I've been out of the photoshoot game for a while, even though I have some decent gear that's been sealed up tight for the past few years. I sort of want to go with a portable system, but I guess having both isn't too bad.
I just bought the Aurora Firefly 20" softbox for my 430EX and I have the ST-E2 to fire that, good for location, and from what I've seen for fill light outdoors (with the sun as rim) as long as the ST-E2 works (seems to be ok in my testing).
I also have the following:
AB400
AB800
ABR800 Ring Flash with 30" moon unit
60" Softlighter II modifier
Vagabond (I keep the batteries charged so hopefully it's still in working order).
A cheap YN radio trigger (that always worked really well but may need new batteries and won't work with the 430ex).
I like the ring flash but I find it's a huge pain to assemble. I kind of find the whole strobe setup to be a lot to lug around and set up, which is why I'm really liking the Firefly.
Ideally I would like to get maybe a foldable softbox from AB, I've always wanted one since I can't grid the Softlighter, I also hear the lighting is nicer.
I was thinking a nice simple on location setup would be the Firefly on a boom (sort of like a beauty dish) in front (anybody seen any affordable boom arms?) and maybe use one or two AB's for rim or whatever. Are there any cheap triggers out there that will fire the 430EX and also work with the AB's (I know the AB's probably could just fire optically). The ST-E2 won't work because of the TTL preflash, but are there other triggers that might work that are cheap. I'm talking cheap right now a lot because money is a bit of an issue, and I'm still not 100% about how much I will be doing in the way of photoshoots.
I might be doing my first shoot June 3rd for some bodybuilders (the day after I have to shoot 12 hrs at the show), at a house. The owner has a pool table, and apparently a really nice, large bathroom that might make for some great shots. I'm just feeling a bit disorganized to say the least, but I guess I have to start (again) somewhere.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
