Going Wireless Upgrade Path - Cactus V5 vs LumoPro LP160 vs YN-560

So i am toying with the idea of off camera wireless flash capabilities and want to get only ONE of the following for now. After this purchase, the next purchase will be who knows when. Currently I am using 30D + 580EX II. Budget is around $100, definitely below $200. I can handle manual flash for the most part, so ETTL is not a must, in fact not heavily considered. I will be using the setup for indoor and outdoor portraits.

Now here is what I considered.
A pair of Cactus V5 for now: $60 + shipping, pro: range, versatility, maybe cost; con: only one light for a while.
Yongnuo YN-560 in optical slave mode: $70 off amazon. pro: power, power, power, and also two light setup; con: questionable quality per Strobists' website and all the non zooming talk, optical slave requires line of sight.
LumoPro LP-160 in optical slave mode: $160. pro: sturdy, two light setup. con: pretty much same as YN-560 minus reliability issue, but highest cost by far.

Here is an interesting thought experiment:
Say the YN-560 is 50% reliable in one year and the LP-160 is 90%. With the money of one LP, I can buy two YN. After one year, my chance of having one working YN would be 50%, and two working ones would be 25%. So I would have a 75% chance of having any working YN flash at all. With LP, I have a 90% chance of retaining a working flash. For about the same money or less, YN isn't much of a bad deal. However, this did not factor in weighing the event of having two working flashes heavier than the event of having only one. If I do, then the YN is really looking good. But then we start consider the LP has two year warranty from a US vendor, my head is about to explode!

So please, someone come enlighten me, what would you do in my shoes. Oh, btw, I am considering Nikon SB-26 at the moment because the price has been driven pretty high on ebay(good ones at $150-$180) and good ones are hard to come by.

So the trains will meet in Chicago at 2pm.

j/k but it sure sounds like a math problem to me!
I would not get the 560 but rather the 460II and a set of Yongnuo triggers for much less than $200. The YN flashes are pretty good and excellent value for the money. The YN triggers are pretty much the gold standard of "cheap and it works" triggers.

YN rf 602 with 2 recievers and 1 transmitter - $58 shipped
YN 460-II - $45 shipped

flowrider wrote in post #12022706
So the trains will meet in Chicago at 2pm.
j/k but it sure sounds like a math problem to me!
I would not get the 560 but rather the 460II and a set of Yongnuo triggers for much less than $200. The YN flashes are pretty good and excellent value for the money. The YN triggers are pretty much the gold standard of "cheap and it works" triggers.

YN rf 602 with 2 recievers and 1 transmitter - $58 shipped
YN 460-II - $45 shipped

I'm looking to have the same set up including a couple of stands and umbrellas. It was about 2 weeks of researching etc. and I'm sold on the Yongnuo products. I'm going with the exact set up mentioned above along with these stands, adapters and umbrellas. Should be roughly about $200.


http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1299770​621&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1299775​954&sr=8-4

http://www.adorama.com​/PTSMA1000.html

Can you explain this

"all the non zooming talk"

I have an LP160, it is a very powerful flash and it has been a very useful tool. The optical slave on it is very sensitive and I have not had a problem with it going off even when using it for back fill behind an object. The LP160 has a zoom function and come with a diffuser for the widest setting. I have even used it on my hotshoe of the 40d and xt with no problems (not that there should be). Some people are scared of manual flashes(which is seems you arent) but it really is more intuitive then people realize. If you just want to get started with off camera why not use a pc sync cord to 580ex and trigger the other. This will keep you under 200 dollars. Cords can be a hassle but when you're learning something you dont always have to have the best stuff right away. Having cables is good for backup reasons anyways.

wizard2340 wrote in post #12026359
Can you explain this

"all the non zooming talk"

I have an LP160, it is a very powerful flash and it has been a very useful tool. The optical slave on it is very sensitive and I have not had a problem with it going off even when using it for back fill behind an object. The LP160 has a zoom function and come with a diffuser for the widest setting. I have even used it on my hotshoe of the 40d and xt with no problems (not that there should be). Some people are scared of manual flashes(which is seems you arent) but it really is more intuitive then people realize. If you just want to get started with off camera why not use a pc sync cord to 580ex and trigger the other. This will keep you under 200 dollars. Cords can be a hassle but when you're learning something you dont always have to have the best stuff right away. Having cables is good for backup reasons anyways.

I meant zoom failure issues that I read from here
https://photography-on-the.net …t=878219&highli​ght=YN-560

I considered PC sync cord, but I really want something longer range and more versatile. I have a 3' TTL cord though.

wizard2340 wrote in post #12026359
Can you explain this

"all the non zooming talk"

I have an LP160, it is a very powerful flash and it has been a very useful tool. The optical slave on it is very sensitive and I have not had a problem with it going off even when using it for back fill behind an object. The LP160 has a zoom function and come with a diffuser for the widest setting. I have even used it on my hotshoe of the 40d and xt with no problems (not that there should be). Some people are scared of manual flashes(which is seems you arent) but it really is more intuitive then people realize. If you just want to get started with off camera why not use a pc sync cord to 580ex and trigger the other. This will keep you under 200 dollars. Cords can be a hassle but when you're learning something you dont always have to have the best stuff right away. Having cables is good for backup reasons anyways.

I meant to pick optical slave or radio slave capability for now and pick up the other later.

I would recommend not getting a flash right away. I would buy the cactus v5's and use the 580EXII off camera. Start with one light learn learn learn on different methods of one light. Then buy a second flash and learn methods with it..

My main walk working setup is a Cactus v5 with a Canon 20d and a 580EXII.... I have a LP160, a Vivitar DF400MZ and a Nikon SB-24 also... I am in love with my LP160 its a tank.. The LP160 basically matches the 580EXII in power.. so does the SB-24..