Discovered Nikon SB-20

[Andre Reinders]

I recently had a renewed interest in studio type shots after a lighting workshop put on by a member of our photo club. In the past I started down this road, and have some wein peanuts and 2 Canon ex series flashes, and a Vivitar 285. I never felt I had enough light to properly light the background, hair, etc. so it did not go to far.
 
The more I shoot, the more I realize that manual is the way to go, for metering and now also for flash work (those pesky black or white backgrounds fool the auto system). Anyway, after the workshop I started to look for what older flashes may be out there which had manual variable power control - and which were not too expensive. I stumbled upon a list at Strobist, which attempted to be a comprehensive list of such manual, and variable power flashes. I looked around on ebay for a number of the models - and many were still up there in price. I then checked on the Nikon SB-20. While it looks funny, and doesn't have swivel - it does have tilt and a guide number of 100' (at ASA100). It also has manual control: full down to 1/16 power.
 
I picked up 3 from e-bay at anywhere from about $10-$30 each. Not the best for a snoot as it does not have a traditional head on it. In addition to the manual setting, they have an auto (with sensor and thyristor) and TTL. They have a low voltage - and will also work with Canon EOS cameras - I tried it out on my XT.
 
Another gem is the Sunpak Auto 30dx (aka 422D) - I got one for about $35 - it has the same guide number and has a tilt and swivel head as well. Further searching pointed me at a cheaper alternative to the Wein Peanut - a similar unit from 'Sonia'.
 
I know I am rambling, but I am excited to get everything setup, and glad I
spent a lot less than I could have.
 
:2yippee:

[LarryD]

Manual is the only way to go. Good for you

[Andre Reinders]

I finally made time to set up all the SB-20 etc. It has certainly made a difference to my portrait lighting ability.

Here is the drawn layout:


and the photo of the real layout:


The description:
The background is a Tim West Polarizer Blue muslin - I set it up 6 feet wide. The background lights are two Nikon SB-20's set about 3.5 feet out from the background and pointed at the centre, They are set to Tele on the lens and at 1/16 power, 4' off the ground. One triggered by a Wein Peanut slave, the other by a Vivitar SL-2 slave.
The hair light is a Sunpack Auto 30dx at 1/16 power with a spaghetti box as a snoot - with a 1 stop ND gel inserted into the box. About 1 foot from the backdrop and 6 feet high - triggered my a Sonia brand slave.
The main light is a Vivitar 285 at 1/4 power, triggered by a Wein peanut slave.  Shot into a 43" photoflex umbrella about 7.5 from the background, and a foot in from the edge of the background.
The subject / stool is about 5 feet from the background, and I was about 5 feet away from the subject. Shooting a Canon 20D, Tamron 17-50 f2.8 @ usually the 50mm FL, with a 580ex on camera set at 1/64 power to provide a little fill and trigger the flashes. Camera set a ISO200 and 1/125 sec. and f/8.
I have one unused Nikon SB-20 which I can setup in a dual flash bracket I made to use with my 48" umbrella:





I did not use the dual flash today....

And now a couple of results!




I am happy! I just need to get 2 more slaves, one as a backup and one I have seems flakey. ALso a couple more little PC cables, and I should be set!

[jake]

Wow. One thing I can tell just from looking at this is that it is fairly portable. Maybe a small duffle or something. Are the wireless slaves pretty dependable?

And how long do you think this would have taken to get dialed in if you hadn't been shooting digital? Digital must be a studio photographer's (and wedding and and and...) dream come true.

Your little girl is plenty cute, but that cat should get a show of her own. Her expression is priceless.

[Andre Reinders]

We got the cat almost 15 years ago at a pet store, kind of an SPCA model - the runt of the litter for $10 or something. She used to play in cereal boxes - she was that small. When the other needed special cat food - this one ballooned in size. We believe she is an American Bobtail - as her tail is only about 1 1/2 inch long.

The setup is quite portable, I have a large duffel which fits a monopod, tripod, background stand, 2 lightweight light stands, and two umbrellas and some clamps. If I need to I can stuff a backdrop in as well - when it is packed it is heavy. I have a medium-small camera bag which holds 5 flashes, and the slaves, and one AC adaptor and extension cord.

[jake]

That cat is just hilarious. Even better that she doesn't have much of a tail.

Sounds like a lot to you in terms of weight, but you should see the set ups that get hauled out onto the sidewalk when one of the fashion magazines is trying to make a 13 year old look like she is 20. Your set up is built for speed comparatively.

[martolod]

We believe she is an American Bobtail - as her tail is only about 1 1/2 inch long.

does she walk like a rabbit?ie back legs longer than front legs?

[LarryD]

They all taste like Rabbit to me... LOL

[Andre Reinders]

does she walk like a rabbit?ie back legs longer than front legs?

You got it! Part Rabbit - part Cat. I always grew up having cats and this is the weirdest looking one I ever owned. I say weirdest LOOKING, because we owned a lot of Siamese - and I don't know what kind of cat would have a weirder personality.

[LarryD]

What scares me is both can be trained to use the toilet.

[martolod]

You got it! Part Rabbit - part Cat. I always grew up having cats and this is the weirdest looking one I ever owned. I say weirdest LOOKING, because we owned a lot of Siamese - and I don't know what kind of cat would have a weirder personality.

i suspect you actually then have a manx, not a bobtail. great cat. ( i should know....i currently have 5 manx.....had 8 but sold 3 kittens yesterday...)

[LarryD]

Last cat I ran into in the wild was a Lynx.... designed for the wild.... Humans think they can domesticate them... OK I regress we had a Phantom cat with a 9 inch paw print recently .... and Turkey feathers around the area.

[Andre Reinders]

i suspect you actually then have a manx, not a bobtail. great cat. ( i should know....i currently have 5 manx.....had 8 but sold 3 kittens yesterday...)

You are probably right  - I looked at some photos of both online - and the bobtails have a longer tail. Ours is very visible - but not as long as the ones I saw online for the bobtails.

Manx it is!

Cute, lovable, cuddly - but this one is dumb as a post. I am a real cat lover - but I haven't seen anything like this one before. She can't be scared. Most cats have some sort of built in preservation instinct - but you could drop a bowling ball right next to her and I doubt she would even flinch, let alone run away.

[martolod]

Cute, lovable, cuddly - but this one is dumb as a post

well...you feed her, change her kitty litter,give her cuddles, keep her warm.....
not quite as dumb as one might think...

[Benny Stevens]

That is a great set up you have there with the two SB-20s. I have one myself and it's true that is a great little flash. I like the built-in diffusor, tilt up & down facility and of course the stepped manual control. It's a pitty it doesn't swivel, but that is the only thing one could throw against it. Dante Stella also has a glowing article on the SB-20 on his website.