What lights to get?

[ChrisLUM]

Hey everyone I've been looking for lighting but I'm having a hard time deciding on what to get. I'm not looking to spend a great amount but willing to pay for what would be worth it for me right now. I've been looking at monolights due to the fact that I want to be more portable and I have never used packs before really. I am familiar with Alien Bees and white lightning bouncing into a Silver umbrella, and setting up a 4 light setup for senior portraits.

I want to start experimenting with models and try to be creative. How do you decide what power is right for you? Another reason why it may be hard for me to decide is because I do very general shooting. Everything from weddings to outdoor teams/sports and night shoots. I'm trying to figure out what I can do right now. Should I just buy a few light stands and try to shoot through an umbrella or softbox using a few 580ex? I know there are many disadvantages to that also but how effective is it? I know strobes are more effective and consistent, would it not be worth bothering flashguns. if so what brand of lights or type? Elichrom? Profoto? White Lightning? Monolights? PowerPacks? I am planning to get a Sekonic light meter also. Any inputs?

As far as lighting, this is a list of my equipment.

3 - PocketWizards Plus II
1 - Canon 580ex
1 - Canon 580ex II
1 - Nikon SB800

[FlashZebra]

Why not just start with what you have.

If you put that Nikon SB-800 in the built in optical slave mode and connect a Pocket Wizard to each of the 580EX units (with the third pocket wizard on you camera) you will already have a nice three flash setup.

Just make sure you have

1) Three light stands
2) two umbrellas
3) three umbrella adapters
4) the needed cords to connect the pocket wizards to the 580EX flash units.

Then just have at it.

Enjoy! Lon