Portable flash solution for G&N with two Speedlite 580EX II ?

[Sensographer]

As I need a small and portable flash system which I can take on journeys to make some G&N shots in some luxurious hotels, I am thinking about 2 or 3 Canon Speedlite 580EX II ... anyone has experience with such a setup for G&N?

What else would be recommended? Which portable soft boxes etc.?


Thanks
Senso


P.S.: My 2 cameras are the 5D Mark II and the 1000D

[inthedeck]

For the price of 3 Canon 580's, you could get an equivalent AlienBees package, with a vagabond II, and be better off.

Other than that, I'd suggest checking the Small Flash and Studio Lighting forum. You'll probably get more answers, there.

Luxurious hotels...eh? Good luck. :)

[Sensographer]

For the price of 3 Canon 580's, you could get an equivalent AlienBees package, with a vagabond II, and be better off.

My problem is the weight as I travel with my photo equipment, not the price. Hopefully an AlienBees package with a vagabond II will not exceed the 20kg limit of the airlines.



Other than that, I'd suggest checking the Small Flash and Studio Lighting forum. You'll probably get more answers, there.

Oki, will do so. Thanks.



Luxurious hotels...eh? Good luck. :)

Yep, will start with a photo trip to Dubai ... ;)

[DisrupTer911]

IMO, you could get some older Nikon speedlights with nearly the same power and just as many features for 1/10 the cost of a 580EX2.

SB-25, 26, 28s can be had anywere from $70-130 and pack just as much punch and are smaller too.

a set of PWs w/ cables or cybersyncs would make them very very reliable.

Unless you plan to use all the wireless features of the 580s then don't both IMO

[Sensographer]

IMO, you could get some older Nikon speedlights with nearly the same power and just as many features for 1/10 the cost of a 580EX2.

Thanks, but I already have two Speedlight 580EX II and am interested in getting the max out of them for G&N while travelling. I am sure it is possible to get great shots with them by using umbrellas, small soft boxes etc and putting them quite near to the model ... I really bet it's possible ;)

[inthedeck]

That's what I use, most of the time, 2 580's and 1 430. One is in a westcott softbox, one is bounced off of a white umbrella, and the 430 also gets a white umbrella, or just bare on a lightstand.

[j.owen]

Off Topic: but since your looking into a third and just in case you hadn't seen, there is a $200 rebate from Canon right now on 580exII's. which puts them at about $220 new.

Canon Rebate Center. (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=PromotionsAct#top)

[tgamron]

As I need a small and portable flash system which I can take on journeys to make some G&N shots in some luxurious hotels, I am thinking about 2 or 3 Canon Speedlite 580EX II ... anyone has experience with such a setup for G&N?

What else would be recommended? Which portable soft boxes etc.?


Thanks
Senso


P.S.: My 2 cameras are the 5D Mark II and the 1000D

Check out this site. http://strobist.blogspot.com/

[Sensographer]

Hi inthedeck
Wow, the first one answering my question ;)
Yep, the westcott softbox seems to be great.

I just ordered a Softlighter II and will see how it works.
Would love to see a comparison of the lights generated by a 580EX II with a Softlighter II, a Westcott Softbox and a white umbrella. Think have to get them all to experiment myself with them ...


That's what I use, most of the time, 2 580's and 1 430. One is in a westcott softbox, one is bounced off of a white umbrella, and the 430 also gets a white umbrella, or just bare on a lightstand.

[xmltok]

Off Topic: but since your looking into a third and just in case you hadn't seen, there is a $200 rebate from Canon right now on 580exII's. which puts them at about $220 new.

Canon Rebate Center. (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=PromotionsAct#top)

thats only good if you buy a camera and a lens too