searched for hours. need off camera lighting advice.

[dangillan]

so im looking into venturing into the world of off camera flash, and while i've searched and read through a ton of information, i still have questions im hoping someone with a bit more experience can help me with.

my objective is to achieve more lighting with a portable rig for on-site non AC powered formal portraits of bands and individuals. im currently using a 5D and a 430ex.

my first thought was to purchase a 580ex II, ST-E2 and the impact dual umbrella mounting kit from B&H and call it a day. But upon doing some research, i've started to wonder what my other options are. are there any downsides to using the 580 on camera and firing the 430 into an umbrella or softbox on a stand compared to firing both flashes off camera?

can anyone give a little insight on umbrella/softbox sizes for these flash units? i was having trouble finding info on what sizes are appropriate.

i will eventually be purchasing strobes and a studio set up, but for now i want to keep it simple, and portable. can anyone shed any light on the subject? or perhaps direct me to some posts I may have missed in my searching.

[Curtis N]

If you can live without E-TTL, there are ways to get off-camera light for a lot less money. Or you could spend the same amount of money and get something a lot more versatile.

For about the same money as a 580EX II + ST-E2, you could get a nice light meter, a decent radio trigger system and a Sunpak 383. And I think this sort of equipment would serve you better in the long haul.

Learning to use manual flash opens up a lot of doors.

Here's a thread that lays out some options, in case you missed it.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=308108

[dangillan]

i did see that thread, and thanks for the response. the money isnt so much the worry, as simplicity and portability.

any comments on using both flashes off camera as opposed to 580 on camera 430 off? should i be using a softbox or an umbrella with whichever flash(es) are off camera?

a friend is offering to sell me some quantum strobes with stands and umbrellas and portable power for pretty cheap, should I go this route and purchase a wireless trigger system and carry one strobe with soft-box instead of all this gear? again, i travel a lot with bands I photograph and portability and ease of use is key. im very lost and dont want to spend money unnecessarily.

[Curtis N]

Using one flash on the hotshoe and another off-camera often works very well. It all depends on what you're doing, the conditions, and the desired outcome.

Direct off-camera flash produces "hard" light, similar to direct sun. Pronounced, hard-edged shadows. If this is what you want, fine. If not, you need a way to increase the apparent size of the light source. This is what they make umbrellas for.

Softboxes are nice, but not very portable. Umbrellas are the preferred light softening tools for the on-the-go photographer.

Quantum strobes with stands, umbrellas and portable power for pretty cheap? Buy them. If you don't like them you can send them to me.

[H8Monday]

Dan, this was shot with a 580 on camera as a master and a 430 fired into an umbrella. Settings were all manual.

http://www.credaroliimages.com/photos/238074122-L.jpg

This was shot with the SSTE2 and 3 canon flashes on ETTL

http://www.credaroliimages.com/photos/241921279-L.jpg

[turbodude]

is that josh burkman?

[H8Monday]

is that josh burkman?


Yes. One of the coolest guys ever.