Can you use two speedlight in tandem with an umbrella or soft box to increase the power?

Matrixphoto

Can you use two speedlight in tandem with an umbrella or soft box to increase the power?

Lou Recine
Matrix Photography

jan1215

Absolutely; although I think the primary reason to use two speedlights is not for increase power but to reduce recycling time. A number of companies sell brackets with dual mounts. See http://www.phottixstore.com/store/flash-accessories/ftx2.html for example.

Trev

As Jan says, yes, there are brackets to hook up 2/3/4 speedlights.

Getting the 4 Square Speedlight set-up would be the best way as you can put only on what you like, and it's a compact/nice configuration, but you don't need to have 4 lights, just set the 2 and since it's so compact setting it up through a softbox/umbrella is dead simple.

Sample here: http://lightwaredirect.com/foursquare/

Accessories: http://lightwaredirect.com/foursquare/products/accessories/

Kits: http://lightwaredirect.com/foursquare/products/kits/

Here is a full kit, 4 square set up, softbox from B&H also from Lastolite/Ezybox 24":

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/759602-REG/Lastolite_LL_LS2560_Ezybox_24_x_24.html

When ganging up speedlights, you get an extra stop of light. Say a single light gives you f8.0 at certain setting, it won't give you double the power of f16, it will give f11, the next stop up in brightness.

Cannot vouch for extras after that, but with 4 you would certainly have more than enough to overpower the sun, or as Jan also pointed out, it will save a hell of a lot of recycle time if wanting that option instead of overpowering sun.

Naftoli

trev said "When ganging up speedlights, you get an extra stop of light. Say a single light gives you f8.0 at certain setting, it won't give you double the power of f16, it will give f11, the next stop up in brightness. "
to clarify adding another speedlight will double the power by 1 stop to f/11, f/16 would be 2 stops and would need 4 speedlights

Trev

Naftoli,

Yes, I worded it wrongly in I meant doubling the aperture, from f8 to f16, it does double power which is 1 stop from f8 to f11. Same result, just my wording.

travelintrevor

Double the lights for additional stops:

EX: You have one speed-light and add another. Now you have two stops

You have two and add two more. The two more gave one more stop of light.

You have 4 and add 4 more. The four more gave one more stop of light.

You have 8 and add 8 more. The 8 more gave you one more stop of light.....and on and on

Rudy