Just ordered 550, 420, ste2, and softbox...

[sigler]

Hi,

I just ordered the 550ex, and 420ex flashes with the st-e2 and a pair of LumiQuest softboxes.

Anybody have this setup? Any advice?

Thanks in advance!

Rob

[deztoys]

Now you might want to get a couple light stands. J and K has a pretty decent air cushioned 10' HD stand for under $40 (US). I bought 1 initially and found it is actually as good if not better then my Alien Bees $69 specials. So I ordered 2 more. Check for them on ebay. Shipping was resonable, something like $7 for the first and $3 each after..

Scott

[Morden]

I have the same flashguns and also the ST-E2, but instead of softboxes I have a couple of brollies. The flashes work great with the ST-E2. I second the suggestion to acquire a couple of light stands.

[sigler]

I actually have 2 old tripods...don't the flashes come with a stand that has a "tripod" connection?

Thanks,

Rob

[Morden]

I actually have 2 old tripods...don't the flashes come with a stand that has a "tripod" connection?
Indeed. In fact, I initially used two 'old tripods' (cheap, crappy ones), but found them wanting in height. For certain setups, such as portraits, it is often desired to have at least one light coming from well above the subject(s).

Using two tripods may be fine - it depends on what you will be photographing.

I hope that this helps.

[deztoys]

Yep...each has the ultra sturdy (sarcasm) plastic legs with a 1/4X20 threaded (yes threaded plastic) socket. I agree, there just isn't enough height in tripods. But play around and see if they work for you. The stands are easy enough to get.

Scott

[deztoys]

A side benefit of having a couple stands around is the multiple use as backdrop holders when you aren't using them for lights. I found that the heads that are on the Jand K (3 posistion heads instead of just the normal posts) adapt really well to a home made ccross bar I fabricated. If you are near a IMS (industrial metal supply) store they have some good 3/4 inch aluminum poles in black and varios other colors ($5) and they also sell 5/8 aluminum solid stock (1 ft lengths worked perfect) The 5/8 aluminum stock fits nice and tight inside the poles. So I cut a couple lengths to various sizes to allow me to make lenths from 6 to 13 ft for a cross bar. For added insurance to keep the 5/8 from sliding too far into the poles I pinned each one. The put a small hole in the length of pole for air release (really nice tight fit on these things) Total cost was about $16.50

This works really well for me, since I don't have a permanent studio area. And the pices all fit in the same bag as my stands.

Scott