

One more idea--replace your old AD200 to Bowens mount adapters with the latest ones that have the smooth friction lock rather than the original serrated clicky versions.

Another--maybe the other size version of the Westcott backdrop. I have the 5'x7' and the frame is light and portable, but too flimsy in my opinion. The frame for the larger version looks to be much more substantial and sturdy. I've got two of the small ones and will replace them with something more rugged when they fail. I don't need anything larger really, just stronger. Dogs and kids will take one of mine out by New Years most likely.

Joe L

 

[tugwilson]

One more idea--replace your old AD200 to Bowens mount adapters with the latest ones that have the smooth friction lock rather than the original serrated clicky versions.


Joe L

I think you are suggesting the S2 bracket. This has just been superseded by the S3 bracket. One arrived here from China today. I'm very impressed by it! It's significantly smaller (it no longer has the rim ro mount the old Lastolite Ezybox style softbox) has a better brolly mount (central and with a screw rather than a spring to hold the shaft). I'd wait until this is in stock outside China.

 

[Joe Lynch]

I think you are suggesting the S2 bracket. This has just been superseded by the S3 bracket. One arrived here from China today. I'm very impressed by it! It's significantly smaller (it no longer has the rim ro mount the old Lastolite Ezybox style softbox) has a better brolly mount (central and with a screw rather than a spring to hold the shaft). I'd wait until this is in stock outside China.

Thanks for that! More refinement over the S2, so, yes, I'll go with the S3 next.
Joe L