Question:

I’ve read your Gear List and found the California Sunbounce item to be very interesting/useful. I’m pretty certain I will purchase it, but first I had a few questions. I noticed that you almost always use two SB-600s speedlites attached to it and you also always use it outdoors.

My questions are:
Do I need to use two speedlites? At the moment I only own one SB-600 and would prefer to not have to purchase another one any time soon. If I went on a 2 hour long shoot (with one to two clients) and brought backup batteries for my speedlite, would you say that is efficient? Also, is the canvas large enough to light full body shots?

Second question is, I know it’s called a “sunbounce” but can I use it indoors similar to an umbrella? It looks as though I can definitely try, but would you recommend it? I prefer to shoot in natural light outdoors as well, but everyone now and then I get requests from clients who wants a few indoor headshots.

I just threw a bunch of questions at you but I hope you can help answer as many of my questions as you can.
Any thoughts would help. Thank you!

Answer:

The sunbounce is a great reflector, especially outdoors… you will love how rigid it is. If you’ve tried, you’ll know that an umbrella outdoors is like a sail in the wind. With even the slightest breeze it can topple over and ruin your gear. That’s why a rigid reflector like the CA Sunbounce works so well.

With regards to your questions, you don’t have to use two speedlights. Actually, with two speedlights it gets quite heavy and tilts down the speedlight bracket a little bit. The main reason we use two is to 1) provide more power under daylight and 2) get faster recycle time and 3) we have them handy so why not.

Here is a little more explanation:

1. More power: When you shoot with a shallow depth of field outdoors (f/1.4 to f/2.8) your shutterspeed will be around 2000 to 4000. This puts the flash into HighSpeedSync mode which in reality is multiple pulses of lower powered light vs a typical one strong burst of light. So when you have two speedlights it provides you twice the amount of power (most of the time you may not need the power, but sometimes in harsh daylight it will come in handy).
2. Faster recyle time: With two speedlights you can cut the power needed by each light in half. So essentially, if you needed 1 light at full power… you can now use 2 lights at half power, which results in faster recycle time and longer lasting batteries for the session.

You will be fine with just one speedlight, but in certain situations you may find you want the faster recycle time or more power. Since we have multiple speedlights handy, we mount them on just in case.

Can the sunbounce light up full body shots? They come in different sizes. The one we have (Micro-mini) is 2′x3′ and lights half body shots well. You will notice a little fall-off below if you try to use it for a full body. The full sized (Mini) is 3′x4′ and will be able to light full body shots much more evenly.

Can you use the sunbounce indoors like an umbrella? Yes, certainly. Both work off the same bounced light principle. By bouncing your light off the sunbounce reflector or umbrella, you are increasing the size of the light from your speedlight. With larger light, you get softer shadows. The only difference you will see is that umbrellas give round catchlights, while your sunbounce will give rectangular catch lights in the eyes of your subjects.

Hope this clears things up in regards to the CA Sunbounce reflector vs an umbrella.

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What is FAQ Fridays?

FAQ Fridays is an ongoing weekly feature on this site where WE answer questions submitted by you. We hope this new segment will help with many of your photography challenges. As always, you can ask questions in the comments section if it relates to that certain post.

Here is a list of: all previous FAQ Fridays posts

If you have specific questions that do not relate directly… then feel free to submit your questions by using the FAQ Fridays Submission Form page.

Alternatively, you can email your questions to: faq -at- prettygeeky.com (note: email broken up to prevent spam bots).

The new Nikon 50mm f/1.8G lens also adds an aspherical lens element, which in plain english means better defense against bad stuff… not even the more expensive 50mm f/1.4G (which we have and use all the time) lens has this. Also, the new 1.8G is designed with curved aperture blades so when you stop down to say f/2.8 the bokeh will be more circular and less blocky.

Anyhow, since I don’t have this lens, I can’t do a direct comparison… but good thing someone else has already. Take a look at these photos comparing the bokeh (quality of the out of focus area) of the new 50mm 1.8G ($220) vs 50 1.8D ($130) vs 50 1.4G ($470). You’ll notice the new 1.8G has a smoother, less busy bokeh than the old 1.8D.

We’re constantly asked for lens recommendations, and if you are out there looking for a new “portrait lens”, this is the one to look at. If you still use the kit-lens that came with your camera and have never tried a fast “prime” lens like this one.. you’ll be in for a huge surprise. It is night and day.

Here’s a link to get your new Nikon 50mm f/1.8G. If I didn’t have the 1.4G already, I would get this new 1.8G and put the extra $200 saved toward another speed light or a good photography book.

If you are not looking for a “portrait lens”, then you should look at the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G DX lens. The 35mm focal length on cropped-frame sensors has a more everyday walk-around field of view.

“Apple will sell a few to its fans, but the iPhone won’t make a long-term mark on the industry.”

Can you say big booboo in judgement? Today, Apple is the worlds largest (revenue) mobile devices company. Larger than mobile divisions of Sony, Samsung, and even Nokia. Apple is a $50 billion revenue churning company… with the bulk of its momentum starting after the release of the iPhone.

Why am I bringing up all this Apple talk? Well just a few days ago, they unveiled their latest mobile device… the iPad. It will be the bridge between phone and laptop… something that I think will instantly demolish netbooks. I’m not even kidding, netbooks are so annoyingly slow they’re pretty much just a slower, weaker laptop.

First off a disclaimer, I’m not an Apple fan-boy… I don’t have an iPhone, iPod touch.. not even a plain old iPod. So why am I so excited? I will openly admit, I am a geek and being a guy.. most definitely a gadget head. If I’m driving by a Bestbuy, I watch as it fades away in my rear view mirror :tears:… if I walk by an Apple store, I HAVE to go inside just because they have all the toys out for you to play with. Then of course, if I walk by a Brookstone… I have to sit down on their massage chairs lol. I just love gadgets. Period.

So back to the iPad, why am I all geeked up? I think it will be an awesome photography presentation device. I think showcasing photos alone to clients with an iPad will get you some business. First off, they will not be able to resist holding and playing with the iPad… then as they are mesmerized by the screen.. you show them how awesome the photos you just took of them look. Flip flip flip through the pictures will equal = Chaa… chiiiing! Print orders, print orders and more print orders. Because, Apple makes an optional camera connection accessory kit, you know the engineers had photographers in mind while developing the iPad. Oh, Epson and their mobile multimedia photo viewers will absolutely hate the iPad too.

Anyways, I can’t wait to play with the iPad at the Apple stores. If you’re geeked out and must have more info, check out the following… especially the iPad release video.

• Apple iPad release video
• Apple iPad specs
• Steve Job’s keynote release video
• Scott Kelby’s getting 2 iPads.
• Terry White’s initial thoughts of the iPad.

What do you think about the iPad, are you going to buy one?

Another reason I prefer these batteries over other rechargeables is how they retain their charges when not in use. Typical NiMH rechargeable batteries will quickly discharge over time if they are not used. What’s this mean to you? Have you ever picked up your rechargeable batteries expecting them to be fully charged, only to have them crap out on you? These Sanyo Eneloops will not do that. They retain their charge better and longer than typical AA batteries (still 80% full after 6 months). This was the reason (before the Sanyos) I would always fully charge my batteries the night before a photo shoot.

Don’t just take my word for it, Jeff Lynch an avid photographer wrote up his own review on these Sanyo Eneloop batteries. He loves them too.

Anyways, I thought I’d just pass this little bit of information to you, just in case you were curious. They work equally well for TV remotes and such too. You can buy these for $13/ pack of 4 AA from the same trusty place I buy mine. They offer them in all the usual sizes too: AAA, AA, C, D.

Links:
Sanyo Eneloop AA 4-pack: $13     Sanyo Eneloop AA 4-pack w/ Charger: $18

Click here for more information on the Sanyo Eneloop technology.

When it finally arrived, I was like a kid at a candy store. I couldn’t wait for the weekend to test it out. After I bribed asked my favorite test subject to come pose for a “few” frames…. we were off to the newly discovered streetside patch. The following shots were some of my very first trial shots using this new lens.

I learned a lot that afternoon… most notably the difference from a consumer grade lens to a pro grade lens. With this new 85mm the photos just POP… I saw the difference instantly. Most of the shots were taken to see how this lens would perform at a wide open aperture (f/1.4). I know now why they call this lens the “cream machine”. Everything in the background just turns to cream cheese… the bokeh is simply dreamy. So after all this, the short answer is, yes I think I’ll keep this lens =) If any of you have questions or comments, just ask below.

Gear used:

• Nikon D700
• Nikon 85mm/f1.4 lens
• SB-600 speedlight x 2
• Nikon SU-800 speedlight commander
• Photoflex Lightdome Q39 medium softbox

That’s why Radio Poppers were a godsend… iTTL CLS with the complete freedom of wireless radio (easily up to a few hundred feet). I can now control all power levels of my remote flashes without having to walk a single step away. The only real drawback to RPs is it’s price point ($250 for a transmitter.. and another $250 for each receiver). That brings us to my mod. What if you wanted to use 2 speedlights inside a softbox for more power / faster recycle time? Well it would then cost you $500 total (yikes!).

That’s why it was only a matter of time before my crazy gadget head started spinning with ideas on how to split 1 Radio Popper PX receiver so that it could control 2 Speedlights. I Googled to see if someone had already done this, but I couldn’t find any… so I was off on my own.

Below are my DIY steps in splitting up the RP receiver signal to control 2 speedlights… only $45 in additional material costs (that’s ~$200 in savings!). The best part is… no harm was done to the RP units so their warranties are completely intact. =) Even more so, RadioPopper themselves sell the mounts and fiber optic tubes to work this mod.

Here’s the end result, two speedlights (Nikon or Canon.. it shouldn’t matter) controlled by one RadioPopper PX receiver… click through to see all the steps.

Double the pleasure.. double the fun!

Fig 11: Double the pleasure!

Here are the materials needed:

1. RP PX transmitter
2. RP PX receiver
3. Radio Popper fiber optic tube x2 ($5 each)
4. Rubber bands
5. Velcro strap
6. Nylon spacers x 3 ($1 for 2 @ HomeDepot / Lowes)
7. crazy/super glue

Fig 1

Step 1: preparing the Radio Popper receiver holder.

Fig 2:modding the Radio Popper receiver holder

• From the before/after pic, you can see it’s a simple mod. Carefully reposition the foam padding from it’s initial horizontal position to a vertical position. This ensures the infrared “hole” is fully unblocked by the foam. (fig. 2)
• use a drill bit on the nylon spacer to increase the size of it’s inner hole. This will make it easier to slide 2 fiber optic cables through.
• super glue the nylon spacer onto the RP mount. Make sure you align the infrared hole on the mount to the inner circle of the nylon spacer before the super glue sets.

Step 2: preparing the RP speedlight holder

• easy step. no drilling needed on the nylon spacers since by default the inner circle is perfectly spaced for 1 fiber optic tube. Super glue the nylon spacer onto the mount. As before, make sure you align the infrared hole to the inner hole of the nylon spacer. (fig. 3) This nylon spacer serves as a holder for the fiber optic cable and also creates a “light tunnel” to ensure optimal transmission of the infrared signal
• comparing the RP receiver mount to the Speedlight mount, you will see both are technically the same mounts, with the exception that the nylon spacers were glued onto opposite sides. (fig 4).

Fig 3: preparing the RP speedlight holder

Fig 4: comparing the two modded mounts

Step 4: mounts done

• finish up the 2nd flash mount. You should now have 3 modded mounts completed (fig. 5)

Fig 5: all mounts finished

Step 5: mounting the fiber optic cables

• At this point, no more glue / drilling is needed. Insert the RP PX receiver into the holder mount. It should snap firmly into place (fig 6)


Fig 6: insert the RP PX receiver into the mount

• Punch a small hole into the rubber bands then slide the 2 fiber optic cables through and then through the nylon spacer. The rubber bands are optional, I’m paranoid and included them to better secure the RP PX receiver mount.. they also serve a dual purpose in blocking ambient light from the infrared signals. (fig 7).

Fig 7: mounting the fiber optic cables

Step 6: connecting the Receiver to the speedlights

• You’re all done and now ready to connect the RP PX receiver to the speedlights! (fig 8). The only caveat here is that the fiber optic cables are only 7″ long. This may effect how you secure the receiver to your particular soft box bracket.

Fig 8: connect the fiber optic cables

Example: My softbox mount

• I purchased a custom dual speedlight softbox bracket from Elvis (~$130 USD the price may or may not have gone up). Check out his flickr page for more information on how to purchase these. His workmanship is excellent, he machines the brackets by hand; these brackets are like transformers, they are extremely strong and versatile =). (fig 9)


Fig 9: My custom dual softbox bracket

• Here’s how my set up looks fully mounted with my RP splitter mod. (fig 10)


Fig 10: fully mounted

• Dual thrusters ignition ON captain!! (fig 11). I tested the triggering up and down my house, no problems at all.


Fig 11: It works!

I hope some of you found this mod useful. Let me know if you’d like me to clarify any steps. Feel free to ask me any questions.

Ok… enough of the weak analogy.. here are the pics. The first pic on the left I turned off the bottom softbox; this produced dramatic shadows that may work for certain shots, but for this one, it fails to highlight the face.. which is what I’m trying to capture. In contrast, the picture on the right had the bottom softbox turned on… and with that you can see how the whole face just lights up. You’ll notice the neck shadows are not as prominent any more. I really like how this style makes your subject’s face pop.

Also worth noting, for this setup, I used another speedlight as an edge light behind the subject. This casts a nice outline adding more separation from her and the background. With the 3rd pic… well, I just liked how it turned out so I wanted to post it =). Anyways… I’m learning something new everyday. Hope you guys are too!

While on location for the “blue dress” shoot awhile ago, a gust of wind knocked down one of our umbrellas and bent it bad. (need to get another sand bag!) Because of that, I ordered one of the new Parabolic Light Modification umbrellas from the makers of Alien Bees. These umbrellas are much better constructed than the first ones I had before. Just from a quick test… these do bounce a bit more light onto the subject than my old ones (they’re not that much more expensive neither!). Like a kid on Christmas morning, I couldn’t wait to test them out… so I had Kay put on the pretty face =)

I’m still trying to get better with the “clam-shell” lighting setup (umbrella up top and reflector below). We dressed the front of the umbrella with a matching diffusion panel (sold as an accessory on their site) to soften up the light some more. Here are some test shots. The first pic is with the basic setup… the next two pics I decided to add a color gel to the background light. Practice practice!! I need to shoot more often!