I NEED SOME ADVICE ON LIGHTING

[lvstenys]

I want to learn how to use off camera flash so im wondering what do i need to buy to start practicing. Currently i have a 430Ex and i'm planning to buy a pair of pws, light stand and shoe clamp. I saw some Alien Bees package but is that too advance to start with or upgrade my falsh to 580EXII? Which one is better to practice with, a soft box or umbrella? Most of my photoshoots will be for family and if im confident enough then ill try shooting some aspiring models. Thank you for the help.

[bobbyz]

Before you spend money, read here and over at strobist.com. Then decide.

[gonzogolf]

A couple of thoughts on your post. First, unless you really need super long range I'd opt for cybersync's from AB over the PW. Better bang for your buck. The rest of your kit seems fine. Unless you are wanting to go with the canon wireless system you probably should look at the bees in terms of economics. A 580exII will set you back nearly $400 about 80% of the cost of two bees. Bees are easy to use, much more powerful than speedlites and better for use in the studio. If portability is a consideration the battery powered speedlites are smaller and dont require a separate power supply.

Another option would be to buy a powerful small flash such as the vivitar 285hv, they are cheaper and since you are triggering them with radio triggers you wont have the auto features of the 580exII anyway

[lvstenys]

Should i buy another 430EX for now?

[Cathpah]

Should i buy another 430EX for now?
read the forums and stickies. Learn the pro's and con's about each possibility, and then use those to help you decide which is best for your situation. Each person's needs and budgets are very different, and you will know your needs/budget better than anyone else.

You ask if the alien bees are "too advanced" for you. Again, only you can answer that, but if you're not willing to read the forums....are you going to be willing to read the directions? Both take patience, but will reap huge rewards. Neither speedlights or studio strobes will just work themselves out....they require knowledge of how to use them and how to properly adjust them to achieve whatever result you're going for (as well as taking into account whatever the shooting location/environment may be).

I really don't mean this in a negative or condescending way, and I hope you take no offense. I just feel that you will learn what you need a lot quicker by reading similar threads in the past and learning from what has been said, rather than posting a new thread and waiting for the same answers to come to you. Only trying to save you time!

[gonzogolf]

Should i buy another 430EX for now?

No, for a couple of reasons. The only reason to get another canon speedlite is to use the canon wireless system. A 430ex cant act as a master, only as a slave. If you are going the wireless radio trigger route (no ettl control) there is no reason to buy a 430ex because there are more powerful options cheaper. For the cost of one 430ex you could get two vivitar 285hv's which are far more powerful or a couple of the used nikon speedlights that are popular. The 430ex also doesnt have a pc sync port so you have to have a hotshoe adapter to use the radio triggers.

[lvstenys]

Thank you for your advice gonzo.

[gonzogolf]

Thank you for your advice gonzo.
Happy to help. Let us know what you decide.

[Titus213]

There are a group of stickies in this forum that will help you considerably -

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=138907

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=138912

[lvstenys]

im kinda thinking about getting the calumet genesis 200 lighting kit for $370.00. it includes 2 strobes, 2 lighting stand and 2 umbrellas. it has good reviews.