Simple home studio setup for my speedlight

I'm thinking about putting all of the below items together to set up a very basic starter home studio setup. I have a single 430ex II that I'll be using but am hesitating spending any more money on another speedlight when I know I want to upgrade to strobes in the near future once I get the hang of this. Here's what I've put together so far...

Cheetah QBox 24 for the speedlight
http://www.cheetahstan​d.com …38/Cheetah-Qbox-24/Detail

10' Light Stand for QBox
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ushioned_Light_​Stand.html

Muslin Background Kit (Ravelli)
http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1325192​810&sr=8-7

Any input on the items I have, whether they will work well or poorly together, whether better options exist at this price point, and how compatible they might or might not be with the future strobe (probably just a simple AB800), and any other items I might need would be very much appreciated.

Im actually doing the same thing right now but with a 580exII i bought a manfrotto stand and umbrella adapter and i actually bought a brolly BROLLY AMAZON and some cheap wireless triggers..

I have received everything except the brolly which comes tomorrow but everything should work good as well as yours.

I've got a 7d so I'm hoping to use the built-in wireless function for the time being. If not, I may pick up some cheap triggers.

Fligi7 wrote in post #13616456
I'm thinking about putting all of the below items together to set up a very basic starter home studio setup. I have a single 430ex II that I'll be using but am hesitating spending any more money on another speedlight when I know I want to upgrade to strobes in the near future once I get the hang of this. Here's what I've put together so far...

Cheetah QBox 24 for the speedlight
http://www.cheetahstan​d.com …38/Cheetah-Qbox-24/Detail

10' Light Stand for QBox
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ushioned_Light_​Stand.html

Muslin Background Kit (Ravelli)
http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1325192​810&sr=8-7

Any input on the items I have, whether they will work well or poorly together, whether better options exist at this price point, and how compatible they might or might not be with the future strobe (probably just a simple AB800), and any other items I might need would be very much appreciated.

I would add the Photek Softlighter II (or similar modifier) in addition to, or instead of, the Qbox-24. It provides a larger light source (for shooting more than just head shots) and is a little more versatile as it can be used as a brollybox, a reflector umbrella or a shoot-through umbrella. It can be used with hotshot flashes and with strobes.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …rella_Softlight​er_II.html

I use a 60d and the wireless with the builtin flash does work good but only on ettl so you cant control the light really to control it on manual you need some triggers these are the ones i bought and they are great for the price check them out Triggers

PacAce wrote in post #13616626
I would add the Photek Softlighter II (or similar modifier) in addition to, or instead of, the Qbox-24. It provides a larger light source (for shooting more than just head shots) and is a little more versatile as it can be used as a brollybox, a reflector umbrella or a shoot-through umbrella. It can be used with hotshot flashes and with strobes.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …rella_Softlight​er_II.html

That looks very nice. Thanks for that addition! However, I'm not sure what adapter I'd need to set it up on a light stand (this is one area where I'm currently struggling and I know it's rather simple).

As an aside, is there an optimal thread size for light stands?

mo5751 wrote in post #13616627
I use a 60d and the wireless with the builtin flash does work good but only on ettl so you cant control the light really to control it on manual you need some triggers these are the ones i bought and they are great for the price check them out Triggers

Good point. I don't plan on using ETTL much. I like the manual control.

mo5751 wrote in post #13616627
I use a 60d and the wireless with the builtin flash does work good but only on ettl so you cant control the light really to control it on manual you need some triggers these are the ones i bought and they are great for the price check them out Triggers

You need to review your manual again, or maybe for the first time. Specifically page 147. This tells you how to set the function to manual in the camera menu and control the flash power that way.

Fligi7 wrote in post #13616662
That looks very nice. Thanks for that addition! However, I'm not sure what adapter I'd need to set it up on a light stand (this is one area where I'm currently struggling and I know it's rather simple).

As an aside, is there an optimal thread size for light stands?

If you are using (or going to be using) a stand with your hotshot flash, then you might already have (or will have) an umbrella bracket to mount the flash on to. If not, that's what you'll need (examples shown in link below).

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ket&N=0&Initial​Search=yes

mo5751 wrote in post #13616627
I use a 60d and the wireless with the builtin flash does work good but only on ettl so you cant control the light really to control it on manual you need some triggers these are the ones i bought and they are great for the price check them out Triggers

I am not sure I understand the statement 'you can't control the light really'... You can set a manual exposure and choose the output power just as well at least for two OCF. I understand that you can't bury the sensor inside a softbox, but you wouldn't bury it in ETTL either. Am I missing something?

I just got an umbrella and a reflector and have been learning the capabilities of the ETTL, but I expect soon to try the Manual setting.

dedsen wrote in post #13616690
You need to review your manual again, or maybe for the first time. Specifically page 147. This tells you how to set the function to manual in the camera menu and control the flash power that way.

Oh ok i see that my mistake and thanks.

PacAce wrote in post #13616697
If you are using (or going to be using) a stand with your hotshot flash, then you might already have (or will have) an umbrella bracket to mount the flash on to. If not, that's what you'll need (examples shown in link below).

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ket&N=0&Initial​Search=yes

Ok, I figured it was something as simple as that. Thanks for that.

PacAce wrote in post #13616626
I would add the Photek Softlighter II (or similar modifier) in addition to, or instead of, the Qbox-24. It provides a larger light source (for shooting more than just head shots) and is a little more versatile as it can be used as a brollybox, a reflector umbrella or a shoot-through umbrella. It can be used with hotshot flashes and with strobes.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …rella_Softlight​er_II.html

Just got around to reading some of the reviews on this on Adorama and one person using this with their 430ex says that you can't really take advantage of the diffuser because the head of the flash is too far from the center shaft.

I have used some cheap CBS triggers for a while now, work like a charm!

I have the Ravelli background kit. The stands and cross bar aren't bad. I'm sure you can get better stands, but for the price I think they're ok. The stands are air cushioned which is nice. I expect the kit to hold up well so long as I don't beat on it. The bag is nice. The stands can also be used as light stands if you aren't using the back drop.

The muslins are thin. I have a window with plantation shutters behind where I setup the background. I usually have to tape a piece of cardboard over the window to fully cut the light. If i'm lighting the white I don't have that problem. The muslins are also very creased from being folded up so tight. After ironing them twice they aren't too bad. The black bags they come in are worthless since you'll never get them back in once unfolded.

I'm using it with alien bees. I just picked up a couple rolls of 9' wide savage seamless paper from B&H. I haven't had a chance to use them yet but I feel confidant that these stands will work fine. I also picked up sand bags which should help.