Shoe Mount Flashes with Soft Boxes?

[onedownfiveup]

Is this a good inexpensive way to setup a small studio type setting? Or do I need to spend the money on actual soft boxes or umbrella flashes?

[Tumak]

What quality do you want, how reflective is the subject?

[onedownfiveup]

It doesn't have to be something I'm going to profit on. But I'd like it to be something that someone isn't 'going to be like, it looks like crap.

Subject will be mostly human.

Hell, while we are at it, is there any reasonably priced soft boxes or umbrellas for this that anyone would recommend? What and prices? Maybe I just need to save up for two or so.

[Tumak]

You could do it that way. Better to have two flashes. It is comparitively east to build cheap softboxes as long as subject isn't moving. Hunt around on WEB for DIY softboxes if you want to have some fun messing around.

[onedownfiveup]

Subject will be still in all shots. There will be no moving shots.

[onedownfiveup]

How expensive are decent softbox flashes or do I want to go with umbrellas for studio lighting?

[Tumak]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=281524&highlight=diy+soft+box
Try this thread. Something like this, there are different methods, some with flourescents that won't burn your house down or turn your electric meter into a fan. Otherwise you could spend $500 very quickly

[Tumak]

I have been using a softbox that mounts on one flash and a reflective one that mounts on the other. 580EX & 430EX. Still a little harsh, but is at least portable. My next project will be to build a macro lighting stage for photographing jewelry. PVC pipe, flourescent daylight lights, plastic diffuser and reflectors will be part of it.

[Tumak]

Another place you might want to visit. It will pretty well explain what you wanted to know.
http://www.diyphotography.net/homestudio/cheap-diy-flash-mounted-softbox

[Mark-B]

Is this a good inexpensive way to setup a small studio type setting? Or do I need to spend the money on actual soft boxes or umbrella flashes?

Don't confuse shoe mount flash with inexpensive flash.

Used Canon 550EX = $225
New Canon 430EX = $230
Used Canon 580EX = $325
New Canon 580EX II = $430

New Alien Bee B400 = $225
New Alien Bee B800 = $280

Umbrellas cost $20 +
Sofboxes cost $140 +

Assuming you want at least a 2 light setup, you can see that hot shoe prices can add up quickly. You could save money on portable flash by getting Sigma instead of Canon, and you could also spend much more on studio lights by buying more expensive brands than Alien Bees.

Going by these prices, a 580EX II with an umbrella will cost the same as a B800 with a softbox.

If your lighting kit doesn't need to be portable and if you will shoot in manual instead of ETTL, then hot shoe flash may not be for you.

[onedownfiveup]

Don't confuse shoe mount flash with inexpensive flash.

Used Canon 550EX = $225
New Canon 430EX = $230
Used Canon 580EX = $325
New Canon 580EX II = $430

New Alien Bee B400 = $225
New Alien Bee B800 = $280

Umbrellas cost $20 +
Sofboxes cost $140 +

Assuming you want at least a 2 light setup, you can see that hot shoe prices can add up quickly. You could save money on portable flash by getting Sigma instead of Canon, and you could also spend much more on studio lights by buying more expensive brands than Alien Bees.

Going by these prices, a 580EX II with an umbrella will cost the same as a B800 with a softbox.

If your lighting kit doesn't need to be portable and if you will shoot in manual instead of ETTL, then hot shoe flash may not be for you.

This studio doesn't have to be very portable. If I move it, it'll be for a good reason.

What do you mean by hot shoe flash?

so is a B800 with a soft box better than a 580EX II with an umbrella?