Richard Bradbury's Budget Flash Kit
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The Single Light Budget Portrait Photography Kit is designed to give photographers a practical introduction to off-camera flash without building an unnecessarily complicated studio setup.
This kit is particularly suited to photographers learning off-camera flash, students, home-studio photographers and anyone wanting a compact single-light portrait setup. It is also useful for photographers who want equipment that can move between a small studio, home environment and location work without relying on a mains-powered studio flash.
The V860III provides the kit's main light. Its 76Ws output and adjustable 1/1 to 1/256 power range provide control over the amount of flash reaching the subject. A rechargeable 7.2V 2600mAh lithium-ion battery removes the need for disposable AA batteries and provides approximately 480 full-power flashes per charge. Full-power recycling is under 1.5 seconds. High-Speed Sync is also supported, making the V860III useful when working with faster shutter speeds where supported by the selected camera system.
Mounted on the camera, the compact X3 trigger communicates with the V860III through the Godox 2.4GHz wireless system. It supports TTL, manual flash, High-Speed Sync and other compatible flash functions. The trigger is available in camera-system-specific versions, so the appropriate version should be selected for the camera being used.
Using a bare Speedlite directly can produce a relatively small, harder light source. The 40" umbrella increases the apparent size of the light source, helping create broader, softer illumination for portraits. A removable black/silver cover also allows it to be configured for reflected light, giving photographers two useful approaches from one portable modifier.
Godox S3 S-Type SMART Speedlite Bracket
The S3 bracket securely mounts the V860III to a standard light stand and includes an umbrella slot for positioning the supplied umbrella with the flash. The bracket also incorporates a Bowens S-Type fitting, allowing compatible Bowens modifiers to be added later if the lighting setup is expanded.
The 60cm reflector can be positioned opposite the V860III to redirect some of the key light back towards the subject, helping manage shadows and contrast without adding another powered light. Its five surfaces are silver, gold, white, black and translucent, providing different ways to reflect, absorb or diffuse light. The collapsible construction also makes it convenient for smaller studios and location work.
Two 240cm Air-Cushioned Light Stands
One stand supports the V860III, S3 bracket and umbrella. The second can support the reflector using the supplied grip clamp, allowing the lighting and reflector positions to be adjusted independently.
The reflector grip clamp attaches to a standard 5/8" light stand and holds the reflector in position. Instead of requiring an assistant to hold the reflector throughout the shoot, the second stand and clamp create a repeatable reflector position that can be adjusted as the subject or lighting changes.
Rather than adding a second flash immediately, the reflector allows photographers to learn how the position, direction, size and intensity of a single key light affect the subject. Moving the reflector closer or further away then provides a simple way to change the balance between highlight and shadow.
Battery-powered flash and wireless triggering also keep cables out of the shooting area, making the setup suitable for both home studios and locations where mains power may be inconvenient.
| V860III Speedlite | |
| Power Output | 76Ws |
| Guide Number | 42m @ISO100 (105mm) |
| Flash Exposure Control | TTL Auto-Flash, Manual Flash |
| Recycle Times | < 1.5s |
| Flash Duration | 1/300s to 1/20,000s |
| Power Range | 1/1 - 1/256 Power In 1/3rd or 1/10th Increments |
| Colour Temperature | 5600K ± 200K |
| Power Source | 7.2V/2600mAh Li-ion polymer battery 2.6Ah 18Wh |
| Number of Flashes | Approx. 480 Full-Powered flashes per charge |
| Number of Channels | 32 |
| Controllable Slave Groups (Master Mode) | 4 (A, B, C and D) |
| X3 Trigger | |
| Built-in Lithium Battery | 3.7V⎓850mAh |
| Charging Time | ≈2h |
| Standby Time | ≈7 days |
| Flash Exposure Compensation | +3EV (exposure value) , adjustable in 1/3 EV increment |
| Modelling Lamp Flash | Control the modelling lamp by flash trigger |
| Buzz | Control the buzz by flash trigger |
| Z00M Setting | AUTO/Focus length 24-200mm |
| TCM Transform | Transform the TTL shooting value into the output value in the M mode |
| Firmware Upgrade | Upgrade through the USB-C port |
| Memory Function | Settings will be stored 2 seconds after last operation and recover after a restart |
| Display Panel | Touch screen with adjustable brightness |
| Transmission Range (approx.) | 0-100m |
| Built-in Wireless | 2.4GHz |
| Channel | 32 |
| Wireless ID | 0FF/01-99 |
| Group | A-F, 0-9 |
| Dimension | 40.9mm x 4.7mm x 39.1mm |
| Net Weight | 48g |
| 40" Umbrella | |
| Colour of Inner/Outer Surface | White/Black |
| Material | Nylon |
| Diameter | 40" |
| 60cm Reflector | |
| Dimensions | 60cm |
| Shape | Collapsible Circular |
| Colours | Silver, Soft Gold, White, Black, Translucent |
| Diameter when Collapsed | 24cm |
| 240cm Air-Cushioned Stand | |
| Minimum Height | 79cm |
| Folded Length | 76cm |
| Maximum Height | 240cm |
| Maximum Footprint Diameter | 92cm |
| Maximum Load Capacity | 5KG |
| Spigot Size | 5/8" |
| Material | Aluminium |
| S3 Bracket | |
| Fitting | Bowens S-Type |
| Colour | Black |
| Stand Mount | Standard 5/8inch Mount |
| Internal Clamp Diameter | 90mm |
| Clamp Opening Range | 3.7-6.5cm |
| Max. Tilt Angle | ±90° |
| Dimensions (When Folded) | Height: ≈180.5mm x Width: ≈135.8mm x Depth: ≈75.6mm |
| Net. Weight | ≈470g |
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| Order Date (if received before 3pm) | Cost | Latest Expected Delivery Date |
|---|---|---|
|
UK Standard (Free for orders over £150.00 offer excludes Northern Ireland & Additional Shipping Fees) |
Spend under £9.99 - £5.99 Spend under £149.99 - £3.99 Spend £150+ - Free |
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| UK Express Delivery | £5.99 | 1-3 Working Days |
| UK Next Working Day | £8.00 | Next Working Day |
| UK Next Working Day (Guaranteed) | £15 | Next Working Day |
| UK Before 2pm Next Working Day | £18.00 | Before 2pm Next Working Day |
| UK Saturday Delivery | £30.00 | The Next Saturday |
| UK Sunday Delivery | £30.00 | The Next Sunday |
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It feels good to be back on the EP blog again. I hope everyone is well. For this blog post, I wanted to put together and write about the best budge...
Read more