Hobbyist needs help on a cheap home studio set up

As a landscape/travel photography enthusiast, I am completely ignorant about studio photography and am thinking of dabbling in it as a HOBBY. I am blessed to have 3 cute dogs that I'd like to take photos of in a home studio.
http://www.flickr.com/​photos/9054195@N02/
I would like to set it up as cheaply as possible. These are small dogs, if that is relevant. I won’t be using the studio commercially, so I want to do it on the cheap. I just want to explore my photographic hobby as well as use my cute ‘models’. If I get good results I may use my studio to photograph the dogs of my many dog park friends.
I have a 30D, 24-70 L, EF 10-22, 70-200 f4 L, 50 mm f1.8, 430EX Speedlight, Benbo tripod, remote shutter and even a 28" soft box.
I just need suggestions & help on setting up a home studio on the cheap. I can buy a Speedlight 580EX so I could always use my 430EX remotely and as a slave. Are the Canon flashes sufficient for my use (with some kind of fabric used as a diffuser?). Or must I buy studio flood lights? strobes? I have sufficient space – a spare room in my house, even a backyard. Any ideas on what I need to buy as well as where – any cheap brands/vendors on eBay? I would like to do this cheaply as possible as I won’t be making money from these photos. I want to get acceptable quality photos but not necessarily commercial studio quality. I am hoping there is cheap studio equipment and that what separates the cheap stuff from the expensive stuff is the ergonomics/ease of use.
As always, I thank all replies in advance!

you could get some nice pictures using a 430ex off camera diffused in your softbox as a main light and the 580ex on camera for fill but that would require buying a 580 ex and you can get a decent 2 light studio kit for that price. The strobes you get for that price wont be all that powerfull but it is more than enough for a home studio setup like you want.
The nice thing about going to speedlight strobist route is the portability of the strobes.

Thanks. I am not too sure if portability is all that important as I don't envision taking this getup on the road or outside of the house.....but then again once upon a time I never envisioned wanting more than 1 lens or a tripod or remote switch ect.

a_kraker99 wrote in post #5537372
you could get some nice pictures using a 430ex off camera diffused in your softbox

I guess I should state that I didn't buy the softbox with the intention of photographing the dogs in it. I doubt it would remain white or standing for very long.
The softbox will only be used for some product photography as my wife has lots of things she may be selling on eBay shortly.

how much are you planning to spend?

Zansho wrote in post #5538363
how much are you planning to spend?

up to $600

a_kraker99 wrote in post #5537372
you could get some nice pictures using a 430ex off camera diffused in your softbox as a main light and the 580ex on camera for fill but that would require buying a 580 ex and you can get a decent 2 light studio kit for that price. The strobes you get for that price wont be all that powerfull but it is more than enough for a home studio setup like you want.
The nice thing about going to speedlight strobist route is the portability of the strobes.

is 150 watts under-powered?

http://web1.adorama.co​m …ce=t&sid=121099​0708374285

The kit above is on sale...is this a reputable brand? Any downside to this kit?

from the link:
"This kit is going to take home-studio lighting by storm. it offers a two full head solution and a range of extras." is this Interfit sales propaganda or Adorama opinion/hype?

or is this kit better?
Calumet Genesis 200
http://www.calumetphot​o.com/item/CF0502K1/

I just tested the Calumet Genesis 200's and they are excellent... worth every penny and as consistent as strobes costing 5 times as much. They are great strobes and with some knowledge will produce outstanding images. You might consider getting an inexpensive light meter to make your life a little easier. The advantage of the light meter is it takes the guess work out of the equation and no more chimping (I hate that word, lol). Something like a Sekonic L-308S would do the job nicely. You may also want to buy or make some reflectors. White foam core is a simple and great way to reflect nice soft light back on to your subject. You can also get many collapsible reflectors from ebay and many retailers for a very good price.

2 powered strobes and a reflector gives you enough to do some very nice work.

TMR Design wrote in post #5548456
You might consider getting an inexpensive light meter to make your life a little easier. Something like a Sekonic L-308S would do the job nicely.

I own a Sekonic Studio Deluxe II - is this worth dusting off?

One question about the Calumet Genesis 200 2 light kit. Is one restricted to the Elinchrom speedring and thus Elinchrom accessories? Or can one attach another brand's speedring and therefore their softboxes?

I'd really like to have a softbox, which is why I am also considering this cheapie kit for $225
http://web1.adorama.co​m/... ...AINT120.html?emailp​rice=t&sid=12109907083​74285

Is the Interfit a good introduction to studio lighting or will it be found wanting very quickly?
Is it better to have 2 umbrellas like the Calumet starter kit, or is one brelly and one softbox, like the Interfit kit, better and more versatile?

I will be doing mainly product shots and dog portraits - maybe single person portraits. All as a hobby.

get a couple quantum t2 on ebay

so I really want opinions on these 2 kits

http://web1.adorama.co​m …ce=t&sid=121099​0708374285

The kit above is on sale...is this a reputable brand? Any downside to this kit? is 150 watts under-powered?

OR

is this kit better?
Calumet Genesis 200
http://www.calumetphot​o.com/item/CF0502K1/
With the Calumet Genesis 200 is one restricted to the Elinchrom speedring and thus Elinchrom accessories? Or can one attach another brand's speedring and therefore their softboxes?

Finally, is it better to have 2 umbrellas like the Calumet starter kit, or is one brelly and one softbox, like the Interfit kit, better and more versatile?

I will be doing mainly product shots and dog portraits - maybe single person portraits. All as a hobby.

Thanks everyone!

Ive decided to go with the Calumet Genesis 200 kit. I suspect it is worth the extra expense over the Interfit kit.
Any advice on a decent softbox to go with the kit?
It looks like my Sekonic Studio Deluxe II light meter will not be up to the task.
Also what is the best way to trigger the strobes wirelessly? I own a 430Ex if that is of any importance.

You might want to look into some cheap wireless triggers. Look up eBay triggers or Cactus V2s. Of course there are Pocket Wizards and Elinchrom Skyport triggers as well, but I that's gonna be above your budget unless the $600 was just for lights. Otherwise you can use a sync cord from your camera to the lights. Flashzebra is a great site to find cords and other accessories for triggering off camera flashes.

Look here for comments on the Calumet lights as well.

OK - so how do those little ebay recievers connect to the strobe? I have a pair for my hotshoe flash, but I don't imagine it would connect the same way with a monolight.

Stefan