Light stands, speedlite mounting, modifier suggestions?

I've got a Phottix Odin trigger set on the way, so I'll be doing some more off-camera speedliting soon. I used to have an assistant to be a human light stand for me holding a 580EX off camera, but with us having a couple kids now (my assistant was and is my wife ) the human light stand has more or less gone into retirement. So I need some suggestions for light stands and speedlite mounting options.

I already have some heavier air-cushioned stands for my White Lightning strobes, but I'd like something a little lighter for speedlites + modifier. Any suggestions here would be great.

On top of that I'll need a way to mount 2 speedlites to a single stand and still be able to accommodate an umbrella or softbox. What do I need to do that?

And lastly what umbrellas, softboxes or other modifiers would be appropriate for a 1 or 2 speedlite setup? I have a large-ish umbrella and softbox already for my WL strobes, but I'm guessing those aren't appropriate for speedlites due to their size.

Thanks for the recommendations and advice ahead of time.

Phottix has a 30" octal and a couple of soft boxes on their site that are similar to the Westcott Apollo.

The biggest disadvantage is the way they mount to a light stand.

I saw a great solution in this video http://vimeo.com/37784​714 where Syl Arena is testing new Canon 600EX-RTs.
The grip arms are not that expensive and work well to make a very adjustable option.

There are several options for mounting multiple speedlites but this is the one I like best cost and ease of use wise; http://photolover.diyp​hotography.net/double-flash-bracket/ I think they are also available from B&H.

Yohan Pamudji wrote in post #14113861
I've got a Phottix Odin trigger set on the way, so I'll be doing some more off-camera speedliting soon. I used to have an assistant to be a human light stand for me holding a 580EX off camera, but with us having a couple kids now (my assistant was and is my wife ) the human light stand has more or less gone into retirement. So I need some suggestions for light stands and speedlite mounting options.

I already have some heavier air-cushioned stands for my White Lightning strobes, but I'd like something a little lighter for speedlites + modifier. Any suggestions here would be great.

On top of that I'll need a way to mount 2 speedlites to a single stand and still be able to accommodate an umbrella or softbox. What do I need to do that?

And lastly what umbrellas, softboxes or other modifiers would be appropriate for a 1 or 2 speedlite setup? I have a large-ish umbrella and softbox already for my WL strobes, but I'm guessing those aren't appropriate for speedlites due to their size.

Thanks for the recommendations and advice ahead of time.

I actually just started using a 45" convertible umbrella and picked up a fairly modest priced stand that goes up to about 9-10 feet and the "head" holds one two or three flashes to fire into the umbrella. I use just one 580exii, but it certainly seems substantial enough to hold three.

http://www.amazon.com …=470938631&pf_r​d_i=507846

gonzogolf wrote in post #14113944
http://www.amazon.com …=470938631&pf_r​d_i=507846

Disadvantage, in my view, of all these kinds of mounts is that they get the light source too far away from the center of the modifier.

dmward wrote in post #14114013
Disadvantage, in my view, of all these kinds of mounts is that they get the light source too far away from the center of the modifier.

Hey man, met you on FM forums when we were talking about your flash sale. Hope that's going well for you.

Is it really that noticeable when the flashes are a little bit off axis? I don't have experience with that since the WL strobes I use have the hole for umbrella/modifier mounting right there on the strobe.

Logicus wrote in post #14113920
I actually just started using a 45" convertible umbrella and picked up a fairly modest priced stand that goes up to about 9-10 feet and the "head" holds one two or three flashes to fire into the umbrella. I use just one 580exii, but it certainly seems substantial enough to hold three.

Do you remember what brand umbrella, stand, and bracket you're using?

I make a bracket for this purpose which allows you to use regular softboxes as those are still the best quality and most sturdy -

http://ep-designs.com/

But the cheaper alternatives are the Apollo style umbrella softboxes and the Ezybox popup style softboxes. The Apollo style is the easiest to get a few flashes into but tilting can be an issue and you have to be a bit carefull not to break them as they are based on umbrellas.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …sible_Umbrella_​Flash.html

Good umbrella too, nice and solid core

I saw a thread a while ago and tetrode/daveF mentioned Mathews reverse stand.

I bought two of them and they are extremely stable and make my Manfrotto nano stand look like a little brother.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …486_Reverse_Sta​nd_7_.html

killer setup that even supports my 75" umbrella box w/ 580exii w/ pw flex.

elv wrote in post #14114876
I make a bracket for this purpose which allows you to use regular softboxes as those are still the best quality and most sturdy -

http://ep-designs.com/

But the cheaper alternatives are the Apollo style umbrella softboxes and the Ezybox popup style softboxes. The Apollo style is the easiest to get a few flashes into but tilting can be an issue and you have to be a bit carefull not to break them as they are based on umbrellas.

Looks really nice but I bit too much for just getting started. I don't know what I really need at this point, but maybe down the road as an upgrade.

seoul4korea wrote in post #14115880
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …sible_Umbrella_​Flash.html

Good umbrella too, nice and solid core

All-in-one kit! Reasonable price too. I might actually own that umbrella already though, not quite sure The only thing missing is a multiple flash mounting bracket. I hate to look a gift horse in the mouth, but how's the build quality of the stand?

AlanU wrote in post #14116200
I saw a thread a while ago and tetrode/daveF mentioned Mathews reverse stand.

I bought two of them and they are extremely stable and make my Manfrotto nano stand look like a little brother.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …486_Reverse_Sta​nd_7_.html

killer setup that even supports my 75" umbrella box w/ 580exii w/ pw flex.

I like that it collapses so small, which would certainly make things easy for a one man show. When you say it "supports" a 75" umbrella box does it support it without wobbling or does it feel like it might be at its limit? That's a pretty big modifier.

I don't know about the quality of the stand, I was going to order them when I was getting my kit but they where on back order at the time so I went with the impact stands (Which where pretty nice)

Here is the link to the stand itself:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ht_Black_Light_​Stand.html

They do have other kits with different size stands as well. I will say thought that I love the quality of the umbrella

Yohan,

spend your beans $$$$$

The Mathews stand has a very large foot print and the shaft is quite rigid for a small stand. My take is you buy your beefier stands for larger strobes/large modifiers and have super stable strobist type stands.

I just got a couple of Manfrotto stackers: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …AC_Alu_Air_Cush​ioned.html

They have several models in their lineup but I went for these because they had a wider leg spread then some others. Also, these are the stands they include with their background support kit so I could stack all 4 together for easy transport.

The biggest thing I've put on it so far is a 45" umbrella and Speedlite but my friend has an AB400 and parabolic reflector and it holds them fine.

mike_d wrote in post #14116664
I just got a couple of Manfrotto stackers: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …AC_Alu_Air_Cush​ioned.html

They have several models in their lineup but I went for these because they had a wider leg spread then some others. Also, these are the stands they include with their background support kit so I could stack all 4 together for easy transport.

The biggest thing I've put on it so far is a 45" umbrella and Speedlite but my friend has an AB400 and parabolic reflector and it holds them fine.

stackers are nice. The 1005bac kit i have will hold a 7 foot octadome w/ Einstein with no issues at all.

My mathews stand is the ultimate strobist lightstand for compact but large foot print.