Accessories for a new 580EXII user

So I just recently traded up from a 430EXII to a 580EXII and am hunting for accessories. I really want to get a nice stand and umbrella for it but with all the options available I'm just not sure what to get. I'm also considering a diffuser, but again am not sure which brands are best to use. I'm looking to pick these up on Amazon.com as I have several hundred dollars in gift cards that need to be used. Thanks in advance for the recommendations!

An on-flash diffuser is going to be a waste. Save your money.

You only need to spend ~$30 on a stand and an umbrella.

Why not buy several packs of decent rechargeable batteries and a charger? Amazon have lots of good ones, like the Eneloops.

Why is the on-flash diffuser a waste? I always thought they worked great for taking portraits.

Can you link some recommendations on a good stand/umbrella from Amazon?

Anke wrote in post #13125022
Amazon have lots of good ones, like the Eneloops.

I see these recommended a lot here.

If you're really itching to spend a lot of cash on "accessories," there's always the ETTL PocketWizards .

Anke wrote in post #13125022
Why not buy several packs of decent rechargeable batteries and a charger? Amazon have lots of good ones, like the Eneloops.

Those are on my wish list for this week actually. Spending $10 or more a week for AA batteries is going to get me in trouble with the spouse.

Ten Ounce wrote in post #13125029
Why is the on-flash diffuser a waste? I always thought they worked great for taking portraits.

It doesn't really do anything. A rubber band and a two-cent notecard will generally give better results.

Ten Ounce wrote in post #13125029
Can you link some recommendations on a good stand/umbrella from Amazon?

"Impact" is the B&H in-house brand, though you might not be able to find it through Amazon. Amazon isn't really the place for specialty photo gear...

Yes on the note card being better.

Pretty much any decent stand will work for speedlites. If you're going to be using a lot of modifiers then you might want to invest in a heavier duty manfrotto or impact brand stand and some sandbags/weights to stabilize it all. Diffusers are of very limited use, just buy a cheap one from eBay if you really want one. No simple piece of plastic is worth $30-50.
I would recommend reading "the speedliters handbook" by syl arena. It will get you up to speed on just about everything you can do with a speedlite, and there are specific chapters on modifiers.

Impact stands are good (need more weight at the bottom) but not so much the umbrella/flash hotshoe adapter. I would spend the extra ~$10 on a Manfrotto adapter.

In terms of a softbox, I really like the Lumiquest Softbox 3, but it's rather big and it will get in the way of the flash signals if using the master/slave function.

TheBurningCrown wrote in post #13124995
An on-flash diffuser is going to be a waste. Save your money.

You only need to spend ~$30 on a stand and an umbrella.

While i agree that on-flash diffusers tend to be of minimal use, they do have their place, and there are some decent ones out-there, my favorite one was a flexgrid or something? basically a giant flexible, white reflective, strap on the flash. I've used similar set-ups for run&guns with great success.

Oh, right back to my original point, I dislike when people ignore facts to slant things, 30$ isn't nowhere near close enough for a "stand and an umbrella"... Why? Because most remotely decent umbrellas are at least 20$, another 30$ for a ****ty stand, another 20$ for an umbrella swivel, another 60$ for a set of wireless triggers +15$ for AAA rechargeables with charger for the TX/RX, and you're a bit off the "30$" mark ain't ya? You're looking more at about what, 140$?

I do recommend this approach, just don't slap a ridiculously low price on it. And even though i have stands and umbrellas, and softboxes, hell i have an entire studio kit, i still keep a flash diffuser with me for when i need it, just not the ****ty box plastic one.

Eneloop batteries are king! I have been through 2 shoots with a single pair (200+ shots, more than half of them at full power on a 430exii) and they are still good to go.
I dont know where you intend to use an umbrella but i cant recommend one for outdoors. I tried it on a windy day and never again. Try a softbox or beauty dish instead.
As for light stands, i am using the cheapest possible stand i could find and its more than enough for a speedlight. But make sure you invest in a good holder to attach your speedlight between the umbrella and stand. I bought a cheapie and the plastic threads stripped off on the first shoot i had. Speedlight darn near fell off.

Csae wrote in post #13125226
Oh, right back to my original point, I dislike when people ignore facts to slant things, 30$ isn't nowhere near close enough for a "stand and an umbrella"

Stand:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …6B_Light_Stand_​Black.html
Umbrella:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …30_30_White_Umb​rella.html

Price? $30. Well, $29.98. Sorry for slanting the facts on the two cents.

If you want to throw a bracket into the mix, it's only another $17.99
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …117_Umbrella_Br​acket.html

That's probably what the ~ was for.

"Stand and Umbrella" doesn't include a swivel, wireless triggers, rechargeable batteries, and the like .

TheBurningCrown wrote in post #13125570
"Stand and Umbrella" doesn't include a swivel, wireless triggers, rechargeable batteries, and the like .

Which you are going to need. Right?

Also a 10$ umbrella is asking for trouble, i'm sorry but it is.

Thanks for all the great information. I'm not so much worried about being locked to a certain price for these items. I just want to make sure I get some good quality stuff that will last awhile. If $30 gets me there then I'm all for it. If I have to drop twice that or more to get something good that's fine too.

So these stands don't have the hotshoe mount for the flash, that's sold separately right? Also, what softboxes/beauty dishes should I be looking at? I will do some stuff outdoors so I'll probably get a combination of these items for different applications (indoor/outdoor). Thanks again everyone, this has been super helpful.