Here’s everything you’ll need to put together your own CSU photo approved 2-light strobist kit. These are the kits I have available for loan. For the punch that these setups pack, they are remarkably affordable. Each offers full TTL wireless control. Kits like these may be the most affordable route to continue studio and location lighting beyond graduation. Links are to B&H photo.
The bag: 33.5″ Ruggard Tripod / Light Stand Case: $14.95
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/883674-REG/Ruggard_bp_2035_Padded_Tripod_Case_35.html
Light stand #1: Impact Air-Cushioned 8′ Light Stand: $32.95
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1258466-REG/impact_ls_8ai_air_cushioned_light_stand_black.html
Light Stand #2: Impact 6′ Light Stand: $19.99
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/262758-REG/Impact_LS_6B_Light_Stand_Black.html
Umbrellas: Impact 33″ White Transluscent Umbrella x2: $9.95ea. x 2 = $19.90
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/362385-REG/Impact_S3233_White_Translucent_Umbrella_33.html
Umbrella Brackets: Phoenix US-A3 Umbrella Swivel x2: $21.95ea. x 2 = $43.90
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1175599-REG/phottix_ph87208_us_a3_off_camera_flash_shoe.html
Universal Accessories Total: $131.69
Flashes for Canon: Yongnuo YN600EX-RT II x 2: $110ea. x 2 = $220
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1311157-REG/yongnuo_yn600ex_rt_ii_speedlite_for.html
TTL Controller for Canon: Yongnuo Wireless Transmitter YN-E3-RT: $75
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1090139-REG/yongnuo_yn_e3_rt_yongnuo_wireless_speedlite_transmitter.html/pageID/accessory
Complete Canon Kit: $426.69
Flash #1 and Controller for Nikon: Yongnuo YN685 Speedlight and Controller: $139.95
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1247857-REG/yongnuo_yn685_wireless_ttl_speedlite.html
Flash #2 for Nikon: Yongnuo YN685 Speedlight: $104.88
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1247484-REG/yongnuo_yn685_n_yn685_wireless_ttl_speedlite.html
Complete Nikon Kit: $376.52
Flashes for Sony: Godox TT685S Thinklite x 2: $110ea. x 2 = $220
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1341882-REG/godox_tt685s_ttl_camera_speedlite.html
Transmitter for Sony: Godox X1T-S: $46
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1341960-REG/godox_x1t_s_ttl_remote_controller.html/pageID/accessory
Complete Sony Kit: $397.69
Am I forgetting anything? Oh, yes. BATTERIES. These kits each use 10 AAA batteries to operate. I highly recommend investing in a couple sets of rechargeable AAAs. If you have 20 and a charger, you’ll always be in business.
And while these kits are affordable, they aren’t free. You can surely put together even less expensive kits with items purchased from amazon.com or eBay. However, these sites don’t give you the detailed specifications to be confident that they will work as wireless TTL for you. You can go much cheaper with non-dedicated non-TTL kits, or with optical slaves. Here is our attempt to put together the most inexpensive TTL kit from a couple years ago.
Finally, here’s a super cheap kit that I put together from amazon.com. It isn’t TTL, but would do the trick on a budget:
The strobes + transmitters, receivers, modifiers and remote: $109.95
https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-NW565EX-Display-Speedlite-include/dp/B00O0NMDYE/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1510196395&sr=8-19&keywords=neewer+flash
Light stands, umbrellas, brackets and bag: $39.99
https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Digital-Removable-Umbrella-Yongnuo/dp/B01E6RPMHI/ref=sr_1_27?ie=UTF8&qid=1510196395&sr=8-27&keywords=neewer+flash
Complete Kit: $149.94
CSU Photo 