Impact strobe question

Jon, I didn't go crazy. I just ordered white and blue background paper for my frame. Doing portraits of h.s. seniors in my morning class. There are 12 of them and they wanted some "glamour" shots. I thought I'd experiment with my studio lighting. During the day, I can get light into my FR so I just have to use a reflector or two. Should be interesting. At night, have to use the whole set up. I was thinking about ordering one of these and a 580EX next week. What do you think?

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ails&Q=&sku=402​652&is=REG

I have 2 small umbrellas and the slaves are minimal. Continuous lighting is tricky.

First thought is that you probably don't want that particular one - catch the fine print that it's a 220V/50 Hz version?

My experience with B&H is that studio stuff (backgrounds, light stands, etc.) took longer to even ship than straight camera gear (even when part of the same order).

I'm wondering if I order the 580 on Monday, experiment with the lighting I already have using the 550 as a slave would be a better investment. After reading all the information in the EOS Magazine about the way the 580 and the 20D work together, it would be worth it.

Good catch, Jon. I missed that too.

Thanks, you guys. I'm going to order my 580 this week.

I use a 550/580/420 (ST-E2) setup for a small portrait setup with umbrella, diffusers/reflectors as necessary and it works well as a portable setup. Thinking about using the old 283 as a colour light on the backdrop. The main thing you might find with the 550/580 is that the OC-S2 doesn't really let you get the flash too far off the camera. That's why I got the ST-E2.

I ordered the 580EX on Monday from B&H (this time I didn't wait until the end of the week) and I have a few small umbrellas and a large reflector and some white boards. I received my paper rolls from B&H yesterday and will be doing some shots of my high school seniors in a few weeks. I wanted to get some close up glamour shots of the girls. They are so beautiful and they've never had this done for them. They will all come in black dresses and other "fancy" clothes so we can do some fun shots also. I may take them to a playground nearby with a large row of swings and do a wide shot with all 7 of them. That will be very special. Their parents have all asked me to do the shoot so they can have something for when they graduate this June. If this works out, I may do this for real money.

I am considering getting the ST-E2 this summer. It's a good set up you have.