Wanting a cheap external flash set-up for my Rebel XT... help please

[RaymondXTi]

I've been doing some extensive searching on this for the past few hours both on these forums and a few other sites, I just want to make sure I have what I need covered.

I'm a college student doing this on a budget so I'm trying to keep it low cost for now, as I really can't afford the more expensive items at this point. Plus I figure anything will be better than using the pop-up speedlight on my Rebel LOL

I'm considering two Sunpak 383s to use off camera, probably just grab the cheapest one's I find off eBay

This kit: http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=16766&cat=0&page=1 for Sunpak V2s transmitter receiver, then I'll pick up an extra receiver off eBay for the other flash

These stands: http://cgi.ebay.com/Two-Photo-Studio-Lighting-Kit-Umbrella-Stand-Light-Set_W0QQitemZ170266454736QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item1 70266454736&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C 240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 or something similar


Is that all I'll need to plug the V2s into the Rebel and have the external flashes work? Or am I missing anything?

Thanks in advance, much appreciated! :)

[Daniel W.]

Keep your options open as far as flashes, the Minolta 4000AF for instance has manual power down to 1/16, zoom head, and traditional foot. It fires from my Cactus V2s setup just fine. The receivers however are not too stable as far as just using the built in foot, you'll want a PC to female hot shoe (http://cgi.ebay.com/PC-Sync-Hot-Shoe-Adapter-Flash-for-Canon-DSLR_W0QQitemZ110292644479QQihZ001QQcategoryZ30084 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) set too.

Of course if you should come upon it, the Vivitar 285, or 283 with vari-power adapter. Check out this link (http://brisbanesecondhandbooks.com/photography) for a list of flashes with adjustable power.

The stands also don't have the swivel to stick the flash in. This might do the trick. (http://cgi.ebay.com/2-Flash-Shoe-Swivel-Bracket-Mounts-Umbrellas-Stands_W0QQitemZ120307391548QQihZ002QQcategoryZ300 87QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

[RaymondXTi]

Hmm, that Minolta is a little cheaper than the Sunpak's too... I might go that direction :D

As for the Sunpak receivers - what do you mean by being "not too stable" ? Sorry I'm just new to this, and what's the PC to female hot shoe? Is that something I need to make it work or just a suggestion to add?

Thanks for the link on the stands with the swivel, didn't even think of that.

I appreciate the help!

[jeromego]

Hmm, that Minolta is a little cheaper than the Sunpak's too... I might go that direction :D

As for the Sunpak receivers - what do you mean by being "not too stable" ? Sorry I'm just new to this, and what's the PC to female hot shoe? Is that something I need to make it work or just a suggestion to add?

Thanks for the link on the stands with the swivel, didn't even think of that.

I appreciate the help!

i think this is what he's talking about for the pc to female hotshoe...http://flashzebra.com/hotshoes-shoes/0069.shtml

[RaymondXTi]

Yeah that looks like it, so I would need that to make this set-up work?

I mean, it's only $20 but I still want to know if it's a neccessity. Thanks!