580EX for studio lighting?

[jcouto]

B&H has a kit that comes with two Speedlite 580EXs and a Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 for $949.00 after rebate. Was thinking about getting it to save the $40 that comes from buying those items separately. But I want to be able to mount the two 580s on stands and use them for portrait lighting (mainly for personal use and some "on location" type work. Anyone try this yet? What options do I have in respect to mounting the shoe-mount flashes on stands and adding accessories like a soft box or umbrella. (Can you tell I am new to lighting?)

Any help would be appreciated.

[Jon]

I was working last weekend with 550 and an umbrella as main, 580 as fill, and 420 as hair light, all on stands, triggered by my ST-E2. You won't have long working distances with a soft-box, umbrella, or diffuser, but if you can deal with that, they're fine.