Spend my $600 - off camera flash

[snyper77]

I currently have a 5D, 40D, some L glass, 580EXII, and 580EX classic. I'd like to get more creative with my off camera lighting options. I know nothing about transmitters, receivers, stands, umbrellas, etc. I want a wireless setup.

My budget: $600
Type of photography: Weddings and senior portraits

Please help me understand what I need here. Do I get radio poppers? Pocket wizards? Which models? How many? Which umbrellas, how big, color, etc? I even need info about stands (how tall, best bang for buck, etc.).

Or should I just buy the digi bee alien bee kit for $599 (then I'll have to save up for the wireless triggers).

Thank you for your help here.
Danny

[Shamir]

you can buy the Digi bee and get them fired from your 580 because of their slave cells.. or you can spend 40bucks on Cactus triggers.. look for em in ebay

[tim]

Cactus slaves aren't near good enough for weddings, you want 100% reliable triggering. That means Skyports (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/505381-REG/Elinchrom_EL_19360_EL_Skyport_Universal_Radio_Slav e.html/BI/2312/KBID/3114), Pocket Wizards (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/441353-REG/PocketWizard_801_125_Plus_II_Transceiver_Radio.htm l/BI/2312/KBID/3114), or Cybersyncs. Skyports are $150 I think for a pair. Get two pairs so you can strobe the reception and have a trigger on two cameras. I got three pairs, I like spares.

You have enough flashes. If you have an assistant get a Morris Soft Box (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/90032-REG/Morris_32600_Soft_Box_15x18_.html/BI/2312/KBID/3114), they work well. They're a bit hard to use without an assistant though. They're stronger than an umbrella, more efficient in terms of light output too. Umbrellas are fragile, I have a half dozen broken ones, and if you try to shoot through you waste perhaps half the light. The soft boxes throws most of it forwards.

For receptions if you want to strobe the room get a CP-E4 battery pack (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/498738-REG/Canon_1947B001_Compact_Battery_Pack_CP_E4.html/BI/2312/KBID/3114) for each flash, some Lightweight light stands (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/114161-REG/Smith_Victor_401291_Raven_8_Black_Light.html/BI/2312/KBID/3114), umbrella brackets (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/298709-REG/Impact_3117_Umbrella_Bracket.html/BI/2312/KBID/3114) and some Paramount cords (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/421306-REG/Paramount_PMMHSF1_Miniphone_to_Female_Hot.html/BI/2312/KBID/3114) to connect the skyports to the flash. Run the flashes on 1/4 or 1/2 pointing at the ceiling, or 1/16th if you're pointing direct at the head table.

Don't bother with studio slaves, they're big, heavy, and need portable power. I have AB800s bit prefer the Speedlites. You might want a spare speedlite though. I like spares. I have three and want another.

Finally, take advice from wedding photographers, not hobbyists. Most people don't understand the pace and pressure of a wedding. I'd suggest you get this thread moved to the wedding forum.

[snyper77]

So, for the most "bang for my buck", should I Skyports? Radio Poppers? etc? thanks.

[gonzogolf]

You already have two good speedlights. Get a strobist kit with stands, umbrellas and a softbox and whichever radio triggers you like. For the senior work, ettl isnt that big a deal. If you are planning to use them on the fly during a wedding you might want ettl.

[tim]

Radio poppers seem like a bit of a hack to me, using tape and picking up the EM fields produced by a flash. I've read plenty of reports that they're flakey, but also many reports that they're fantastic. Personally I like the reliability of Skyports, which are good value. Their only downside is they don't have anything to lock them to the hotshoe, but I manage with that.