Thoughts on my "shopping list"

[Tharr62]

I wanted to get thoughts on my "shopping list"... I have gotten some attention from a close friend that is a financial advisor (VP).. and he wants to invest in me, to get all the equipment I need to do a verity of different types of photography. He seems to have access to LOTS of potential "up-scale" clients.. and thinks this is a great opportunity.. Now... without having ANY discussion about the above.. (please).. I wanted to get some feedback on the items listed below...

I currently have:

50D | w/grip
24-70 2.8 L
430EX (about dead at this point)
Rebel XT for back-up (for now)

Here are the items "I" have researched, and deem to be needed now.. so I can have a very mobile and versatile setup for different things..

Canon 580EX II Speedlite TTL Shoe Mount Flash x2

Bogen / Manfrotto 051NB - Lightweight Pro Light Stand x2

Bogen / Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapte x2

Stroboframe Flash Mount Adapter x2

Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover - 45" x2

PocketWizard Plus II Transceiver/Relay Radio Slave x3

SanDisk Extreme FireWire CompactFlash Card Reader x1

Impact 42" 5-in-1 Reflector with Lightstand and Holder Kit x1

Delta Gray Card 8x10" (1) x1

Giottos Rocket Air Blower - (Large) 7.5" x1

Op/Tech USA RAINSLEEVE- FLASH (Pack of 2) x3

B+W 77mm UV Haze 010 (MRC) Multi-Resistant Coating F-Pro Glass Filter x1

SanDisk 8GB Ultra II CompactFlash Card x2

Tamrac 5588 Expedition 8x Backpack (Black) x1

Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM x1

Canon Compact Battery Pack CP-E4 for 580EX/2 x1

Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3 x1

WPF-1 Wedding Pro Flash Bracket x1

BGE2-L50: L-Plate for Canon BG-E2N Grip x1

Savage 107" x 12yds Background Paper (#20 Super Black) x1

Savage 107" x 12yds Background Paper (#1 Super White) x1

Photoflex Pro-Duty Backdrop Support Kit x1

B+W 77 mm Kaeseman Circular Polarizer Multi-Resistant Coating (MRC) Glass Filter x1

Xrite Eye-One Display 2 Colorimeter Monitor Profile x1

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel) x1

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital Camera (Camera Body) x1


** still researching studio lights, and Tri-Pod......**

[tim]

Not sure what "Stroboframe Flash Mount Adapter" is for. Umbrella bracket is usually enough. Instead of PW you could also consider Skyports (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/505381-REG/Elinchrom_EL_19360_EL_Skyport_Universal_Radio_Slav e.html/BI/2312/KBID/3114), half the price and work well. PW are the gold standard though, but expensive and large.

Reflectors are generally a waste, but occasionally useful for fill in a studio. With constant light sources like the sun they blind people. I'd get Extreme III cards, bit faster and not much more expensive.

Not sure what the BGE2-L50 is for.

Studio lights Check here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=113639).

I like to have IS on my main lens - 24-104 F4L (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/397662-USA/Canon_0344B002_24_105mm_f_4L_IS_USM.html/BI/2312/KBID/3114) would be suitable for the 5DII. Pair it with a fast prime, Canon 35mm F1.4L (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/162614-GREY/Canon_2512A002_Wide_Angle_EF_35mm.html/BI/2312/KBID/3114) and sell the 24-70 perhaps.

Other than that the list looks good :)

[Tharr62]

Tim -

Thanks very much.. my thought is to start off with a "Portable" off camera light setup with the 580's... get good with them... then move to the more expensive studio light set (that can also be portable if need be)..

The part I listed that you were not sure of was an "L-Plate" for my camera to match a flash bracket over at www.reallyrightstuff.com

[GenuineRolla]

I would skip on the pocket strobes and go straight for some alienbee's. Whynot learn with those..?