Cheap exterior single strobist setup - umbrella or softbox?

Hey all.
I have decided to go with a 580EX II flash unit and 110cm freflector to balance exterior natural light portraits.
Being short of coin, I want to buy a single strobist kit i.e. Stand, Hotshoe attachment and Umbrella OR Stand, hotshoe attachment and 40x40cm sotbox.
Still unsure as to which way to go as both kits are within $40-00 of each other, what do you guys consider the best bang for buck?
I will be shooting with 7D using 50mm f1.2, 85mm f1.8 and if the situation calls for it 70-200mm f4.
Thanks for any help here as really need the best setup I can get, I know the quality of the gear will be pretty crap but as long as it is something to get started with and to learn the craft of natural light portraits.

Would love to hear what others say. I have done both and not sure either way is bad. Today I would lean toward a Wescott Apollo but I am still learning so would wait to see what others say.

Why don't you let us know what your budget is, and which "kit" you're looking at? I'd be very surprised if we couldn't provide you with options that would allow you to get both a softbox and an umbrella, and still be cheaper than your kit.

What do you shoot that requires ETTL? It's a great feature to have, but if you're following strobist techniques they all use manual flash. A manual flash (no ETTL) can save you hundreds of dollars.

I am just starting also and prefer the softbox to allow easy feathering of the light. Then again, an umbrella is only about 15 dollars so....

Hi Arzuhl,
I just purchased a Cheetah Qbox 16, which is a 16"x16" softbox with all the mounting hardware. The only other thing you need is an inexpensive light stand. You can check-out the Qbox 16 and see a video at:

http://www.cheetahstan​d.com …box,-cheetah-qbox,/Detail

You would have to pay shipping to Australia, so that would raise the price somewhat.

Maybe it's just me, but I'd find a 40cm softbox next to useless. It's too small to do much of anything.

I'm not sure if I read it correctly in your title, but if you are planning to shoot outdoors (exterios strobist setup) then you should go the softbox route. Umbrellas are a huge PITA even in the slightest breeze. Softboxes still get knocked down in the wind, but not NEARLY as much as an umbrella.
I use the Qbox24 and it's very good for it's intended use.

You can go real cheap with the setup and get the impact stand @ B&H photo for $15 and the flash bracket for $15 and get the Qbox24 $110ish. I did that, but I want to upgrade my light stands to the calumet ones. They are really nice and don't cost as much as the manfrotto brands.

You can still trigger the flash remotely because you have the 7D that can do that, but radio triggers will be infinitely easier for you. The RF-602's are really good for the price.

Good luck!

toxic wrote in post #12083545
Maybe it's just me, but I'd find a 40cm softbox next to useless. It's too small to do much of anything.

It's good for head shots or even half body shots with some slight fall off. And in cramped quarters where a larger modifier won't fit. I shoot a number of portraits in autos and there's no way you're getting an umbrella in there or even a 24" softbox.

BrandonSi wrote in post #12075570
What do you shoot that requires ETTL? It's a great feature to have, but if you're following strobist techniques they all use manual flash.

"all"?

Get a shoot thru umbrella AND a cheap ebay softbox!

clarence wrote in post #12084193
"all"?

Was there a verb / subject, or are you just typing random words?

BrandonSi wrote in post #12084790
Was there a verb / subject, or are you just typing random words?

I was questioning your use of the word "all" when you stated "if you're following strobist techniques they all use manual flash."

clarence wrote in post #12085001
I was questioning your use of the word "all" when you stated "if you're following strobist techniques they all use manual flash."

Ahh.. Then to answer, the word "all" was used correctly.

someone in a simiar thread was asking about speedlite kits, and I pointed them to the following items. These are items I've purchased recently to get a "kit" together.

total of $255....less than the cost of a 430 EX II or 580 EX II.

http://www.amazon.com …ics&qid=1300936​992&sr=1-1 Yongnuo-560 Manual Flash $65

http://cgi.ebay.com …ts_JN&hash=item​35ad027edd Yonguo RF-602 wireless trigger set $60

http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1300936​847&sr=8-1 TWO 40" umbrella softboxes $30

http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1300936​878&sr=8-5 TWO light stands $40

http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1300936​890&sr=8-1 umbrella mount $30 X 2

not sure if you already have one flash or not...if not, add another $65 for a second 560 flash and your total is still roughly the cost of one 430 EX II flash.

PWard wrote in post #12085059
someone in a simiar thread was asking about speedlite kits, and I pointed them to the following items. These are items I've purchased recently to get a "kit" together.

total of $255....less than the cost of a 430 EX II or 580 EX II.

http://www.amazon.com …ics&qid=1300936​992&sr=1-1 Yongnuo-560 Manual Flash $65

http://cgi.ebay.com …ts_JN&hash=item​35ad027edd Yonguo RF-602 wireless trigger set $60

http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1300936​847&sr=8-1 TWO 40" umbrella softboxes $30

http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1300936​878&sr=8-5 TWO light stands $40

http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1300936​890&sr=8-1 umbrella mount $30 X 2

not sure if you already have one flash or not...if not, add another $65 for a second 560 flash and your total is still roughly the cost of one 430 EX II flash.

Nice list! I've got the two 40" brolly boxes, the YN-560's, and RF-602's.. I've been happy with them all!