August 31st, 2012 | 
 |
 |
 |
 |
Cameras |
Lenses |
Light Modifiers |
Grip and Studio Stands |
The following is a list of the Photigy.com experts favourite photography gear.
Stuff we use, have used or are planning to use simply because we know it is good. There are links to reviews on some of the products here, and most of the products are linked to merchants we know is good, reliable and always to deliver the best possible prices.
We are affiliated with most of them as well, which means that if you buy it through our page you will silently support Photigy project and improve your karma 
Items sorted from most to least expensive. The comment under each product is a personal opinion from Alex Koloskov.
Hasselblad H4D-40 Medium Format DSLR Camera (Body Only)One of the best medium format cameras on the market. See our review of it’s bigger brother, H4d50. Great camera to make anyone around go “WOW” and impress your clients.-
Cambo Ultima D, large format camera for studio photographyFull freedom with precise movements, this is a real hero and one of the dream cameras for every studio product photographer. Having such device in studio immediately makes you an expert. Read our review. 
Pentax 645D Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)The most affordable 40 MPx medium format camera on the market. Still not available for immediate purchase in most places due to a huge demand. Owning one will make you look like a guy who does not have money for Hasselblad.
Nikon D3x SLR Digital Camera (Body Only)24.5 Megapixel Resolution, current flagman from Nikon.
Best of what you can get for the money from Nikon, but more oriented to a sport and event photographers rather than studio shooters. For studio, we’d prefer D800E.
Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)Current flagman from Canon. One of the most fastest DLSR with limited use to sport and event photography because of tiny 18 Mpx. Forget about crops if you are going to get this one.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital Camera (Body Only)The most versatile Canon full frame DSLR. Amazing noise performance and improved focusing (comparing to old 5D Mk II). Read our hands-on review here.
Nikon D800E SLR Digital Camera (Body Only)The best 35mm DSLR when it comes to resolution. 36 Mpx and no AA filter makes D800E very competitive studio camera. Read our test-review of D800 vs Hasselblad.
Nikon D800 SLR Digital Camera (Body Only)The same beast as D800E with only a difference in presence of AA filter. Which means less possibilities for getting moire issues in cost of giving up some fine details: AA filter blurs the image. Good choice if you shoot lots of fabrics or people wearing it.
Canon EOS 7D SLR Digital Camera (Body Only)Fastest “cheap” Canon camera: with only 18 Mpx it has crop sensor and 8fps shooting speed, great ISO performance, 1080P video at 30Fps and price tag under $1400 makes it a great choice for still and video shooters. Note: it might be worth to wait for a new model.
Sony Alpha SLT-A77 DSLR Digital Camera (Body Only)Great 24 Mpx DSLR with tons of features, like OLED Electronic Viewfinder, Built-In GPS and Sweep Panorama. Cool toy for a wealthy prosumer who can spend $$ on not always good quality Sony Alpha/ Minolta lenses.
Sony Alpha NEX-7 Digital Camera (Black, Body Only)One of the most expensive “point-and-shoot cameras for real people” features large for such camera 24.3Mp APS-C size sensor, 1080 HD Video and very good low ISO performance. This is one of favorite P&S cameras of Trey Ratliff :-)
Nikon D7000 DSLR Camera (Body Only)Pretty good old Nikon to start with for a serious amateur. Has tons of features from more mature cameras, including 1080P Video, 6fps shooting and 39 Point AF System. Price under $1000 makes it one of the best offers from the Nikon land.
Sigma SD15 14 Megapixel SLR Digital Camera (Body Only)Interesting DSLR with good potential. Uses non-traditional tiny (1.7 crop factor) Foveon X3 Full Color Image Sensor with non-interpolated 4.7 megapixels for create 14 megapixel image. Great for tech geeks who like to explain about how cool this technology is. Image quality is questionable.
Canon EOS 60D DSLR Camera (Body Only)Closest competitor to Nikon D7000, great camera for under $1000 price tag. 18MP APS-C CMOS Sensor and 1080P HD Video Capture makes it a good choice for a “serious starter”. Still not sure why Canon added crap like “in-camera photo editing” to it.
Pentax K-5 Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) (Black)Nice re-born of Pentax with 16 megapixel sensor and 7fps speedy shooting. Good for HDR shooting (wide auto-bracketing options) and 1080P 25 fps video makes it one of a favorite cameras for many enthusiasts.
Pentax – K-30 Digital Camera (Body Only) (Black)Latest entry-level Pentax DSLR. 16megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, 9fps and 1080P video, it promises good photo/video performance for $840. Pentax includes several color options, which would be great for your kids.
Sony – Alpha SLT-A57 SLR Digital Camera (Body Only)Entry-level Sony DSLR, yonder brother of A77 model. Price under $700 and full of features makes it nice geek toy, good to start with in DSLR world. As any camera, it can deliver great images if used properly.
Canon – EOS Rebel T3i Digital Camera (Body Only)Entry level Canon DLSR, the best value for the money (as with most of entry level cameras). Full HD video, good ISO performance, fast and capable of creating stunning images. Get this camera to save $$ for a good lens: in most cases kit lens is a total crap.
Sony – Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera (Body Only)Pretty nice mirrorless point-and-shoot, with large 16 mpx sensor, great video (full HD) and reasonable price tag. Highly recommend as pocket travel camera: get slim lens to keep it low profile, and everyone will be happy:-)
Canon EOS-M Mirrorless Digital Camera with EF-M 22mm f/2 STM Lens – BlackCanon’s first mirrorless digital camera with 18.0 mpx APS-C sensor and full autofocus in video mode (full HD) looks very promising. It will work with new M mount as well as support full EOS lenses lineup via adapter. We’ll be testing one in October!
Leica – APO-Macro-Summarit-S 120mm f/2.5 Lens USAAmazing quality piece of expensive glass. Works with Leica S2 DSLR, still considered as semi-macro lens due to lack of 1:1 magnification.
Hasselblad – HC Macro f/4 120mm II LensGreat true (1:1) macro lens for HC cameras. Hasselblad fixed color cast issues we found on first model of this lens. Read our review of Hasselblad 120mm HC F4.0.
Pentax – smc DA 645 25mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM AW LensUltra Wide Angle Lens for Pentax 645D, will work great with 645D camera. It equivalent to 19.5mm in 35mm format and provides you with an angle of view of 95°. Plus, it has an arrow marking the front side of the lens, so you never stick it backwards.
Canon – EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto ZoomOne of the best tele-zoom lens Canon has. Probably this is the sharpest canon’s tele-photo zoom lens. Great for portrait/fashion work. Mounted on 1Ds MKIII, lens feels not heavy and well balanced. Auto-focus is fast, as we can expect from L grade lens.
Canon – Super Wide Angle EF 14mm f/2.8L II USMGreat for interiors and other architecture work, it is virtually distortion-free. Very sharp through wide aperture settings, it can be also used for a funny lifestyle images. Here is the example of such shots: our visit to Maharaj. I have used it a lot for commercial architecture assignments as well.
Nikon – Wide Angle PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED Manual Focus Lens USAWide angle tilt-shift lens, which means it is great for architectural photography. There is not much of competition on TS lens market, so you better love this one.
Schneider – 120mm f/5.6 Apo Digitar M Lens w/ Copal #0Great lens for large technical studio cameras. Macro lens, meaning it delivers the best results when set not on infinity. Works with copal shutter (1/500s x-sync)
Canon – Telephoto EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM Autofocus Lens USAThe best Canon lens for product photography. It is incredibly sharp from F5.6 to f16, still delivering very good results up to F29. Suppose to be a good choise for outdor macro photography: you can shoot little insects from a good distance, without touching a bug.
Canon – EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Fisheye Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens USAMost lens-of-fun from Canon. If you have no idea how and why fisheye lens can be used, check out before-and-after galleries here.
Zeiss – 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRsGreat way to extend your set of Canon lenses by adding this precise piece of German glass. Very nice bokeh and sharpness maks this lens great fro both, macro work and portraiture.
Sigma – 150mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro LensNon expensive alternative to Canon or Nikon telephoto lenses: Optical Image Stabilization and HS motor, price around $1K makes it a good choice for many outdoor shooters. Still, if you have money, get the Canon.
Canon – Macro Photo MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Manual Focus Lens for EOS USAPretty unusual super macro lens. Up to 5x magnification, it is capable of doing microscopic work. Read our review here: Canon MP-E 65mm lens
Canon – EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens“Upgraded” version Canon EF 100mm macro lens. Good performance, IS makes it good for hand-held portraiture. We still prefer Canon 180mm Macro F3.5L for in-studio demanding macro work.
Sony – SAL-100M28 100mm f/2.8 AF Macro Autofocus LensGood quality mid-telephoto macro lens which will work well for portrait photography, focusing up to a magnification ratio of 1:1. It is compatible with Sony Alpha and Minolta Maxxum SLR cameras.
Sigma – 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS Macro Lens for Canon EOS CamerasVery slow focus, but very sharp between F3 and F10 lens. I was using if for several years at the beginning of his career, and I liked it a lot. Especially when working with manual focus.
Nikon – 10.5mm f/2.8G ED DX Fisheye Nikkor LensLens was designed specifically for use with Nikon D1/D2-series, D70 and D100 digital SLR cameras. This 10.5mm lens provides digital SLR camera users an extreme picture angle, you will love it if you enjoy creating controversial photos.
Pentax – smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro LensOptimized for DSLR, this is a true (1:1) and well build macro lens. Great for in and out shooting. Some users complain about considerable amount of chromatic aberration (CA), but most photographers like it.
Nikon – Zoom Wide Angle AF Zoom Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5D ED-IF AutofocusGood entry level wide angle zoom lens. Won’t deliver quality you can find in more expensive lenses, but will work well for travel and casual shooting. Note! AF not supported by D40 and D60 cameras.
Sigma – 10mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM Fisheye Lens for Nikon Digital CamerasNon-expensive fisheye lens for crop sensors. Quite noticeable amount of Chromatic Aberrations is OK for fisheye anyway, so you will love it. Can focus from very close distance, which is big plus for a fisheye: this is how you can get the most crazy shots.
Canon – Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus LensNon-expensive alternative for Canon – EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens. We would definitely recommend it as a beginner’s studio product photography lens.
Nikon – AF-S Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED Macro Autofocus Lens USATrue macro lens, great for many tasks in studio and out. 60mm might be slightly short for some of the tasks though. We always prefer longer macro lens which allows to shoot from a distance, meaning less reflections from the camera on the subject.
Samsung – 60mm f/2.8 Macro ED OIS SSA Lens (For NX Cameras)New, non-expensive and fast f/2.8 macro lens for NX cameras (NX10 and NX100) that’s capable of 1x magnification. Great to capture little bees and suppose to be a great to shoot portraits as well.
Tamron – SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS USASimilar to Sigma – 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS Macro Lens, this is a very good piece of glass. Old and trusted by many photographers. Studio tabletop and portraits are the best use for it.
Olympus – 50mm f/2.0 Macro ED Zuiko Digital Lens for Olympus Digital CamerasMade for Four Thirds Camera System. Well know and loved lens, this Zuiko lens will be good for macro shooters. Slow focusing speed is one of the major drawbacks of this lens.
Nikon – AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR Lens USAGood and compact alternative to a big 105mm VR macro lens. Non expensive and well build, you will enjoy it if hi-end quality is needed.
Nikon – Normal Macro 55mm f/2.8 Micro Nikkor AIS Manual Focus Lens USAAn interesting alternative to auto-focus world. This is a manual focus lens with 1:2 ration (extendable to 1:1 with extension ring) and since most of tabletop and macro work in studio done exclusively in manual focus, you won’t miss much buying this lens.
Tamron – AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. (IF) Macro LensSwiss army knife for amateurs who prefer to carry only one lens. Works great by doing what you expected: shooting with 15x zoom range. Forget about sharpness and good quality if you are demanding photographer, enjoy all-in-one lens if you are a casual shooter.
Rokinon – 14mm Ultra Wide-Angle f/2.8 IF ED UMC Lens For CanonNon expensive, entry lens to start exploring world of fisheye photography. Far fro the best IQ and some issues with infinity focusing, still works great. Looks cool too.
Bower – SLY 358N 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye Lens For Nikon APS-C CamerasSimilar to Rokinon – 14mm, this is non expensive alternative for fisheye lens shooters. Everything is so-so, but for this money you won’t anything better. Most people like it, meaning it worth to have it.
Sony – 30mm f/3.5 Macro Lens for Alpha NEX CameraA little true macro (1:1 magnification) lens for Sony Alpha NEX cameras, manufacture promises that chromatic aberration and color bleeding are minimized to produce clear, crisp photos and video. Most buyers love it, quality beter than expected for $280 price tag.
Foba – Large Acryl Diffuser Cone – 19.5×19.5″Great thing for shooting glossy subjects and jewelry. Foba makes one of the best ones, but much less expensive alternatives are possible , like DIY cone we created for this e-book: DIY solutions for jewelry photography.
MyStudio – Tabletop Photo Studio w/ Jewelry KitGreat set can solve many problems for jewelry/tabletop photographer. Almost a must have if you are serious about shooting catalogs and other “batch” type of assignments with jewelry .
Bowens – Softbox – ~55×40″ (140x100cm)Medium size softbox for Bowens and other compatible light systems. Good built quality for good price.
Chimera – Super Pro Plus Strip Softbox, Silver Interior for Flash Only – SmallStripboxes are great for studio photography because of more controlled and narrow light spread. This is a good one from a trusted vendor, required Speed (mounting) Rings are available separately for many manufacturers’ strobes
Bowens – Softstrip Softbox – 39.5×15.75″ (100x40cm)Same as previous softboxes, this one Includes Speed Ring for Bowens monolights
Westcott – Illuminator Reflector Kit 6-in-1Must have for any photographer: large, easy collapsable, it works great for shooting people, in/out of the studio, 2 diffusers works great for most of tabletop photography tasks. Definitely recommended.
Chimera – Pro II Strip Softbox for Flash Only – Small – 9×36″ (20x90cm)Small stripbox works great for many task of commercial studio photographer. We love them
Bowens – Softbox – ~24×32″ (60x80cm)Medium size Bowens softbox.
Westcott – Illuminator Reflector Kit 6-in-1 – 42″ Square – Full-Stop DiffusionMedium size set of reflectors and diffusers. Easy collapsable, it works great for shooting people, but will work the best in the studio. 2 diffusers works great for most of tabletop photography tasks. Definitely recommended.
Rosco Standard Black and White Glass Spectrum Gobo #81119 Cone Tone (86mm = 3.4″)Cool thing to create an interesting effect on a background, and not only. They are placed between the light source and lens, preferably in fixtures capable of optical focusing. The gobo pattern is then projected onto a background or reflective surface at the desired level of sharpness.
Savage – Translum Diffusion – 54″ x 18′ RollThis is the most useful material in our studios, most of our DIY diffusers, light modifiers and shooting tables made from it. Check out our tabletop tutorials to find out how we use it. Highly recommended!
Westcott – Collapsible Scrim Frame Only – 24×36 inchesGood holder for various diffusers and reflectors. Made from durable carbon steel wire frame, with arms to swing out to 90° angles and lock into place. Fabric covers are easily interchangeable.
Avenger – F1504 – Foamcore Fork with 5/8 inch PinCool holder for styrofoam boards.
MK Digital Direct – 9.5×11″ Reflective Acrylic Background (Black)Glossy black plastic background for jewelry and small tabletop photography.
MK Digital Direct – 9.5×11″ Reflective Acrylic Background (White)Glossy white plastic background for jewelry and small tabletop photography. Note: has internal non-uniform pattern visible when lit through.
Manfrotto – Sky Track Top System 54A dream system for a studio photographer: mounted on the ceiling, it saves time and place holding lights and even cameras on its place w/o any footprint.
Arkay – 6MS-360 Mono Stand 360This type of stands is what studio photographer uses. If you have a studio, forget about tripods and get one of these. Great stuff, recommend.
Manfrotto – Large Still Life Shooting Table with 79 x 49″ Plexiglass PanelOur best friend, this shooting table one of the best on the market. It is large, make sure you have a room for it and need for such large one. FOr smaller spaces get this one: Manfrotto 320 Mini Still Life Shooting Table
Manfrotto – 025BS Super Boom with 008BU Stand – BlackLarge boom stand with arm, a king in the studio. Huge load capability and great quality comes with heavy price tag. Exactly how it should be in this case.
Manfrotto – 420CSU – Convertible Boom Stand with Sand Bag – 13.4′ (4m)Pretty cool double-action stand: Extend the second riser of this Manfrotto 420CSU Combi-Boom Stand to its maximum, press a lever, and you have a stand with a two section boom arm.
Matthews – Minigrip Mounting KitWe use them a lot, they are great helpers in holding anything form a monolight to a reflector, diffuser or a screen. Highly recommended!
Matthews – Hollywood Century C Stand Grip Head Kit, Black – 10.5′ (3.2m)This is a black Matthews Century C Stand Grip Head Kit. It consists of a Double Riser Sliding Leg C Stand with a Grip Head and 40″ Arm. The stand rises to a maximum height of 10.5′ (3.2 m). Big guy for a big projects.
Manfrotto – 098B Wall Mounting Boom Arm, Black – 47.2-82.6″ (1.2-2.1m)This is the Manfrotto 098B Wall Mounted Black Boom Arm. Unlike the Auto Boom, which may be attached to a wall or a stand, this boom arm must be attached to a wall. It telescopes out from 47.2″ to 82.6″ long (1.2 – 2.1 m). Great for small studios.
MK Digital Direct – Tilting KitThe MK Digital Direct Tilting Kit is an 8″ diameter white translucent Plexiglas platform that swivels, rotates and tilts your small subject to your desired angle. Can save time of jewelry photographer, but can be easily replaced by DIY thing.
Impact – Multiboom Light Stand and Reflector Holder – 13′ (4m)Entry-lever light stand, it can support a small or medium light head to a height of 13′ (4 m). Good and quality built piece for its price, but do not expect it to be Manfrotto. We are using few of them in a studio w/o any issues.
Manfrotto – Background Holder Hooks for 4 Backgrounds – Set of 2This is a set of 2 background holder hooks, designed to hold up to 4 background crossbars. Using them you can hang rolls of background paper on a wall instead of using stands. Saves space and time, but can’t be moved as easy as stands.
Manfrotto – 1052BAC Alu Air Cushioned Compact Stand, Black – 7.75′ (2.3m)Great medium size stand for a little money. It rises to a maximum height of 7.75′ (2.3 m), and is air cushioned. Formerly known as a “Stacker”, this stand now has what is called the QSS – Quick Stand System. When folded, two or more of these stands may connected to each other to ease storage or transport.
Novoflex – Magic Studio System – Opaque Plexiglas – 24 x 12 inchesDo not have budget for a serious shooting table? Use this one and magic will happen. It consists of a 24 x 12″ sheet of white opaque Plexiglas, and two bead-stop window draw pull-strings. Any angle can be set for various type of tabletop shots. Recommended!
Delta 1 – Dual Arm, Triple Clamp, Base and PlatePerfect holding and positioning of jewelry, and other small objects during table-top photography. Extended length: 18 inches. We use it a lot, few of them can hold a very complicated setup.
Recommended!
Sachtler – 1020 Sky Hook – Adjustable Mounting Clamp, 2 Mounts, Stud, 1/4-20The Sachtler 1020 Sky Hook adjustable mounting clamp. Adjustable grip attaches from 20mm to 75mm and allows to light-housings to be mounted. With holders like this you can build studio lighting setup virtually anywhere.
Smith-Victor – MB150 2 Section Heavy Duty BoomThe Smith-Victor MB150 2 Section Heavy Duty Boom is a lightweight boom arm with 5.0 lb counterweight holds light heads weighing up to 4.0 lb. It is ideal for a hair light. It extends from 42 to 80″ and has a 5/8″ in brass top mount. Good and not expensive.
Manfrotto – 046B Expan Background Paper Drive Set with Black Chain and WeightGreat for building wall mounted background holders. Used by thousands studios in the word, these Manfrottos are great.
Photogenic – Clamp for Low Level BracketThis item is integral to the mounting of a light fixture onto a caster base stand riser at a level lower than the minimum height of the riser. We use them in studio, they are one of the best for “uncommon” mounting of anything.
Impact – Telescopic Collapsible Reflector HolderThe Impact Telescopic Collapsible Reflector Holder is ideal for mounting reflectors such as Impact, Flexfill, or Photoflex light discs up to 60″ to a light stand. Won’t hold a lot, but considering its price this is a good
Impact – Air Cushioned Light Stand, Black – 10′ (3m)This Impact Light Stand is aluminum, extends to 10′ (3 m), and has four sections, with sure-twist section locks. Good mid-level stand, you won’t regret having few of these in your studio.
Delta 1 – Straight Track Section – 6 footThis is a ceiling mounted track, and it requires nylon track carriers, and spring clips to enable it to accept a hanging cloth background. Made to be used with Delta Muslin Mover background support system, but can easily adapted to hold various little things you need to have around your shooting table.
Manfrotto – 123 Pivoting Boom Clamp for Super & Heavy Duty BoomThe Manfrotto 123 Pivoting Boom Clamp is a pivoting clamp for use with all Super Booms and Heavy Duty Booms. Pivoting clamp for 35mm diameter boom shafts. 1-1/8″ male, and 5/8″ female receptor. We used it for DIY boom stand made from parts of broken stands. Works great.
Manfrotto – 023 Counter Balance Weight – 10 lbsThe Manfrotto 023 Counter Balance Weight is a 10 lbs painted iron counter balance weight for use with 90417 yoke assembly, or any heavy duty boom or light stand.
Manfrotto – 124 Clamp for 3085 Boom ArmThe Manfrotto 124 Clamp allows mounting of the 3085 Boom Arm to a heavy duty stand. It permits tilt, swing and swivel.
Manfrotto – 196B-2 Articulated Arm – 2 Sections, With BracketThe two-section Manfrotto 196B-2 Articulated Arm with camera bracket supports 3.3 lbs at full extension. We use it with Photogenic – Clamp for Low Level Bracket
Avenger – F830 Baby Swivel Pin, 5/8″ Female – 5/8″ MaleThis Avenger/Manfrotto F830 Swivel Pin adds versatility to your stand or boom end. One end slips and locks onto a 5/8″ stand top or boom spigot. The other end accepts a small or medium light fixture that has a 5/8″ female socket.
Delta 1 – Grip-It Single Arm with 1″ ClampThis Delta Grip-It Single Arm w/1″ Clamp. It has s magnetic base which allows positioning along the included base / tripod base / wall plate so that so that you can use the arm on a wall, tripod or as a tabletop base.
Interfit – Floor Lighting StandThe Floor stand enables you to put a flash at low levels on the background, it can also be used as medium sized stand for lower levels. The floor stand comes with an additional brass stud. Great to mount strobe under the shooting table.
Manfrotto – 027 Light Stand Holder for 8 StandsThe Manfrotto 027 Light Stand Holder for 8 Stands mounts to a wall and holds 8 light stands by their top studs. Very ergonomic, we use them in a studio. Highly recommend.
Manfrotto – 196AB-2 Articulated Arm – 2 Sections, Without Camera BracketThe two-section Manfrotto 196AB-2 Articulated Arm articulated arm supports 3.3 lbs @ full extension and weighs less than 1 lb. It also benefits from the extra versatility given by the sliding extension system which allows easier positioning of lighting fixtures even in awkward and tight spaces.
Delta 1 – Light Stand Arm Flexrod – Supports 4 lbsSpecial metal alloy will bend, twist, and reshape in any direction. Holds a small flash, reflectors, gels and gobos up to a weight of 4 lbs.
Can be used for various DIY holders.
Interfit – Strobie Boom ArmThe Interfit Strobie Boom Arm is part of the Strobie set of accessories that liberates on-camera flashes and allows them to work with snoots, softboxes, beauty dishes, radio remotes, diffusers and other light modifiers. Required assistant to be added to a set.
Manfrotto – 237HD Heavy-Duty Flex Arm – for Super ClampHeavy Duty Flex Arm is 18mm in diameter, wider than the standard Flex Arm. This is useful arm to be used in any custom bult configurations for a studio support. I even use one of them as a mic stand.
Manfrotto – 035 Super Clamp without StudThe Super Clamp is a very versatile tool and it holds just about anything: cameras, lights, umbrellas, hooks, shelves, plate glass, cross bars, even other Super Clamps. Again, great to build custom configurations in studio and out.
Manfrotto 405 Pro Digital Geared Head (Quick Release)Manfrotto 405 is a great three-way head with bubble levels easily seen in two axes no matter the orientation of the camera. One of the best geared heads, we use it extensively in studio to hold not only 35mm and medium format, but Large format systems like Cambo Ultima!
Manfrotto 055XPROB Aluminum Tripod LegsGreat tripod, not as lightweight as carbon fiber models, it features the Manfrotto-patented horizontal center column feature, which allows the center column to flip quickly and easily from vertical to horizontal. I love it and have used it for many years w/o single problem.
Check out my wish list on B&H: Beginner studio
… to be continued…
Want to learn more about how to use all this stuff to get maximum from it? Do not miss our upcoming online course:
Alex,
I am wondering if you might understand why I’m unable to download something you send me it as been taken 8 hour and then I was still unable to open the file. Which is really killing because I have try everything I know to make to work. I not sure if it on your end or mind. I tried to finish looking at the rest of last weeks session but now it not ability any longer. Any help you can give me would be great. Thank you for your time.
Would you happen to know if any other person has had the same problem I’m working on a MacBook pro.
Thanks for sharing Alex.
Which light meter would you recommend?
Thanks again!
Hey Alex,
Well after many hours I am able to view part two of the class. Thanks some great gear for my studio.
Viva
Thanks for sharing your gear with the public.
I’ve been following your work for about a year or so and sometimes I was asking myself – what he is using here and there… and now I got the answers..
Keep doing on what you are doing.
I mean it!
Привет из Чикаго..
Alex,
I’m about to replace my flash units and light modifiers with newer models. In past posts I noticed that you used Paul C. Buff Einstein flash units, strip boxes, beauty dishes, and Cyber Commander. I also recall that you replaced your Alien Bees Flash Units with the Einsteins due to the faster strobe pulse time. However, I noticed that you did not include these items in your recommended equipment post. In reading the reviews I noticed that PCB redesigned their Beauty Dishes a few years ago resulting in complaints regarding their durability (the beauty dishes are reportedly now made of flimsy metal and easily bent). Is there a reason why you are no longer recommending the PCB flash units and the PCB light modifiers in your recommended equipment post?
Also, I’m having difficulty with finding older articles you wrote. How about adding an index on the sidebar?
Steve,
I do recommend PCB stuff, we have a little hiccup on adding them to the recommend list: the person who was helping me could not do it anymore, and what was left is a strobes. So, strobes will be added in a few days.
As for the old articles: you should be able to find them by searching, as well as using appropriate category from top meny – all is listed there. What exactly are you looking and can’t find?