Another Round Of Purchasing For Strobist Style Lighting

Hey everyone,

So far I own 2x Sunpak 383 and I purchased this kit from B&H:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Flash_Umbrella_​Mount.html

I'm looking to add a 3rd flash, I hoping for another sunpak 383 but they're back ordered. Would one of those Vivitar 285 flashes work ok or should I hold out for a sunpak?

Also that kit I linked above came with 32" umbrellas and I've played around with them a bit and I could be putting them too close to my subject and using too low a power but they don't seem to get enough spread to light a full standing subject. Should I be going to a larger umbrella for my main light? What size would be appropriate?

I was also hoping someone could point me to whatever I would need to attach a softbox to a light stand to use one of those in place of an umbrella. I'd like to grab a nice budget conscious softbox from amvona on ebay but I'm not sure how I get that attached to the light stand properly. I guess this would hold true for any of the other modifiers as well.

I also want to purchase what I think are referred to as 'optical slaves' I want to connect my flash to this so it will fire automatically when it detects my other flashes firing. Am I using the term 'optical slave' properly here and is there anything specific I need to know if I'm buying one for my Sunpak flashes or can I just pick one at random? Is there a specific one anyone recommends?

And finally if anyone knows a better quality light stand for about the same money as the impacts I'd sure jump all over that too.

Thanks ladies and gents,
Kurt

For the umbrellas, turn up the power and back it away from your subject to get the coverage you need - although the fall off may not be what you want.

Good softbox with adapter:
http://alzodigital.com …_porta_flash_so​ft_box.htm

Thanks for the advice on the umbrella I'll try moving it back more to see if I get the light spread I'm after.

That softbox looks like it will work good, does anyone know if you can get that bracket the softbox uses to mount to the lightstand, holds the flash and ends in the ring you can mount accessories to?

Thanks for the help!
Kurt