Gear Used in BobKrist’s Lighting Kit on Nikon Creative Lighting DVD
In addition to three SB800s, two SU 800 controllers, and two SD 8A battery packs, the non-Nikon gear in the bag is as follows
- Bracket: Morris MTH-202
- Smallballhead: Giotto MH-1004 Mini Ballhead
- Cold shoe on ballhead: Stroboframe General Purpose shoe w/ 1/4 20 mounting screw
- Compact lightstand: Bogen Manfrotto 001B Nano Lightstand w/ retractable legs
- Collapsible Umbrella: Westcott 43″ Collapsible Umbrella with Removable Cover
- Grids, Snoots, Speedstraps, Colored Gels.
- Rolling case: Stormcase iM2500
- Reflector: Impact 5-in-1 Collapsible Circular Reflector Disc – Gold, Silver, Silver/Gold, White and Translucent – 32″
- Gaffers Tape
- Alligator clamps–including one large one with a small ballhead and coldshoe attached
Howdy Bob,
I just watched your video this morning. Great job. It was incredibly informative as well as inspiring. I was hunting down a list of your porta-studio and found it right here. Thanks for posting it, I really appreciate it.
Again, great job on the video it was well worth it.
Take care,
Justin
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Comment by Justin — March 28, 2009 @ 2:03 pm
Bob, can you expand the list of what you fit into the kit’s case by specifying the quantities for each item? I’m amazed that you seem to fit so much into the case. Alternatively, lay the items out and post a large image taken from above. Thanks ahead of time!
BTW, I enjoyed the talk you gave last year at Adorama, when is your next one?
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April 1st, 2009
Michael: It’s fluid…I don’t take the same stuff all the time. Basically, 3 stands, 3 flashes, 2 umbrellas, 1 32″ inch reflector, two grids, two snoots, two Su800s, a clamp, occasionally some PocketWizards, a couple of SD8A battery packs….that’s about it.
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Comment by Michael Brochstein — April 1, 2009 @ 3:03 pm
You certainly must pack that case very efficiently! Do you the internal adjustable dividers to keep things orderly or do you just use the total raw space without any internal dividers?
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April 2nd, 2009
Michael: Raw space. All dividers out. Some camping store bags velcroed to the inside top (as seen in screen grab at top of page).
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Comment by Michael Brochstein — April 2, 2009 @ 12:41 pm
Thanks again for the info. The only thing that bothers me about the hard case is that it looks like the type of case that holds (valuable!?) equipment. A decent TravelPro (or similar quality) soft-sided roller might be more invisible to thieves (just my instincts as I live in NYC!) – no need to respond to this as there is no perfect solution. BTW, I just ordered your Nikon DVD – looking forward to getting it,…
Thanks again!
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April 2nd, 2009
Michael: Good point. What I’ve done in flying situations is put that bag into a plain green duck duffle from Campor and zip and lock the duffle just before I get to the check-in counter. You get the hard sided protection, but the plain green wrapper. It’s crude, but better than checking a softsided roll aboard.
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Comment by Michael Brochstein — April 2, 2009 @ 3:27 pm
Hi Bob, great information about toting around a small lighting setup.
I use a Dakine Ridge backpack that carriers the my body, lenses, filters, DVD player, MP3, etc in a Dakine Camera Block.
I have been reading up on different “carry on” cases for my lighting setup (basically two strobist setups). I like the iM2500 Storm Case and it’s currently at the top of my selection list.
The one thing I can not get my head around, is were does the tripod go. It will not fit in the backpack or the iM2500 Storm Case lighting bag.
Were do you carrier yours?
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April 3rd, 2009
Jay: Tripod goes in the checked bag!
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Comment by Jay — April 3, 2009 @ 3:05 pm
Hi Bob,
Love the new Nikon CLS DVD with you and Joe McNally!
I’ve got two SB800′s, an 80Dx, and two SB28′s.
Can I sync all of those with my D300? Or should I just use the SB800s and the 80Dx?
Also, you mentioned you use the SD-8A battery packs. I checked on calumet.com and their listing mentions that it can be used with the 28, 28DX and 27 Speedlights. It doesn’t mention the 800. Is this the one I want to purchase (2 total) to run my SB800s?
Thanks for your assistance.
Cindy
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Comment by Cindy Dyer — April 6, 2009 @ 2:40 pm
Hi Bob,
I am really enjoying the Nikon lighting DVD, and was very impressed with the class you taught in Columbus, Ohio, a few months back. You really know how to get information across in an intelligent, interesting manner. Well done!
Max
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Comment by Max Bailey — April 7, 2009 @ 11:01 am
Hi Bob,
. Can you please inform on how you set up the camera/computer to view the picture you had taken on the pc “live”. Does this only work on a Mac? I am using Windows Vista with Nikon bodys D300 and D3
I really enjoyed the new Nikon CLS DVD with you and Joe McNally. I am looking forward for the next one
Thanks
Brian
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Comment by Brian — April 9, 2009 @ 5:01 pm
Just finished watching the DVD. Some instructional DVD’s can put you to sleep. Not this one! Both you and Joe were informative, very organized and were able able to keep the material interesting as you were presenting it. Two thumbs up!
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Comment by Michael Brochstein — April 14, 2009 @ 3:08 pm
Bob,
My big question is: What is the basics I need to start with? I have a D80, with an SB600. Broken down by exact parts you use, what do I need to purchase to get the SB600 on a stand with the ability to add an Umbrella.
Thanks…Looking forward to improving my Creative lighting skills.
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May 5th, 2009
David: Check the Pages section of this block for a list of equipment, including the stand/bracket, etc. BK
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Comment by David Chain — May 5, 2009 @ 12:02 pm
Hi Bob, Can you please tell me if the Nikon SB-900 will fit on the Morris MTH-202?
Thank you,
Brian
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May 10th, 2009
Brian: The flash doesn’t go on the bracket directly…it’s attached via the Stroboframe coldshoe shoe (which, incidentally, is one of the few coldshoes out there that can handle the slightly thicker foot of the SB900) and the small ballhead.
Check out the video to see how it’s done. BK
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Comment by Brian — May 10, 2009 @ 9:57 am
Hi Bob,
Pretty interesting post (and DVD
)
Would you mind sharing what you use for your other bag, i.e. you camera bag ?
Thanks,
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May 22nd, 2009
Depending on the cameras I’m using (D90 or D300) it’s either the Tamrac Velocity 9x or 10x sling bag
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Comment by laurent — May 22, 2009 @ 4:03 am
hey this is a very interesting article!
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Comment by KeHoeff — May 28, 2009 @ 5:32 pm
Bob: I was a little concerned about Midwest Photo Exchange’s description of that Westcott 43″ Collapsible Umbrella: “The small folding design means more joints, moving parts, and a hollow shaft resulting in a less sturdy design than reqular folding umbrellas… If your needs do not require a super compact umbrella, you might want to consider getting a 32″ or 45″ umbrella instead. ” It almost sounds like they are warning us away from that model.
In the video, you say of the umbrellas you use “…but when they open up, they are about a 39″ diameter umbrella.”
Is what you are describing in the video actually the Westcott 43″, or is it possibly something that might be discontinued, but was actually smaller and sturdier?
Thanks for you help!
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May 28th, 2009
Rick: I have no idea! You guys sweat a lot more of the details than I do. 39 or 43 inches? Honestly, I don’t know. Anything that double folds and breaks down really light and small is going to be less sturdy than something that is one piece. The Holy Grail doesn’t exist.
You want small and compact, in cameras or lighting gear, you are going to sacrifice a tad of sturdiness. You want sturdiness? Break out your hernia belts. Don’t be concerned, just be realistic. Think of it like your labels…you want something that’s going to fit on a camera, it has to be three or four lines. You want something that will have your life story and your address? Well, it’s gonna be a biggish label!
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Comment by Rick Kent — May 28, 2009 @ 6:08 pm
Jay commented about packing a tripod. Advice was given to check it. correct. I do alot of humanitarian work out of the country and always take a tripod. I have the Bogen 3221 that I used to carry, but I always had to take the head off to get it to fit in the luggage. Have gone to a lighter aluminum Bogen now to save a few pound in the checked baggage.
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August 4th, 2009
Hi Darryl: I’m glad you approve of the advice. cheers, Bob
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Comment by daryl brewton — August 4, 2009 @ 6:11 am
Hi Bob,
What clamps do you use to attach the reflector to the light stand?
(Also, many thanks for the very useful video and blog.)
Regards, Heiko
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November 21st, 2009
Heiko: Standard Alligator Clamp, available at hardware stores everywhere.
Google: Alligator Clamps! cheers, Bob
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Comment by Heiko — November 21, 2009 @ 5:56 pm
Hello Bob. The video was great but then I am a fan of your books and tapes. I do have a question. Thanks for posting everything in the kit. I have ordered all the parts and can not figure out how the pieces fit together on the speedlight. That is the locking accessory shoe, the shoe mount umbrella tilthead and the gotto ball head. I am a klutz I know. We met once in fact you bought me dinner. It was in Niagra Falls and you were one of the instructors for an American Photo Mentors Series trek. You were very helpfull on that trip. You are a great teacher. Thanks so much. I will check back for a response and thanks in advance. I know you are busy.
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December 2nd, 2009
Hi Barbara: Geez, I don’t know how to advise you in this case. Between the blog posting and the videos, it’s pretty much all out there. Perhaps you should consider taking one of Joe’s many lighting courses, or sign up for my upcoming Maine or Prague workshops…I’d be able to advise you there with no problem! BK
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Comment by Barbara Lanier — December 2, 2009 @ 8:03 pm
hey bob,
as a young photographer, i’m new to the world of flying with a full lighting setup. i have to fly to georgia from california next month for some work and i hope to cary on my bag. i can fit the westcott umbrella and the stand in my carry on camera case just fine, but i’m afraid it will cause trouble with security. they could be seen as weapons or the like. have you ever tried carrying on an umbrella and stand before, and if so, did it work? thanks!
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February 23rd, 2010
Moonie: I have carried those items aboard quite a bit in the past with no problems, but I haven’t tried it since the underpants bomber. I don’t think it will be a problem, but it might depend on TSA agent. To be safe, you might want to check them. They’re not all that hard or expensive to replace on location should your checked bags go awry. Bob
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Comment by moonie — February 23, 2010 @ 2:40 pm
Joe:
Fantastic work with the Nikon CLS video. Common sense approach and helps amatuers to see how a pro does it. One question about your equipment. The rig attached to your sppedlights. Could you provide more info on that?
Thanks again,
Ken Kimble
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March 20th, 2010
Ken: All the parts are listed, and hotlinked in the post above, called Bob’s Compact Lighting Kit, under the pages section. Not sure what else I can tell you! BK
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Comment by Ken Kimble — March 20, 2010 @ 12:46 pm
I bet you can fit a lastolite ezybox
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Comment by jeff p — April 7, 2010 @ 2:40 pm
Bob:
I’ve been using 2 sb800s and 2 sb600s for a couple years for real estate photography but now getting into photo shoots for magazines, etc.
I’m looking at ‘proper’ strobes like Alien Bees and the like – the choices are endless! Fan cooled, non fan-cooled, so many watts per second, modeling light, no modeling light, colour temperature, ad infinitum.
Where does a person start?
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May 7th, 2010
Sean: A person starts with a good long look through the archives of the Strobist, a realistic assessments of the requirements of your assignments, and maybe a read of such books as “Secrets of Lighting on Location” (by yours truly) or Hot Shoe Diaries, from the irrepressible Mr. Joseph McNally, or any of the myriad books on lighting by Kirk Tuck. It’s all there to be researched, right on the “internets”. Good luck, Bob
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Comment by sean chandler — May 7, 2010 @ 3:42 pm
Hi Bob,
I’d like to say a big thank you for taking the time to present the CLS video. You’ve made a bewildering subject much more understandable to a newcomer. I’ve been inspired to play more with my lighting and it’s changed the way I look at photography.
Can I ask what mount you were using to vertically orientate the camera on the ballhead on your video?
I’ve bookmarked the website and it’s now in my list of go-to places when I’m feeling that photography’s a scarily big subject. Cheers for making it fun!
All the best
Darren
Darren
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August 17th, 2010
Darren: It’s an L bracket from Really Right Stuff (www.reallyrightstuff.com).
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August 18th, 2010
Cheers Bob, much appreciated.
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Comment by Darren E — August 17, 2010 @ 4:13 pm