Beginner Portrait Strobe Setup: HELP

I just, pretty much, decided what I will be purchasing next. I originally thought, lenses, for sure! But after more thought, I decided on some strobes, so I can start doing decent portraits, make money, THEN buy lenses.

Anyway! I am going for an all strobe setup! I am not going to have a studio any time soon, so I want a simple strobe setup that I can take with me on location. (Few seniors are asking me to do their portraits this year, so I want to do good!)

Right now, my only tool of lighting is my 430EX. It works great, recycle time is fine for me!
I am looking into a used 580EX (I or II, (If you can, please tell me the main differences between Mk I and Mk II of the 580EX)), a 6' stand(This tall enough?), umbrella bracket, and a 32" white umbrella!
I just have a few questions:

-Umbrella or softbox?? Softboxes are much more expensive, but are they really that necessary?
-My 430EX will be on the tripod, slaved to a 580EX I or II... Should I buy cheap, eBay triggers so I can get the 580EX off camera as well, and buy another tripod\umbrella\bracke​t? If you suggest eBay triggers, then could I go for a new (maybe used) 430EX and save some money, and just use the triggers to fire both the flashes off camera?? (If you think I could do it, how about just one ebay trigger, and fire my current flash off camera and only use this setup for now.)
About the wireless triggers: I just noticed pocket wizards are only $190 for a set of 2... So if I go this route, I may just go with pocket wizards because I have read that the eBay triggers misfire occasionally, and what not... But if anyone can post a link to a GOOD cheap, eBay trigger dealer\auction, please do!


Sorry if this is confusing! But I really need some help, and I am fairly new to the realm of lighting.

I just picked up a set of the Cactus V2s' (the primary ebay choice for wireless triggers around here) and found they did fire rather randomly with my 430ex. I soldered on the antenna mod and now they're at about 80% successful fire rate with the 430ex.

I've heard you can pick up a cheap Vivitar as part of the strobist kit from http://www.mpex.com and they work fine with the Cactus triggers.

Also, check out http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com/ if you havn't already... a mecca for off camera strobes, kit information, and tips.

I am beginning to lean towards getting the stand, bracket, and umbrella with pocket wizards and just use my current flash off camera. Being able to do this could help me learn a bit, and then when I buy a 580EX II, I can use the pocket wizards to fire that off, and then fire the 430EX off via slave.
Any opinions??

If you can afford it, get the Pocket Wizards.

Still saving up for mine.

nw85887 wrote in post #5759611
If you can afford it, get the Pocket Wizards.

Still saving up for mine.

I can't quite afford it just yet... The wizards with stand, bracket, and umbrella totals around $250-$300. I only have around $140 right now...
I will have close to the amount needed for the wireless flash setup, when I will be shooting my churches VBS. (It is a once a day, from 1pm-4pm, event\games\thing for the smaller kids at the church) I am hoping I can get a small loan from my parents and get the lighting stuff before the VBS, so I can possibly do some formal type shots of each kid\class.

This may sound stupid... But the pocket wizards that I am looking for... Are these them? http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ails&Q=&sku=441​353&is=REG

One more question....
Do you think a 6' stand is tall enough?? I am 5'9" so I won't be able to shoot from behind me.... (Not sure if I ever will need to do so)
I was looking at the 8' stand, for only $15 more... Then $4 more than that is the 9.5' stand which people recommend much more than the 8' (8' they say is very wobbly when fully extended, 9.5' when fully extended is nice a sturdy).

Also... Is a 32" umbrella fine?? Or should I get a larger one??

I'd say keep away from pocket wizards for now and use Canon's IR flash system. eBay triggers doesn't work with Canon's circuitry. If you want to use triggers (which you wouldn't need), use it with flashes that has full manual mode, e.g. Vivitar, Sunpak, SB-24/26/28.

I think you have a good plan: get a 580EX I (II is weatherproof but not much different from I), stand (6 ft. is good for portraits), and white umbrella. I'd add another cheapo 420EX for background lighting and a flash off-camera cord (or even nicer, an ST-E2).

edit: actually, you can get a reflector instead of the 420EX. you might want to add a hair highlight snoot later on (or earlier on?).

If you looking to save some money do check out CyberSync from Alien Bees. They coming out with battery powered Rx which can be used to trigger flash in addition to studio strobes.

Thanks everyone for the help, opinions, suggestions, and notifications!
I am starting to get set on the idea of a used 580EX I (not II), with the stand, bracket, and umbrella.
580EX will be used on camera, and the 430EX will be fired as a slave.

I will not be getting hair\background lights, because I am only focusing on the main lights\flashes needed. Once I get these two lights down, and figure out how to use them, I will add on to my setup.

Thanks again!

Are there any other cheap flashes that I can use as a master??
I am having trouble finding used 580EX I and II flashes...
Are there any 3rd party strobes that can be used as a master flash??

Or, if you can, please post some links to eBay auctions and\or online stores that may sell used 580EX I and\or II flashes... Please and thank you!

Tumeg wrote in post #5760766
Are there any other cheap flashes that I can use as a master??
I am having trouble finding used 580EX I and II flashes...
Are there any 3rd party strobes that can be used as a master flash??

Or, if you can, please post some links to eBay auctions and\or online stores that may sell used 580EX I and\or II flashes... Please and thank you!

You could get a 420EX/ST-E2 combo which would work just the same. I don't know of any 3rd party flash that can communicate with Canon's IR system. The same thing applies for Nikon flashes. I think what you have in mind is a bunch of totally manual flashes with optical triggers. The downside is that you'll have to manually set the ratios. Canon's E-TTL does that automatically for you.

Thanks for the help!

Since I can't seem to find a cheap enough 580EX (eBay prices are almost the same as new, and when one is posted for sale on here, it is sold instantly!)... I am thinking about a used 550EX... After some quick research it seems like the only downside to the 550EX is the slower recycle time compared to the 430EX. The 550EX is more powerful, can act as a master, and has a few more features that the 430EX does not have... But it is 4.3 seconds slower than the 430EX in recharging.
For me, I highly doubt this will be a problem. I will use the 430EX when I do not need to use two flashes. When I need the two flashes I can cope with the slower recycle. I will be doing posed shots with the two lights, so slower recycle isn't exactly a huge down side.
Another + of the 550EX is they are going for $200-$250 on eBay, with box and case!

Anyway... Tell me what everyone thinks of this plan!


I want to get the flash ASAP so I can start playing... As I get more money I will buy the stand\bracket\umbrella​.
Main question that has yet to be answered: Will an extra flash with umbrella really affect\help portraits??? I think right now I am wanting a second flash\master just to have fun and play... Not sure if I really NEED the second flash.

Amvona is having a great sale on lighting. Good luck!!!

You can get by using one flash (using off-camera cord) and a reflector. But 2 or more is very desirable. Definitely check out Strobist website, it was tailor made for people like you (us )