What studio lighting do I get next? (after 580ex ii)

Hi All,
I use my family room as my in home studio as it has the most natural light but most times I still need a flash. I have a 580 ex ii right now and I use it on a stand with an umbrella. Is there a way I can take a 5 person family session indoor with this flash alone and no harsh lighting or what slave flash should I get? I need to get something cheap as I will also have to buy another light stand, umbrella, trigger etc. Otherwise, would it be better to get a studio light like alien bees?
Thanks for your time!
Melissa

If your budget allows, I would get an alien bee setup. Use that as your main and the 580 as fill.

You can get a AB400, 10 foot stand and 48" shoot thru umbrella for around $300 bucks. I started with a single strobe and my 580 as fill and had a ton of success with it.

I know there are other packages that have 2 strobe setups with stands and umbrellas at B&H that are around the same price as the alien bee.

Here's a few kits:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …KI_Two_Monoligh​t_Kit.html

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ite_Plus_Monoli​ght_2.html

With the Wescott, you still need stands and modifiers, but it's a start.

Thank you very much! Do you know a good place to get alien bees? Ebay? How would you compare the alien bees to the others strobe kits you listed?

Alienbees can only be bought used through other people or new from PCB.

http://www.paulcbuff.c​om/alienbees.php

For what you're trying to achieve I wouldn't wanna break the wallet with high end strobes like everyone else is telling others to get.

Here's a couple of AB800's for sale on this forum:

https://photography-on-the.net …t=1095216&highl​ight=ab800

https://photography-on-the.net …t=1097568&highl​ight=ab800

That's a great price on both considering they are $275 plus shipping from their online store.

Oh, and to compare the Alienbees to the other kits......I would give alienbees the +1.

Alienbees recycle time is .5 sec. vs. 2 and 3 second from the other 2
Alien bees have a built in fan and the other 3 don't. Keep in mind, this feature is usually limited to higher end strobes.
Alien bees are a bit lighter than the other 2.
Alien bees have a 2 year factory warrenty.

AB400 is only 160Ws, which is not that much. Maybe look at more powerful one? (AB800?)

But wait; why are you looking to buy anything? Just for a 5 person portrait in a family room?!?

Studio lights are overkill, IMO. The reality is, if you have neutral colored walls, just bounce your flash off that. Your light will be much bigger and softer than any softbox or umbrella. If your walls aren't neutral, just get a 36" or so white shoot-through umbrella. Set your 580 to M, also manual zoom set to the widest setting, I'd even flip down the little diffuser. The point is, your 580 more than powerful enough and you can make it's light just as beautiful as a studio strobe.

When I'm shooting group portaits at a wedding, I'm working with a single off-camera 580 shot through only a 22" umbrella for portability. And those portraits are shot in dark churches or banquet halls. Here's a portrait from a couple of weeks ago of 19 people done with only one 580 and my little 22" umbrella:

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Except for the kid in the center, that looks pretty good & is well within the limits needed for RAW
processing.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #13196468
Except for the kid in the center, that looks pretty good & is well within the limits needed for RAW
processing.

Thanks. The kid (who is the couple's son) was a challenge all day. I wanted him out in front because I knew he'd otherwise get lost in someone's shadow, but he just wouldn't have it. Ugh.

Peacefield wrote in post #13197808
Thanks. The kid (who is the couple's son) was a challenge all day. I wanted him out in front because I knew he'd otherwise get lost in someone's shadow, but he just wouldn't have it. Ugh.

Sit him on the table. Have the ladies behind him each grab one of his ears!

WOW! Thank you all for your help! I may not be more confused then I was before but at least now I have different options to think about. I would love to just stick with my 580 but I thought with the umbrella the light really only spread about 3 people wide? I have been using it as a reflector, would it make more sense to shoot through the umbrella? unfortunately my ceiling is high so I can not bounce my flash .

Ok, I took a closer read and did see that you recommend shooting through the umbrella. I prefer outdoor all year long so still getting use to studio set ups and may sound like a bozo at times. I apologize.

I use one stop shoot through umbrellas by westcott and others Some shoot though ones can lose 2 stops of light. - Important if you don't have a lot of light to start with.

You can adjust the 580 in manual mode. Over ride the zoom on the 580 and set it to it's widest setting. This will allow you to cover a bigger group.

You'll have to compensate aperture once you do this but it will allow you to get the effect you're looking for w/o spending any cash if you don't need to.