There's a much cheaper way to bounce...

I own an SB400 flash and looked at this diffuser attachment. First like the diffusion adapter that comes with the SB800 it's a bit bulky and takes excess space. Secondly it costs. Thirdly you can lose it.



Much easier way to bounce and diffuse an SB400: tape a white business card to the top of the flash so it hangs off the front. Bend the card at the middle upward to a 45 degree angle. Tilt the flash tube upward 90 degrees so it dumps the light into this mini white card. Shoot the photo.



You can leave the card on the flash fold it up and stick the whole thing in the SB400's cute little carrying case. Zero cost. Replace it when it wears out.



By the way the SB400 in a room with an 8-10' white ceiling works really well by simply rotating the flash tube up 90 degrees. By design the exact amount of light emits from the edge of the SB400 flash when it's pointed upward. This gives a perfect amount of fill light and the very important eye highlight. You really only need the diffuser or this whitecard trick if the ceiling is so high the flash runs out of gas. The "before and after" photos shown here would look exactly the same if you simply point the flash tube toward the ceiling.



I also found that pointing it up at less than 90 degrees allows too much light to go forward and overexposes the upper half of the frame. If I use the tilting flash at all it's always up the full 90 degrees.More detail ...

No fail operation each and every time.

I have to admit the Elinchrom EL-Skyport competitor units have more advantageous specifications on paper compared to these PocketWizard Plus II units. There are a few other wireless units out there but only two of these brands can compete if you want serious no-fail gear. Heres the comparison:



POCKETWIZARD PLUS II



1. 16-bit / 344.04MHz

2. Sync up to 1/500s

3. 4 Channels

4. 1600+ foot range

5. AA battery or AC

6. Transceiver (auto-sensing no need to purchase different units)

7. Flexible rubber antenna (no swivel)



ELINCHROM EL-SKYPORT



1. 40-bit / 2.4GHz

2. Sync up to 1/1000s

3. 8 Channels

4. 50 meter range indoor / 120 meter range outdoor (394 foot range)

5. CR2430 3.0V battery or AC

6. Receiver or Transmitter models are separate

7. Flexible 360 degree swivel antenna



The PocketWizards are even bulkier than the Skyports which are flat. The antenna of the PocketWizard looks fragile and doesn't hide or swivel down when being kept. In fact the plastic build and feel of the PocketWizard feels like a cheap radio control toy for kids.



And to add more to the above it's almost twice as expensive than the Skyport.



So why did I still get the PocketWizard unit? The PocketWizard MultiMax transceiver is more versatile and more advanced in features than the above two models which is what I am aiming to grab to control the other PocketWizard units. I'm investing and banking on the fact that PocketWizard will try to strike a deal with other manufacturers for wireless flash trigger.



They started with Mamiya Corporation and equipped their Sekonic's current light meters with the technology including my Sekonic L-758Cine flash meter that I've installed a PocketWizard wireless module.



And unlike the Elinchrom EL-Skyport RX model (which is a custom tailored version that plugs into their own RX lighting setup) The PocketWizard technology exists in various lighting brands including Dyna-Lite Norman Profoto and Photogenic.



Nikon did once use PocketWizard in their D1X way back in 2002 until they started their own Creative Lighting System (CLS) which does not simply rely on triggering a flash alone but measures meters and communicates the information back to the camera. It would be best to know each capability and limitation especially depending on the scale of your project intent and creativity.



The PocketWizard has been around for a longer time and they have rock-solid reliability. It sticks out from the camera hot shoe like a sore thumb and for a good reason that enables great communication with other units over a long distance.



Conclusion:



You obviously have to evaluate your needs and how you plan to build your system.



If you are on a budget and would like equal reliability over shorter and more normal triggering distances I would suggest Elinchrom EL-Skyport. In fact I would suggest investing on RX models and be able to control Elinchrom's own lights via their downloadable EL-Skyport software.



However if you want to stick with the proven technology and reliability of PocketWizard then building a system around this wireless set up will be an equally good investment down the line especially as they try to expand with other professional brands of photographic devices.



The advantages of Elinchrom shine when you are building a system around their own brand. Outside of this PocketWizard has been the recognized leader...at least for now.More detail ...

Very accurate and super convenient

This is a tool that will improve my workflow and my results. I've been reluctant to take a gray card with me in the past because of their size. So I'd correct color in post as best I could (shooting raw helps of course). With this product I can now quickly do a very accurate custom WB and since it folds down easily to a very compact size it can fit easily in even my smallest camera bag.



I put the Ezbalance to a real test at a recent NBA game where I was luck enough to have courtside seats. The lighting in an arena is tough to balance. With the Ezbalance card I set the custom WB and also used it to set a manual exposure (ISO1250 f3.2 1/500). Shot the entire game that way with the best results of any sporting event yet - perfect color and exposure on every shot. Post-processing couldn't have been easier - crop resize light USM and that's pretty much it. Since there was no underexposure to speak of noise was more than acceptable.



Highly recommended from someone who's tried them all.More detail ...

Great kit at a great price!

I'm very satisfied with this lighting kit. It arrived quicker than I expected and the set up was a breeze. Everything worked perfectly.



The stands are lightweight easy to adjust and more sturdy than I expected. The umbrellas are good quality the lights are bright and the carrying case is well constructed so everything fits nicely.



It really is a great kit for those just starting out like myself.More detail ...

GREAT BASEPLATE!

Please note: This review is for the Manfrotto 200PL-14 RC2 Rapid Connect Mounting Plate with 1/4-Inch 20 Screw ONLY.



I've been using these mounting plates almost exclusively with my lighter weighted Manfrotto tripod heads. I have nothing but good things to say. After years of use occasional (and mostly accidental) abuse dropping extreme heat and moisture exposure - they all work great. I even even over-tourqued one to the point where it snapped off the mounting stud at the base of the camera! The mounting plate and threads are still fine but camera needed a little extra attention at the Canon service center. Not a single mounting plate I own has broken or failed - ever.



Though these little guys are small if you're doing any tripod work - weather macro indoor product portraiture or just doing a star sweep shot in the middle of the woods on some chilly evening they're ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL. There's nothing worse than showing up to a shot having lugged your camera lenses tripod and kitchen sink just to find out that your mounting plate is somewhere else - like on another camera that's sitting on your gear rack back in your studio.



So after a few of these frustrating experiences (I often learn by braille) I purchased a few more to keep with me so I've got one where ever I go. Practically every 35mm kit has at least one and for good measure I keep one in my Jeep - just in case.More detail ...

Great multi-use reflector and best all around size

I looked long and hard before I purchased this since I am an amateur photographer looking to take my pictures to the next level and don't want to spend a lot of money or buy multi versions of reflectors. This is the one to buy. The price is right quality is excellent and provides you with 5 options of reflectors. The 32in size is perfect too; not too big not too small. Nice and compact when folded maybe 12 inches around. Hope this helps!More detail ...

cowboystudio strobist kit

This kit works well. The stand is as sturdy as other lighting stands I have. The adapter mounts securely. The umbrella rod fits well through the adapter and adjusts properly. My flashes 430exII and Sunpak 363 mount securely onto the adapter. I just might purchase another of these kits.More detail ...

Solid stand - not so compact

This is a solid medium weight stand. It does what it's supposed to do and is better for lights/flashes/etc that are on the medium weight side(or if you have softboxes). Frankly I prefer my Manfrotto 001B which is a super-light-weight 6 foot stand and folds down much smaller. So in the end... as a studio stand great. As a portable stand not bad but you can buy lighter. Build quality is fine and none of the hardware seems cheap. A previous review said this stand was "air cushioned" but it really isn't. It might have that effect in the right conditions but I own some true "air cushioned" stands and this one is not. For the price you won't complain.More detail ...