Entering the realm of strobists

[Warreneye]

I'm entering the realm of strobists so this is what I'm thinking of getting (I already have a 430ex)
UPDATE:
A vivitar 285
bogen 026
Cybersync receiver and transmitter
46" Photek Softlighter
and a 7" Bogen lightweight pro Photo stand

What do you guys think?

[snakekid]

you could save alot of money if you learn how to use Manuel flash and get 2 vivitar 285hvs 1 cybersync trigger and 2 receivers.

that would be 370.
Not even the cost of the 580ex2

Plus you would save an extra 500 by not getting pocket wizards.
cybersync reliability is on par with pocket wizards within 150 feet.
Skyports are slightly more reliable than cybersyncs but you get more range and are silightly more expensive.

My set up for strobist stuff
impact stands & umbrellas & brackets
ebay trigger( soon to be cybersyncs)

2vivitars 285hv and 2 vivitar 283($ 50 for both from ebay)

[RichNY]

Nice gear (switch the Impact for a Bogen 026 though and the umbrella for a 46" Photek Softlighter) but definitely not the 'strobist' approach.

There is nothing wrong with the 580EX II but you can buy a used Nikon SB-28 for about $125 which is of the same quality. The same goes for the new Pocket Wizard units which are more expensive because of the eTTL function. Remember that the strobist approach is all about using inexpensive off camera flash in manual mode. The gear you've specified gives you the ability to shoot fast moving events in eTTL mode just at a greater cost.

*I'd personally suggest buying a pair of used PW Plus IIs now that many Canon shooters who want eTTL are selling them cheap. Cybersyncs will work but given the choice between used PWs and new Cybersyncs I'd go with the Pocket Wizards any day. If you were buying new flash I agree with the Vivitar recommendation but again I'd buy a used Nikon SB-28 over a new Vivatar any day.

[snakekid]

plus you have 2 pocket wizards there you would need 3 one on camera and 2 for the other flashes you have.

[Warreneye]

Hmm yea I don't really use ttl but how do the 285's compare to the 580ex ii brightness wise?

[Warreneye]

so I ruled out the 580ex but should I get the 285 or the sb-26

[Warreneye]

The reason I like the pw's is that you can shoot crazy fast with them. But I think I don't relay need it. So what do you guys think of cybersyncs for my triggers.

[snakekid]

Hmm yea I don't really use ttl but how do the 285's compare to the 580ex ii brightness wise?
580 is about a stop more powerful but if you just buy a 10 dollar bracket and put 2 285s its about the same.
It would be a HUGE waste of money if you get a 580 ex2 and use it for off camera in man. mode all the time.
I would also look into skyports if you dont need ettl
This is from the view point of a college student that doesnt make money off photography.

[snakekid]

The reason I like the pw's is that you can shoot crazy fast with them.
look in skyports almost as fast!

[mikekelley]

Snake - i too have an XS and would like to start shooting off camera. Sorry for the hijack - I was considering getting some cactus v4's and 285hv's. would that be a decent start, you think?

[Warreneye]

580 is about a stop more powerful but if you just buy a 10 dollar bracket and put 2 285s its about the same.
It would be a HUGE waste of money if you get a 580 ex2 and use it for off camera in man. mode all the time.
I would also look into skyports if you dont need ettl
This is from the view point of a college student that doesnt make money off photography.

Yea you are totaly right.
Ok what about

A vivitar 285
bogen 026
Cybersync receiver and transmitter
46" Photek Softlighter
and a 7" Bogen lightweight pro Photo stand

[RichNY]

If you are planning on using this outdoors you should add a sandbag

[jemersonl83]

I am just a beginer myself but I am very happy with the gear I got. I bought 2 285hv's for $87 each. Picked up some Hong Kong triggers on ebay for $35. Found some light stands and umbrellas for around $60. Filters for a penny on B&H. Everything works great.

Everyone has different budgets but photography dosent have to be expensive. Once youre making money with it I understand getting the "good stuff". There's alot to learn before i'm ready to charge and I have a family to support.

[Warreneye]

So Photek Softlighter or Photek Softlighter ii?

[snakekid]

Snake - i too have an XS and would like to start shooting off camera. Sorry for the hijack - I was considering getting some cactus v4's and 285hv's. would that be a decent start, you think?

Dunno about v4s but i have only 1 v2s(antenna mod) it works fine with almost 100% triggering if you use one v2s reciever to trigger all your lights (like a bunch of sync cords and splitters or optical triggers). You gotta stay close to the receiver tho.

I would honestly get some cybersyncs since they arnt expensive (compared to other stuff out there for radio). I wish i skiped cactuses and went straight to cybers.

2 vivitar 285hvs.
light stand and umbrella good deal (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/475575-REG/Impact__Digital_Flash_Umbrella_Mount.html)
cybersync triggers and receivers

IMO perfect for budget/performance ratio for a strobist with limited funds.

[Andrushka]

did you guys see those new flashes on the Strobist blog? This "Lumopro" flash from MPEX looks pretty promising... it has a built in optical slave so you could get away without triggers right off the bat since you have a 430EX - at least during the learning curve.

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/03/manual-flashes-two-debuts-and-adoption.html

oh yeah - CyberCyncs FTW!! perfectly reliable...

[snakekid]

if i had 1k to spend like the op was planning on i would get alien bees! with power pack and recievers much better bang for your buck than just a 580ex2 with pws

[snakekid]

did you guys see those new flashes on the Strobist blog? This "Lumopro" flash from MPEX looks pretty promising...

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/03/manual-flashes-two-debuts-and-adoption.html

oh yeah - CyberCyncs FTW!!


I had a better deal on 283s 2 for 50 bucks then i just added a 100k pot (3bucks each) for full analog variable power!

[Andrushka]

I had a better deal on 283s 2 for 50 bucks then i just added a 100k pot (3bucks each) for full analog variable power!

hey thats a steal and a nice DIY move! good stuff there...