Choice of two setups, which is best?

[lmulderi]

I have recently been having some friends ask if I can take some portrait pictures of their young children after seeing pictures I have taken of my son. Seems like myself and everyone I know has a kid under 1 year old. Something in the CO water.

All the pictures I have taken of my son are done with no strobe lighting or backdrops etc. I would like to invest in a simple lighting setup and have two options in mind:

1) ~$360 - The Alienbees beginner package with the B800, stand, and umbrella

OR

2) ~$550 - A 580exII, stand, umbrella, and sync cord

Which would be best? My needs are portability to other's houses, quality, and versatility. These would maily be used for 1-3 person portraits for the most part so I am going to get a background and reflector as well (obviously).

I lean to the Alienbees setup for cost but at the same time to the 580exII because it seems it would be more versatile for non-studio shots where a flash could still help the shot. Also is the 580exII a worthwhile upgrade from the normal 580ex or the 430ex?

Thanks in advance everyone.

[PacAce]

Do you already have an external flash for your camera? If so, the AB route might be the way to go. If not, you might be better off getting an external flash first although not necessarily the 580EX II unless that's what you really want. The external flash will allow you to shoot more than just formal-type portraits due to their ease of portability, especially when trying to shoot toddlers.

The 580EX II might be a worthwhile upgrade from the 430EX if you need the increased power or want to use it as a master to the 430EX, assuming you're keeping it, but if you already have the 580EX, then the 580EX II would, in my opinion, not be considered a worthwhile upgrade, unless, as I mentioned previously, you intend to keep the 580EX and use it as a slave.

[eigga]

These would maily be used for 1-3 person portraits

For one person either will work great (need to add circular reflector for fill), I prefer the AB route but it depends on how portable you want to be. Also finding power until you can add the Vagabond.

Covering groups (2 or more) with one light is very tricky and you will want a second light IMO

[lmulderi]

Thanks for your post.

I do not have any external flash unit right now.

I am really leaning towards getting a 580ex(II) or 430ex setup. Seems much better like you said for toddlers and even other types of shots outside a studio environment.

So I guess I should ammend this post to ask which external flash would fit formal and informal portraits the best. What does the 580exII include besides power that the 430ex doesn't? What situation might I find myself in where the 430ex would not be sufficient? I don't want to get caught up at some point saying "I wish I would've upgraded from the getgo..."