I pulled the trigger... I wanna be a Strobist

Just placed the order today after much deliberation on which route to go...

• 2 - Pocket Wizard Transceivers - B&H - way too much $$$, but you knew that by now...
  
• 2 - 8' Stands w/ 32" Umbrellas and Flash Mounts - B&H - $99
  
• 2 - Sunpak 383's (off eBay) - ~$200 total with accessories
  
• 2 - Optical Hotshoe Sensors for the 383's - $ ~$25

Now start using them.

I have a couple of stands and umbrellas and recently haven't been using them. I really wish I'd picked up the Bogen clamp like the Strobist 101 thread said. Lately, I have been laying the strobes down on a nearby surface and aiming them 'roughly' and getting pretty decent results (and quick). The stands and umbrellas imply a bit of a chore...

can you link me to the stands and umbrellas you got?
i'm looking to do a setup similar to yours

GSansoucie wrote in post #5786443
Now start using them.

I can't wait! A couple more days...

LoneWolf2 wrote in post #5787079
can you link me to the stands and umbrellas you got?
i'm looking to do a setup similar to yours

...B&H - Impact Flash Umbrella Kit... - $98.95 for 2 stands, brackets and umbrellas

For the setup you described, you don't need to set the 580EX to manual slave mode, just manual mode will be fine. In fact, when the 580 is in slave mode, its build in ETTL slave sensor is active, combining with other flashes, you will have misfire problem.

Lotto wrote in post #5787639
For the setup you described, you don't need to set the 580EX to manual slave mode, just manual mode will be fine. In fact, when the 580 is in slave mode, its build in ETTL slave sensor is active, combining with other flashes, you will have misfire problem.

Nice catch...thanks for the info!

Great stuff. You're gonna love 'em.