Building custom strobist kit

[Alexajlex]

So the time has come to get a kit put together.
I want to use it for group shots and also portrait work indoor/outdoor.
I want to be able to use 2 flashguns at once.

What I have:
580EXII
383
PC SyncCord extension
Hot Shoe to PCSync Adapter (for my XTi from FlashZebra).

What I'm looking at:

MPEX kit SP2

&

I looked at the SH2 kit but was unsure if the extra $30 was worth it for the household PC sync setup.

FlashZebra "peanut" #0073 optical slave.

Want to get some opinions on going with the peanut or the pc sync cables for the 2nd flashgun (or cactus radios).

Any other suggestions are welcome.

[Alexajlex]

I must've asked that magical question that leaves POTNers speechless.

:)

[Curtis N]

Well this question has been asked in various forms quite a bit lately, so it could be just a matter of forum fatigue.

There are so many choices, pros, cons, needs, budgets, preferences.

I don't see an advantage to a household connector type setup for you. Initially I would recommend PC cords and optical slaves, such that you could fire your flash combo any number of ways.

As you probably realize, the 580EX II has a female PC socket, and the Sunpak 383 has a male PC sync cord, which makes things a bit more complicated.

Even if you eventually get a Cactus set, you'll want the PC cords for backup.

[Alexajlex]

Thank Curtis.

I'll have to get some additional cables.
Right now I have the male-female cable which I use as an extension on the original Sunapk cable.

[Curtis N]

Right now I have the male-female cable which I use as an extension on the original Sunapk cable.You could probably get by with one more cord.

A male-male PC cord (I like the screwlock style (http://flashzebra.com/screwlock_pc_fivemeter/0034.shtml)) could be used to connect camera to 580EX II, or optical slave to 580EX II. Your male-female cord could always go between them for extra length when needed.

[Alexajlex]

You could probably get by with one more cord.

A male-male PC cord (I like the screwlock style (http://flashzebra.com/screwlock_pc_fivemeter/0034.shtml)) could be used to connect camera to 580EX II, or optical slave to 580EX II. Your male-female cord could always go between them for extra length when needed.


I took a look at that screwlock sytle and it looks good.

My question is the Strobist SP2 kit comes with 1 15ft sync cable (not screwlock style).

I realized that if I start taking that kit and buying everything individually it costs $20 more than if you just get the kit ($129 vs $109).

I was also thinking about some things I may not need from the kit (such as the AA battery kit).

I got rid of the AA kit and the Sync cable and came up with $98.17.

I'm just putting out the numbers.
I can afford to go either way.

Should I just stick with the strobist kit or should I break it up and get the screwlock cable from FlashZebra.

I'm getting the peanut from him anyways.

[Curtis N]

It's always good to have a spare PC cord.