Is this the best way to spend $600?

Merry Christmas all, I'm currently a portrait shooter looking to take my pictures to the next level, I mainly shoot out doors so I've been looking for something portable to carry around with me. I've read on both Speedlights and strobes and decided for portability speedlights and a few umbrellas was probably my best bet.

I've decided to grab the Neewer tt850 flash set, I've seen this sell a bit cheaper second hand, but really just want to buy them new and have that peace of mind.

3 Neewer flashes, 3 triggers, 3 Manfrotto Swivel Adapters and a light stand (i already have 2) will run me close to $600. Is this the best kit possible for the money you think?

Currently I have one flashpoint umbrella, http://www.adorama.com​/LTU64S.html?discontin​ued=t

Is this umbrella adequate enough? Would anyone recommend one for me?

If your shooting static poses then I would look at a non ETTL bare bulb flash like the Chetah CL-180 or CL-360 (these are rebranded Godox, but Chetah does an awesome job of support).
Read through this thread, it may take a while, but it's worth it.
https://photography-on-the.net …read.php?t=1270​039&page=1

Get a cheap speedlight for a kicker.

I would go with this http://www.cheetahstan​d.com …ProductCode=CL-360P-COMBO

Power of 3-4 speedlights and one battery vs 12 to charge. The battery can also power a canon or nikon speedlight at the same time as it powers the 360.

windpig wrote in post #17350182
If your shooting static poses then I would look at a non ETTL bare bulb flash like the Chetah CL-180 or CL-360 (these are rebranded Godox, but Chetah does an awesome job of support).
Read through this thread, it may take a while, but it's worth it.
https://photography-on-the.net …read.php?t=1270​039&page=1

Get a cheap speedlight for a kicker.

How would this benefit me vs having a 3 light look, i understand its more powerful, but wouldn't I need more than a one light setup?

You can do a lot with a single light outdoors. Generally you dont need a backgound light as you can use the sun for rim. By balancing the flash with the ambient you can do without a fill light in many circumstances. Unless you mainly plan to shoot at the golden hour you want as much power as you can get.

This. Also, less is better when having to carry and move stuff. Oh, and another thing, a bare bulb flash is much nicer than a speed light because it gives you more modifier options like reflectors.

TT850 Good choice, small compact and portable
I would have went with 3 Godox/Cheetahstand Pro S brackets besides the 3 Manfrotto Swivel Adapters.

I went with the Godox 860's. Two of them. Really like the Lithium-Ion batteries. I remote with 622C's and a 622TX. Still WAY to new to offer any sort of expertise. But I did buy a package of cold shoes so I could DIY a couple of the strobes together on a single stand if I needed more light outdoors. I would like to hear other's coments about if that strategy is a good one, or an error in my thinking. I worry I may just have twice as much weak light, not twice the brightness.

golfecho wrote in post #17355905
I went with the Godox 860's. Two of them. Really like the Lithium-Ion batteries. I remote with 622C's and a 622TX. Still WAY to new to offer any sort of expertise. But I did buy a package of cold shoes so I could DIY a couple of the strobes together on a single stand if I needed more light outdoors. I would like to hear other's coments about if that strategy is a good one, or an error in my thinking. I worry I may just have twice as much weak light, not twice the brightness.

You will have twice the light, but how you modify the light might be an issue. That is, if you plan to modify it. Personally I think (just from research, not direct experience) the best way to do so is with indirect, reflecting, deep umbrellas. It avoids the problem of cramming two flash heads in the back of a softbox.

I agree. Unless you are using one of those soft boxed that are 12 X 20 or so and designed to accomodate two flashes, the large umbrella seems the way to go. I am more wondering if two 860s help in overcoming the sun like a single Ailen Bees strobe would. I suspect not, since the guide number is lower? Just trying to understand all these varriables.

What is the GN on the 860?

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #17355939
What is the GN on the 860?

58. I think the Canon 600 is 60, but I'm pretty sure the YN's are mostly 58 also.

golfecho wrote in post #17355905
I went with the Godox 860's. Two of them. Really like the Lithium-Ion batteries. I remote with 622C's and a 622TX. Still WAY to new to offer any sort of expertise. But I did buy a package of cold shoes so I could DIY a couple of the strobes together on a single stand if I needed more light outdoors. I would like to hear other's coments about if that strategy is a good one, or an error in my thinking. I worry I may just have twice as much weak light, not twice the brightness.

Are you able to remotely control the power on the 860's with the 622TX?

cdomaloan wrote in post #17355994
Are you able to remotely control the power on the 860's with the 622TX?

Yes. Full power control in manual, ETTL in auto, HSS, Second curtain, multiple. (Disclaimer: I have little experience in any of these areas other than the manual and TTL). Each group I can adjust + or - up to 3 stops on the group EFC, plus overall EFC. What I like about the 622C and TX combo is that I can add studio lights at any time and cable fire them from a 622C if I decide to go that route. The TX can fire as many 622C's as you want to add to your set-up, and the 622C is such a common solution out there, that I dare say is is almost a standard.

PS - Sorry If we wandered a bit off subject . . . didn't intend to hijack the thread . . .

golfecho wrote in post #17356015
PS - Sorry If we wandered a bit off subject . . . didn't intend to hijack the thread . . .

well, you are at least on topic, and it can become one of those "move your feet, lose your seat" things.

two speedlights double the light of one, and 4 double the light of two. Once you think you need more than two, there are much better options available. Some might say that more than one speedlight requires something else, i'm kind of somewhere in between. If the 860 are your first speedlights you will probably keep them for a long time. Even as you expand into more powerful lights you can keep them for background or hair lights.

For now, find an efficient reflecting umbrella and see if they meet your needs. Even if you are very close to your subject, you probably won't be over powering the sun (you can definitely balance the light) but if nothing else you will learn what they are capable of and have a basis for making your next purchase.