New To LIghting, Buying Bees, Not Sure If I Have This Right.

VAGABOND... my bad! Haha

Alright, narrowed it down a little, this is what I'm looking at doing...

B800 Black Studio Flash
The Vagabond™ II Portable Power System
= $625.00 Shipped

Yongnuo 2.4GHz Wireless Flash Trigger/Receiver and Shutter Remote
http://www.amazon.com …ver-Shutter/dp/B0042TYNJ4
= $40.00

Westcott 750 Photo Basics 7.0-Foot Light Stand
http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1300998​055&sr=1-1
= $30.00

Cowboystudio 33" Photography Studio Translucent Shoot Through White Umbrella
http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1300998​126&sr=1-2
= $20.00

Looking at a grand total of about... $715.00?

GCODE wrote in post #12085061
VAGABOND... my bad! Haha

Alright, narrowed it down a little, this is what I'm looking at doing...

B800 Black Studio Flash
The Vagabond™ II Portable Power System
= $625.00 Shipped

Yongnuo 2.4GHz Wireless Flash Trigger/Receiver and Shutter Remote
http://www.amazon.com …ver-Shutter/dp/B0042TYNJ4
= $40.00

Westcott 750 Photo Basics 7.0-Foot Light Stand
http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1300998​055&sr=1-1
= $30.00

Cowboystudio 33" Photography Studio Translucent Shoot Through White Umbrella
http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1300998​126&sr=1-2
= $20.00

Looking at a grand total of about... $715.00?

Personally, I think you were better off with your original plan.

Not a fan of the "cheap" triggers. They may work but if you can afford something quality(Cybersyncs, Pocket Wizards, Skyports, etc), buy something quality. Do it right and buy it once.

Same goes for the cowboystudio stuff... lots of negativity on this and other boards about their products.

The only thing I would change is the umbrella. photoflex is inexpensive but a better brand, and I would look for one in the 40is range if not even larger.

Nice, alright, also, I could go direct everything from alien bees from that first package... something like this...

B800 Black Studio Flash
CyberSync Battery Powered Trigger Receiver
CyberSync Trigger Transmitter
13-foot Heavy Duty Stand
48-inch Shoot-Thru Umbrella
= $556.45 Shipped

Add another $300 + Shipping for a vagabond. Looking at $900 again shipped... so, basically just replacing the second light for a power source, again, just using the on board flash to just learn to start.

Of all the options, what do you guys think?

THANKS AGAIN!

GCODE wrote in post #12085149
Nice, alright, also, I could go direct everything from alien bees from that first package... something like this...

B800 Black Studio Flash
CyberSync Battery Powered Trigger Receiver
CyberSync Trigger Transmitter
13-foot Heavy Duty Stand
48-inch Shoot-Thru Umbrella
= $556.45 Shipped

Add another $300 + Shipping for a vagabond. Looking at $900 again shipped... so, basically just replacing the second light for a power source, again, just using the on board flash to just learn to start.

Of all the options, what do you guys think?

THANKS AGAIN!

If you only need one light, I would say that's probably your best option so far. Though, since you said you will be doing mostly outdoor work, I would toss around the idea of a 1600 instead of an 800. Or, start with the 800(which is a good starting point either way) and add a 1600 eventually.

Extra $80 for the 1600, I might as well, oh, and...

Is the need for the triggers is obsolete if I wanted to use my camera's flash as well?

GCODE wrote in post #12085228
Extra $80 for the 1600, I might as well, oh, and...

Is the need for the triggers is obsolete if I wanted to use my camera's flash as well?

You really dont want to use your camera's flash as a trigger. It means having light where you dont want it, and bad light to boot.

Oh and it wont work anyway as your on board flash is ettl only so it fires a preflash that would set off the optical slave prematurely.

FYI - it's important to remember that when shooting outside, you SHOULD have a separate trigger unit attached to each strobe. Don't assume that just because you're using a unit with an optical slave sensor, it's going to work outside because in daylight, depending on how far you have the units separated, you'll get spotty results at best.

Before upgrading to Plus II's, I used the RF-602 triggers to fire my AB800s and AB1600s, EX580EXIIs, in my studio and outdoors with no problems.

And if I got this flash,

http://www.amazon.com …ics&qid=1300936​992&sr=1-1

No different? Or just not worth it either?

GCODE wrote in post #12085290
And if I got this flash,

http://www.amazon.com …ics&qid=1300936​992&sr=1-1

No different? Or just not worth it either?

For that price you are back to the cost of triggers. Assuming your goal was to use this to trigger the slave. Once again, a poor solution to fire a camera mounted flash when the entire goal is to get your flash away from the camera.

Alright, well then, I think I am almost there...

B1600 Black Studio Flash
CyberSync Battery Powered Trigger Receiver
CyberSync Trigger Transmitter
13-foot Heavy Duty Stand
48-inch Shoot-Thru Umbrella

My LAST... hopefully... question, where else can I get the Vagabond if I wanted to get it around the same time as everything else? I don't think they have them in stock at the regular website.

GCODE wrote in post #12085358
Alright, well then, I think I am almost there...

B1600 Black Studio Flash
CyberSync Battery Powered Trigger Receiver
CyberSync Trigger Transmitter
13-foot Heavy Duty Stand
48-inch Shoot-Thru Umbrella

My LAST... hopefully... question, where else can I get the Vagabond if I wanted to get it around the same time as everything else? I don't think they have them in stock at the regular website.

The only place to purchase one new is PCB. Because of the introduction of the mini you might be able to surf the buy sell forum here to find someone looking to sell their VII.

Damnit... one last question...

I am going to get the setup that I mentioned above, I am just wondering what would be the better idea for when I do go ahead and grab another light.

Like I said before, I am considering grabbing a B800 for the second light, or another B1600... could I also grab a 430EXII to set up instead? And would the CyberSync triggers work for that too?

GCODE wrote in post #12085707
Damnit... one last question...

I am going to get the setup that I mentioned above, I am just wondering what would be the better idea for when I do go ahead and grab another light.

Like I said before, I am considering grabbing a B800 for the second light, or another B1600... could I also grab a 430EXII to set up instead? And would the CyberSync triggers work for that too?

If you're just starting out with off camera lighting, start with one light. No sense in making your life miserable trying to figure out lighting ratios and all sorts of other fun stuff when you just need to get a grasp of the basics.

I meant for later on, after working with the one B1600 for awhile, for instance, I'll probably pick that up as soon as I can get a Vagabond, so, hopefully by May (ish) then I will have all summer to work with the one light, and then pick up another in Aug/Sept. Would a canon flash be a good option as well instead of another bee?