Studio Flash Setup for A350
Posted on: Mon, 06/02/2008 - 10:57pm
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Studio Flash Setup for A350
I am a brand new owner of a Sony A350, replacing my KM 7D. I missed out on the deals at Best Buy, or I would have purchased the A700.
I want to setup an in-home studio for doing family portraits. I have already found DIY plans for the backdrop stand.
As for lighting, I want to go with flashes instead of continuous lighting. I understand that Alien Bees is the way to go, but my budget doesn't allow a full three light setup right away.
So what I have in mind is to purchase one studio flash unit (AB400) and two cheap flash slaves (Vivitars on eBay) to start. The AB400 would be my main light, and the two Vivitars would be fill and hair lights. Of course I need to purchase a flash meter too.
My AB400 would be connected to the A350 with a PC sync cord. The two Vivitars would fire as optical slaves when the AB400 lights up.
Of course, unlike the 7D and the A700, the A350 has no PC sync terminal. So I have purchased one of the Gadget Infinity hot shoe adapters that is a replacement for the old Minolta FS-1100.
My question for the forum: Does this proposed setup seem likely to work and give decent results? And what settings would I need to prepare on the A350? Obviously the camera needs to be in M mode. But what shutter speed? And what flash setting. If flash is off and the FS-1100 is mounted, will the PC socket still trip?
Also, I have heard that some set flash mode to fill and set the power level to 1/16th as a way to trip studio flashes optically without the PC connection. Does this seem viable?
Thanks to anyone who can help. I am an absolute neophyte at studio photography. My only prior experience was helping my dad when the lighting was 300 watt photofloods for his Nikkorex F back in 1962!
Please check out my previous post about the A350 in a studio environment. Might be useful to you.
http://www.alphamountworld.com/forums/sony-digital-slr-talk/alpha-live-v...
Patrick.
I had read your post about using live view in the studio. I came away with two thoughts:
(a) It must be possible for the A350 to trigger a studio flash, but the post doesn't say how, and
(b) Live view is useless for flash studio work since the image is so dark. But since I intend to compose with the OVF, it doesn't matter for me.
So how do you trigger your flashes with the A350? Did you buy that $180 adapter from Sony (FA-ST1AM) or use one of the FS-1100 clones?
Shot with an A100 and Interfit 600 w/s Stellar light that was set at about 1/2 power with kit reflector. On the camera I had a generic hot shoe adaptor I purchased off Ebay. I used the PC connection on strobe. Camera set on manual and flash set to fill without level adjustment. It is very important to set focus to manual as well. WB set to flash, ISO 100, SS 200 @ f/22. Lens is the kit lens at around 50mm. BG is piece of fabric from Walmart. Have fun.
A700 A100 Sony 75-300/4.5-5.6 Minolta 50/1.7 24-105/3.5-4.5D KM 28-75/2.8D
Here is another A100 and strobes. No PP.
A700 A100 Sony 75-300/4.5-5.6 Minolta 50/1.7 24-105/3.5-4.5D KM 28-75/2.8D
Thank you for sharing the results you achieved with your A100 and studio flash.
If I can get similar results I will be very pleased.
John
I use a FS-1100 clone from HK (costs a few dollars) and it works nicely. I use something along the lines of F/8 and 1/160th usually. And you must use WL flash. Don't think the expensive Sony adapter offers any other benefits, or does it?
It bothers me a lot I can't use live view with flashes. Something that could easily be fixed by Sony, but I won't hold my breath for it.
Patrick.
Do you really think you need to get that complicated - 3 lights, I mean?
I use one hvlf56am flash wirelessly with an umbrella box and a reflector with my A100. In a room with windows (not dark) I'd use something like F8, 1/125 secs ISO 200 with flash on half power.
I'm happy enough with the results but maybe I'm just easily satisfied :)
Would a HVL56AM portable flash with diffuser and reflector produce good studio results? I really don't know. Back in my dad's day, all real photogs had all these lights for fill, hair, background, etc.
But practically speaking, the 56 flash is a $400 item, or about the cost of two monolights. But of course you could use it in wireless mode with full ADI metering. So it could be something to consider. And since you used it at half power, maybe the 36 would be good enough (on sale at SonyStyle for $200)?
Do you have any examples of studio portraits done with the 56AM?
As you can see from my anonymous status, I'm not registered here so I can't post photographs.
You can see my pictures at www. pbase. com/janeb - the password is "chocolate". These may well prove that I am not what your Dad would consider to be a "proper" photographer :)
These pictures were all taken with one 56 flash in an umbrella box at about 45 degrees to the subject and pretty close (less than 3 feet I think). An important factor is a largish reflector on the opposite side and very close to the subject. I also usually have a window (with net curtain) on the opposite side to the flash. It might be better if the window was behind the camera but the room isn't that shape.
"Proper" studio photography probably wouldn't include window light so the photographer has total control of the light - but I'm just generally after cheerful pictures of toddlers so I'm not so fussy.
I started out with the 36 flash but you don't have manual control of the flash output. It can work, but the advantage of the 56 is I can set it up with the aperture I want and not have to worry about the flash deciding to change it's output if someone dressed all in white shows up straight after someone dressed all in black.
If wireless flash is actually more expensive then you might decide on other lights - you could try with one and a relector.
You can get a lot of info about portraits at www. ilovephotography .com but you do have to register there.
Your portraits done at the church look just fine! I am sure that all the parents are very happy with the images you produce.
But in my case, I don't need portability. So I think I will try a single studio flash and reflectors to start.
Thanks to all for your valuable advice.
Have fun!