580EX + Softbox + Unbrella reflector + reflector = Studio flash?

[cheewooi]

Hi,
I am kinda interested in studio flash, unfortunately for the time being, I didn't plan to invest in any studio lightning system. Anyway, since now I already have 580EX, can I use it as a studio light and strobe. I'll get a large softbox and umbrella reflector to diffuse the light. I plan to start with single light source studio trial to see how 580EX can perform...


Any idea and suggestion? Help appreciated.

[Dante King]

this will work to an extent, but not on the same level as a studio strobe. Flashes have much less power than a respectable studio strobe. I took this shot with 3 flashes:



this worked well as all 3 flashes were bounced (2 off ceiling and 1 off wall), but they dont have the same punch as my studio set up.

you will lose 2 stops with an umbrella and maybe a bit more with a large softbox IMHO. Might be just what you are after. Not saying this wont work, it just wont give you the light that a studio strobe will.

[Ray Marrero]

Get some alien bees.

[Rob612]

I am planning to go almost the same route, because I do not have space for Alien Bees or other studio stuff. I already have 2 580EX, and was planning to get either anothe 580 and a 430 or 2 or 3 430. I do have the ST-2 also, so I won't have probelms in using all of them off camera. Some supports and a couple of umbrellas are something that will fit in my home, and everything makes a nice extralight portable studio. Sure, the power is not the same but still I think (hope) that it can give me decent results, as long as I do not expect too much.

What are your opinions on the matter ? I know that a studio setu qill be better, but as I already sais, it just wont' fit n my home for storage.

[cheewooi]

Originally Posted by Dante King

this will work to an extent, but not on the same level as a studio strobe. Flashes have much less power than a respectable studio strobe. I took this shot with 3 flashes:



this worked well as all 3 flashes were bounced (2 off ceiling and 1 off wall), but they dont have the same punch as my studio set up.

you will lose 2 stops with an umbrella and maybe a bit more with a large softbox IMHO. Might be just what you are after. Not saying this wont work, it just wont give you the light that a studio strobe will.

Nice workthere.... do you use light meter to meter the flash or just use the meter on your camera? BTW, I wonder if what brand of softbox can mount on 580 EX?

[Dante King]

Originally Posted by cheewooi

Nice workthere.... do you use light meter to meter the flash or just use the meter on your camera? BTW, I wonder if what brand of softbox can mount on 580 EX?

I used the ETTL thru the camera with ratios run thru my st-e2. its painless and easy. For my studio shots its a light meter. I do not believe you can hook up a soft box per say. But you can get a mount for the flash on a light stand and attach one of those soft box like umbrellas. Cant remember their name... CRAP. I got some at home and its escaping me. I have great success with my lumiquest soft box velcro on softboxes. Lose 2 stops but very nice light.

[StealthLude]

I love my wireless ETTL lights... I got a 580ex and two 420ex units. Setup is super quick and easy, but IMO, not a replacement for real studio strobes...

I like my speedlights for when I just want to take my camera out of 20-30 min and shoot a couple of shots just for the sake of wanting to play with my camera. Its also great if you go visit some family, id look like a idiot trying to setup strobes haha, so the speedlights are just quick , small, and easy.

I dont really worry about brollys or softbox, all i do is just try and bounce off walls or celing.

[subtle_spectre]

No....Speedlites are not Bees or any other real studio-type strobes, but they should not be sold short. You can put out A LOT of light from multi flash set ups. I have used three Speedlites for studio type pix and they were good...got paid for the work! I have stands, brackets and umbrellas that I use, as well.

[Rob612]

Originally Posted by subtle_spectre

No....Speedlites are not Bees or any other real studio-type strobes, but they should not be sold short. You can put out A LOT of light from multi flash set ups. I have used three Speedlites for studio type pix and they were good...got paid for the work! I have stands, brackets and umbrellas that I use, as well.

This mkes me happy. I am working on that setup (just got the 1st 430 on top of the two 580), now I just need a couple of lightweight stands and umbrellas or SB. (BTW, anybody tried the small Lumiquest Mini Softbox )