softbox, shoot through umbrella, beauty dish, e-ttl cord?

[pilsburypie]

My eyes have been opened since getting my 580exii flash. Been totally on camera so far, so now it's time to move it off camera. Funds are tight so it's no pro setup for me, no pocket wizards and no Broncolor Para330FB reflector umbrella (see B&H) :lol:

Probably going to get a 5m flash zebra e-ttl cord. Don't think there is a cheaper e-ttl alternative at those lengths. The 3ft ones on ebay for £13 are too short. Radio triggers are going to cost too much for e-ttl versions. Would like to keep e-ttl function which rules out the cheapo radio triggers on e-bay. Any thoughts on the non e-ttl radio triggers vs flash zebra cord?

Any recommendations or words of caution for softboxes? seen some excellent DIY jobs, but for my effort this seems a reasonable buy http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160358574410&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Light stands can be got for £12 on ebay too

A reflector like this may work well with the softbox http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-5-IN-1-80CM-CIRCULAR-REFLECTOR-UK_W0QQitemZ170352418730QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Phot ography_StudioEquipment_RL?hash=item27a9cb9faa&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Will certainly have a go at making the wok lid beauty dish. Thought that was fantastic in the DIY project section.

Having other flashes as slaves to my 580ex is also interesting. 430ex are out of the question due to cost. How's about cheapo flashes that can be used as slaves just set manually? Do they work just by being triggered optically by the master's flash? I could use one for a hair light set on a low power couldn't I?http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SLAVE-FLASH-FOR-CANON-EOS-DIGITAL-REBEL-XT-350D-300D_W0QQitemZ270452409501QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigit al_Camera_Flashes?hash=item3ef838449d&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Any comments on experimenting with flash, multi flash and modifications I'd love to hear.

[gonzogolf]

If you are just starting with OCF may I humbly suggest you just pick yourself up a convertible umbrella. The sort that have a removable black cover. With it off its a shoot through, with it on you then have a reflective umbrella. They are fairly cheap, photoflex makes a decent one for around $30 or so if memory serves. The shoot through gives nice light, like a softbox without the tight directional control. Its a good place to start, then work up as funds and fun allow. Good call on the flashzebra.com cord.

[GSansoucie]

If you are just starting with OCF may I humbly suggest you just pick yourself up a convertible umbrella. The sort that have a removable black cover. With it off its a shoot through, with it on you then have a reflective umbrella. They are fairly cheap, photoflex makes a decent one for around $30 or so if memory serves. The shoot through gives nice light, like a softbox without the tight directional control. Its a good place to start, then work up as funds and fun allow. Good call on the flashzebra.com cord.

+1 on this. It will serve you well. The next thing to get is a white sheet from WalMart. If you hang it up and shoot your flash into it, you will wind up with a very large softbox effect. I wouldn't suggest this be your actual solution for a softbox, but it will work to give you an idea as to what it can do, and can save a few $$ up front.

[pilsburypie]

cheers for the replies - the umbrella sounds a good start point. I shall investigate.;)