EOS Flash & Umbrella?

[nantucketbob]

Could someone suggest a good umbrella for an EOS flash (420/580EX) and the brackets to hold them. Also, a sturdy, portable light stand? Thanks.

[DaveG]

I use the "umbrella bracket" from B&H. After that everything just flows. B&H sells the bracket under three different names but as I've written before they all look like they were made by the same company. Have a look on their site. It should be around $15US or so.

Then you just get an umbrella to suit yourself. I see no advantage in getting an expensive one since they all seem to pretty much the same. You might want to get a realtively small one if making up a small package is important. Just remember that the smaller light source the harsher the light is going to be.

Light stands pose a bit of a problem. A small light one is likely to be cheap too. But I have some cheap non tubular lightstands and they don't work very well. The leg supports have bent a bit and it's diffcult to collapse them.

Light stands are likely to outlive most if not all of your gear so buying moderately priced stands - rather than cheap ones - is a pretty good investment I think.

[scottbergerphoto]

I agree with Dave. It's pretty easy to do. Just get a Multibracket, an umbrella (42"), and a lightstand of medium weight. I used 2 550EX's and a 420EX with one 550 on a lightstand, one on the camera and a 420 in front of the background on its plastic base for this:

http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/35701558.jpg