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| I purchased a set of Pocket Wizard Plus II Transceivers to sync
external flashes and to also use as a wireless cable release for my
Nikon D200 and D3. A cable release is mandatory because a lot of what
I shoot requires using an angle arm to point the camera straight down
and touching the camera causes it to bounce. |
| During a shoot, I ran into a problem
where the light output wasn't enough from one flash bounced into a
high ceiling. Investigating alternative lighting setups, I came across a dual
flash bracket called the
Brewer Bracket
made by Todd Brewer. The Brewer Bracket is a perfect mate
for the Bogen Swivel Umbrella Adapter that I've been using for years.
I then spoke to Gary at
Paramount Cords
and had him
make me a dual flash Y cable to set off two SB-800 flashes from one
Pocket Wizard. Besides a one stop increase in light when using two
flashes (at maximum power on manual), by setting both flashes at half
the required power, recycle time is cut in half from what it would be
when using only one flash. |
| I had originally been using
Nikon's
wireless CLS system to control multiple flashes through the D200. But
there were times I found the flash connection unreliable. |
| I put together a small, easy to carry,
off camera flash kit using a small 25 inch Bogen tripod carrying case,
part # AW3279. Everything but the flashes and Pocket Wizards fits. I
also carry a Bogen Justin Spring Clamp with extra SB-800 and
Pocket Wizard to mount a flash in an out of the way position. |
| Wireless Dual Flash from one Pocket
Wizard |
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Wireless off camera dual
flashes bounced into an umbrella |
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Detail picture of dual flash setup - components are
identified below
Depending on the size of the umbrella, it can either go through the
hole in the Brewer Bracket or the hole in the Bogen Swivel Umbrella
Adapter. |
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| A - Nikon SB-800 flash.(2) B
- dual flash Brewer Bracket. C - Bogen Shoe (2) has 1/4x20
thread goes through the holes in the Brewer Bracket to mount the
flashes, part # 2932. D - Bogen Swivel Umbrella Adapter, part #
2905. E - Paramount Cords custom Y connector, Pocket Wizard to
dual PC connector. F - Pocket Wizard (2). G - Bogen
Justin Spring Clamp with Flash Shoe, part # 175F. H - Bogen 8
foot light stand, part # 3360. I - Bogen adjustable pole for back light
stand used as a light stand extension (21 - 33 inches) part # 3368, also requires part
# 3101 adapter to connect the extension to light stand. J - 32
inch white umbrella. |
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Detail photograph of the
Paramount Cords custom Y
cord |
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bracket and adapters wrapped in a Domke Wrap
so as not to damage the umbrella or light stand
when stored in the Bogen tripod case (below) |
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Bogen small tripod carrying case
makes it easy to carry the lighting kit |
| Wireless Cable
Release using Pocket Wizards |
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Pocket Wizard used as a wireless cable release |
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Requires a proprietary Nikon connecting
cable similar to
Pocket Wizard part # 804513 which retails for $139 at B&H |
The Pocket Wizard connects to the Nikons in the 10 pin socket
(under the D200 name) |
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