I bought a Sunpak 120j and I have three pocket wizards now. (On my way to learning some fun lighting!)

The included cords with the PW and the Sunpak 120j flash don't hook up. Can somebody tell me what cord I need, like specifically? Tell me like I'm 5 please. I am SERIOUSLY technically challenged but LOVING the new stuff I'm learning about lighting and pocket wizards.

Also, would you recommend a specific wireless meter for me?

And one more thing: my set up: d200, sb800, pw's, sunpak 120j, umbrella, stand. I'm ordering a cold shoe so I can attach the sb800 to the stand, but the sunpak has a shoe built in. I guess I need another stand? Duh.

Also, I'm not understanding how to dial DOWN the flash. So far no matter what I do, it's just way too much light. Highlights aren't blown, but I'm having to bring everything way WAY down in post. There's some major concept I'm missing here. Is the problem that I need to flash THROUGH something like the umbrella or a softbox? Is THAT how you get the light softer?

My first attempt in a seriously dark room.Click to view attachment

Told you I was a newbie.

First things first, I would go read every bit of www.strobist.com great info for hot shoe strobes. Dont forget to check the links section for more killer sites on lighting.

As for the wires. Your PWs should have came with a mono to pc synch cord that plugs into both the 120j and SB800 with no other wire or anything.

Oh and the little stand that came with the sb800 has a 1/4 thread on the bottom that you should be able to use to attach to your stand.

As for the meter I would recommend Sekonic L-358. You can get it with a pocket wizard transmitter. Its a great meter.

If you dont have an umbrella or softbox. Try bouncing the flash off a wall or off a piece of foam core,poster board,bed sheet, anything you can find.

you need to buy a miniphone to household adapter to sync with your 120j

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller...oughType=search

on the back of your 120j, set your mode selection to M and than you'll adjust the horizontal settings to 1/1 1/2 1/4 1/8 1/16

1/1 being full power, and 1/16 being the least amount of power.

to get soft light you need to increase the size of your light source using a softbox or umbrella. I recently purchased a umbrella box from amvona for $20 (incdluding shipping) on ebay, and I'm quite surprised with the quality, and you'll get a little bit more power than a regular shoot through

here's a link to the umbrella box

http://cgi.ebay.com/DYNAPHOS-PHOTO-LIGHT-U...1QQcmdZViewItem

Sorry about that. I was under the impression that the 120j had a pc synch.

start with one light . . . . seriously - I have 2, but until I figure out the first one, I've left the other in my bag - unless I'm feeling brave.


***disclaimer: Zack told me this, and I have to admit he's right***

+1 on strobist!

THANKS everybody for all the great tips. You're the best!

Steven, that adapter looks kinda like one that came with the 120j. Does the plug end plug into the flash and the pointy end plug into the PW? (Cuz the one that came with the 120j doesn't fit into the PW.)

the one that came with the 120j will not work with pocket wizard's, it's a household to PC sync cord. You need the above household to miniphone cord.

Thanks, and OOOO sorry I spelled your name wrong.

With the SB-800, I put the flash in M mode and vary the power (from 1/128 to 1/1) until it looks right. Personally, I do have a flash meter, but I just use the LCD screen on the back of my camera to balance my lights. I know great photographers who wouldn't be caught dead doing it this way, and I know others just as great who do it this way, so find what works for you. Obviously, a flash meter is the more precise way of establishing ratios and, if you've never done this type of flash work before, I would recommend learning how to use one effectively.

Yes, shooting through an umbrella or softbox gets you the softer light. So will bouncing off walls, ceilings, people's tee-shirts, etc. Softness of light is determined partly by the size of the light source and partly by diffusion. A lightbox will effectively make a specular light source (like a flash) larger and more diffuse.

Thanks, Peter. What's the difference in 1/1 and 1/128? I guess I could set it all up and test it myself, but can't do it right now. (Two sick kids home from school.)

Jules,

1/1 is the full power of the flash (lots of light)
1/128 is the least amount the flash will put out (little bit of light)

Your SunPak will go from 1/1 down to 1/16...If you are having problems with too much flash hitting your subject bring the dial down (on the back of the flash) to 1/8 or 1/16.

Just keep playing with it and you will get it. It really is a lot of fun to practice with those pocket wizards.

keep it up.

E

I'm definitely big into natural light so I don't have much input on that, but here's some info on Uploading Images.

Consider me hand-slapped.

Oh, I'm sorry for not being clearer. Press "Mode" on the SB-800 until you get "M" (Not TTL, TTL-BL, A, or whatever other modes there are). Once you're in "M" mode, you should be able to use the up/down on the controller to change power from 1/128 to 1/1 in 1/3 of a stop increments. For you, I would start by setting my camera to ISO 200, f/8, 1/125 of a second. Set the flash to 1/4 power and see how it looks. If it looks too bright, dial it down a stop or two (1/8 or 1/16). If it's not bright enough, dial it up to 1/2 or 1/1. These initial settings should put you in the ballpark.

Now, once you figure out how to get the flash exposed right, you can start doing really cool things (especially outdoors) by controlling and balancing the ambient light exposure (with your shutter speed and/or aperture) with your artificial (flash) exposures. The Strobist website is a good resource for a play-by-play on how to do this.

Stephen,
This has been extremely helpful info for me. Thank you SO much. Question: when I go to b&H to buy that household adapter, it says they don't stock that particular cord, and it will take up to 14 days to get it in. BUT, they list an "alternative choice" which is a pocket-wizard adapter. MH10 miniphone to household cable - Straight - 10'
MFR #804405 • B&H #WICHHM10

I am *obviously* mentally challenged when it comes to cords and things, so I just wanted to check to see if there's a discernable difference in the two cords. Should I order the more expensive/takes longer to get here one because it's way better? Or will the available now/costs less version be just fine?

Thanks again. Your instructions for adjusting my flash power seriously opened my eyes about how to work that thing.

wow great info, im wanting to buy some portable equipment for a studio to be anywhere as i cant afford one myself! the house/garage would have to do until something huge would happen.

can you guys tell me where to get any tutorials or give me tips on this lighting area for studio photography. im a newbie at it so itd be great to know and to start learning.

Hi y'all, I just wanted to add that this is also an option that will work, and they are currently in stock.