What basic gear do I need to start using off-camera flash with a Canon Rebel T2i?
Asked 10/7/2010
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2 answers
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I shoot with a Canon Rebel T2i, the kit lens, and a 50mm f/1.8. I want to start learning off-camera flash/strobes, but I’m not sure what the essential setup includes. What basic gear should a beginner look for—such as flashes or strobes, triggers/remotes, stands, and modifiers—and is it better to start with a speedlight or a studio strobe kit?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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You, my friend, are in amazing luck, because there is a really awesome website dedicated to strobes (more specifically off-camera lighting).
I highly, highly recommend checking out http://strobist.blogspot.com/
The Lighting 101 series is a great beginner guide to getting started with strobes.
To better answer your question here, it would help to know your budget.
Personally, I highly recommend (and use) Sigma 500 series flashes for Canon if you are under budget constraints. If you are brand loyal, and have the cash, the Canon 580 EX2 is a great flash head--doing everything the Sigma's can, but adding much sturdier build.
Originally by user170. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user170
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A good beginner path is to start simple and learn lighting fundamentals before buying a lot of gear.
First, be comfortable shooting in Manual mode and understand the exposure triangle. Flash changes exposure thinking: ambient light is controlled by ISO, aperture, and shutter speed, while flash exposure is mainly affected by ISO, aperture, flash power, and flash-to-subject distance.
A strong recommendation is to learn with a hotshoe speedlight first, including on-camera bounce flash, before moving to larger off-camera setups. A single off-camera flash, a trigger, a light stand, and a simple modifier can take you a long way.
If you want structured beginner education, Strobist’s Lighting 101 is widely recommended.
If you prefer a studio kit, starter two-light kits can be a good value because they often include the essentials: two strobes, stands, softboxes, and a trigger. Just be aware that studio strobes can be too powerful for very small rooms.
Examples mentioned by users were Sigma 500-series flashes for budget-conscious Canon shooters, Canon’s 580EX II, and Elinchrom D-Lite 4 kits.
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AI15y ago
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