Basic Strobe light kit

[24Peter]

I'm looking for some input on putting together a simple (and inexpensive) strobe light kit. I'm considering the following:

http://www.adorama.com/JTDL90SCK.html
http://www.adorama.com/PFRUD30.html (two) (I already have nice light stands)
or this kit http://www.adorama.com/SVKF2U.html

along with either the Sunpak 383 (http://www.adorama.com/SU383.html) or the Vivitar 285 (http://www.adorama.com/VV285HV.html)

all for use with my FZ 20. Any thouughts? Do I need any other equipment? (I have reflectors and bounce cards from my video lighting kit.)

[jamison55]

I actually bought this set last month, and have been extremely happy:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30087&item=3866140792&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

It took the seller a few times to get the order right, but the strobes work great,and you can't beat the price. They are a bit more powerful than the ones featured on Adorama, and the modeling lights are very useful. I have used them in my small home studio, for formals at a wedding, and for on-location portraits. They pack up easily in the included bag for transport.

[24Peter]

Thanks Jamison for the suggestion. I ordered one today. Question: do you use a flash on your camera as well (since it's only two lights?) Also, I see they are light activated slave flashes but what about adding this http://www.sell-it-on-the-net.com/online_store/hot_shoe_adaptor.htm to my FZ 20 so I can use the PC cord?

(Nice photos/website by the way :) )

[jamison55]

I use a Sigma EF 500 DG Super set manually to 1/64 power, and pointed away from my subject to provide just enough flash to trip the strobes (but not interfere with the light). I also have a flash shoe PC connector, like you linked, but fear that the sync voltage from the stobes might be a little hot for my camera. If I need a "hair light" in the studio, I use a Sunpak DS20 (http://www.adorama.com/SUDS20.html) attached to my background stand. It has a built in slave sensor that is triggered by the strobes. If I wasn't tying this together on a shoestring, I would probably buy a redio controller for the strobes...(http://www.adorama.com/MRWRT.html)

[24Peter]

a little hot for my camera

Are you talking about an FZ 20?

Also (sorry for all the questions) can you use the Sunpak DS-20 5 in the hotshoe on the FZ 20 (for times when I'm away from my studio although at 3.4 lbs it seems really heavy to put on top of the camera :D )

[jamison55]

I have a DReb, but most digital cameras are more sensitive to flash-sync voltage than their film counterparts. Before you seat anything in your hot shoe, make sure that it is not going to fry it! Here's (http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html) a great resource for making sure you are OK.

I bought the DS20 for use on my Oly 5050, and it worked great. It is fairly powerful, bounces, and only cost $30 at Ritz. It is really light too...