A few off camera flash questions -- light stands, mounting hardware, etc.

I want to be absolutely sure that I'm getting the right thing here. I just purchased a wireless flash trigger and 2 receivers for use with hotshoe flashes. Now I'm looking at an ALZO Digital mini softbox for one of my flashes and an umbrella for the other.

From what I'm reading, I need something like this: Flash mount umbrella adapter and then 2 light stands (one for the umbrella/flash combo and the other for the mini softbox, which looks like it attaches directly to a light stand).

Is that correct? If I'm wrong, please point me in the right direction.

I'm still just seeing if I even want to mess with off camera flash, so I would like to find the most economical stands I can that will realistically support the equipment. Alzo has them for $45 and I've seen them for way more and for almost nothing. I don't know how low I can go without putting my gear at risk. Any ideas on that would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

UK? The e-bay link was for GBP and you're using $$ in your post. B&H carries cheap impact stands for about $20-$30 depending on the features. You'd need at least one umbrella adapter, maybe two but I don't know what type of softbox you bought or how it connects to the stand. The adapters come with a cold shoe on them though, so they're rather useful regardless. I have one I carry around in my photo bag to accomodate my clamps when I need to mount a flash.

Yes the ALZO mini will attach directly to a light stand but you will need an umbrella adapter for the tilt capabilities. By the way you will like the mini-softbox for it's portability and ease of putting together.

Cheers, Olar

OK, starting to feel like I'm getting this. Best thing to do would be to get 2 umbrella adapters, then? I'll definitely want to be able to tilt the softbox. Thanks for the info. I'll check out the impact stands, $30 sounds better than $45.

The link I used was just one I grabbed randomly. It ships worldwide, though.. so it wouldn't have mattered either way.

Do yourself a favour and pick up GOOD umbrella brackets, the Impact ones are cheap ($15), but will frustrate you to no end over time... the Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite) is 100x better, but only twice as expensive! You will need to get a cold shoe for it, too... (the Impact comes with one).

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …vel_Umbrella_Ad​apter.html

Rudi wrote in post #5753132
Do yourself a favour and pick up GOOD umbrella brackets, the Impact ones are cheap ($15), but will frustrate you to no end over time... the Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite) is 100x better, but only twice as expensive! You will need to get a cold shoe for it, too... (the Impact comes with one).

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …vel_Umbrella_Ad​apter.html

I've never had problems with the three Impact brackets I have.

Neither did I, for years.... then I bought the Manfrottos and realized that what I thought was normal frustration of working with them in the field was actually totally unnecessary. I really should have known better - all my Manfrotto lighting supports are always a step above the no-name brands... (I have both, so this is not an elitist comment, just an observation).