More important...Softbox, or light meter?

My main focus is children, and I'm working on building up a small at home studio while on a budget. As far as the studio goes, right now I have 1 B400, an umbrella, a large reflector, and backdrop equiptment.
What should be next on my list, a light meter, or a Softliter II( or any other type of softbox)? I would love to hear I could go w/out the light meter, cause they're kinda pricey, but I'm having trouble with my exposure using the light.
PLease help me decide!!!

I'm not as experienced as most on here and aim to do what I believe you want to do. My guess would be a softliter though (softbox). I think you could get away w/out a light meter for now.
I'd like to hear what everyone else has to say though.

You can always make do without a flash meter by using your histogram. But it's not that eazy to get soft diffused and controlled lighting without some type of diffuser attached to the strobes. My vote is to go with the softbox (or even an umbrella or brolley box, both of which are cheaper than the softbox) first.

I'd go with a meter.

What's wrong with white umbrellas for babies?

Now that you've asked and I've reread the original post (I missed the part where she stated that she already has an umbrella), I'm going to agree with you and vote for the meter instead.

My umbrella is actually silver. It's kinda harsh on the babies, IMO. I am leaning towards the meter though. Any more advice out there?

**luvmygirlz** wrote:
My umbrella is actually silver. It's kinda harsh on the babies, IMO. I am leaning towards the meter though. Any more advice out there?

How about a meter and a white umbrella that can also serve as a shoot-through (meaning the umbrellas got a removeable black backing)?

PacAce, what would be the main benefit of a softbox over a shoot-through umbrella? I am getting ready to get my first light and am curious if I could use the umbrella as a diffuser for still life and portraits and still have pretty good control over the light or if I should just bite the bullet and get a softbox? Also curious if I could shoot through an umbrella with the 580 when I travel?

I lean for the softbox, but only because you are talking about a fixed studio versus a portable studio or on location. In a fixed location all you need to do is keep adjusting your light and check in the histogram and computer until you are happy with it.

On location you probably need a light meter more.

As to the difference between softbox and umbrella see link (it is there somewhere)
http://www.photography​-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=113639

thanks longwatcher! that link answered most of my questions. I am guessing the 580 would work shooting through an umbrella, but also run out of batteries at a rapid rate

get the meter. umbrellas will do fine for now.I love my meter.

meter ... i almost feel this is a silly question...