$1200 to spend the strobist way

Spend my money. I have nothing, but have read the strobist blog 101 3 times.

do you own any lighting currently?

I wasted a couple hundred on hot lights... So no.

Even just a list of things to go by would be helpful.

Light stands,
Umbrellas,
umbrella adapters,
hotshoe to pw adapter,
3 Pocketwizard transcievers, (for a 2 flash setup),
flashes(580ex, 430 ex?) both seem to work well for me

here is what i've got so far on the list

Flashes
Pocket Wizzard
bogen 3373 or other 6 and 8 stands
Umbrella silver 45 inches
ball bungees
super clamps
omni bounce
umbrella adapters

Might want to get a white shoot-through umbrella for some softer light options.

I'm going to recommend this combination and probably get flamed for it, but here goes:
* Sigma EF-500 DG Super (or the new 530 model) about $220
* Sunpak 383 about $80
* An optical slave attachment like this $35
* A PC cord, 15 feet long $10

I'm recommending the Sigma flash because it has a built-in optical slave, adjustable manual power down to 1/128 in full stops, a bounce/swivel/zooming flash head, and if you calibrate it right you can even use its LCD distance scale off-camera. This combination of features does not exist on any Canon unit. It's also a darn nice E-TTL flash for use on the hotshoe, and comes with a plastic stand for off-camera use.

I'm recommending the Sunpak flash because it gives you great bang for your buck, has a PC sync cord included, has a traditional auto mode that can be used on or off camera, and adjustable manual power down to 1/16 in full stops.

Between these two units and the accessories I listed, you have a world of possibilities.
1) Sunpak on camera in auto mode and Sigma in slave mode to light the background,
2) Sigma on camera in manual mode (using its distance scale for power adjustment) and Sunpak with the slave attachment off-camera, in either auto or manual mode
3) PC cord to the Sunpak off camera, Sigma in slave mode somewhere else.
4) Connect the PC cord between the slave sensor and the Sunpak if it's in a location where it can't see the master flash otherwise.
5) Sigma on camera in E-TTL mode, PC cord to the Sunpak (you can use both your hotshoe and PC socket at the same time).
I could go on, but the point is there is a nearly infinite way you can take advantage of these two units. I carry these two units in my bag all the time, along with the plastic stand.

You can spend the rest of your dough and PocketWizards if you like, but sometimes they just add unnecessary complication and take longer to set up.

After seeing David demonstrate his SB-26 and SB-800 Nikon flashes in person, I am tempted. However currently my Strobist setup is a handful of Vivitar 283's and three PW's. The $50 Manfrotto stands and the Westcott umbrellas David recommended. Saving for two more PW's, stands and umbrellas. May swing one as a present for XMAS.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ott_Kelby_Studi​o_Kit.html

I ended up with

3 pocket wizards
2 Nik Sb -28
2 stands
2 umbrellas
2 umbrella holders
2 hotshoe adapters to hold flashes on studs
2 super clamps
roll of gaffers
and someone money leftover. NOw I got to figure out how to use it. LOL

very nice! I wish I could afford PW's...I had to go with the ebay triggers but so far so good. With a setup like that you can tackle pretty much any lighting situation. It's awesome and addicting..

Strobist is really a great resource! Just play and practice!