Mobile Event Lighting Question?

Hi I'm trying to put together a mobile light setup for the use at events or on the street portraits.

What I have currently:
1- 580ex II
2- 7ft lightstands with umbrellas and shoe mount heads
1- Back drop stand with muslins etc that will hold 10x20

What I need the setup to do:
1. Needs to be mobile
2. Power is a concern (however if I need to buy a power so be it)
3. I'm looking to do a basic 2 light setup. In doors and in daylight.
4. As a MAX- To light large groups say 3 or 4 rows of 7 or 8 people across (about 30 to 40 people)
5.wireless if possible

I've considered doing a shoe mount setup buying 2 430ex's but I have been told that maynot be enough power for what I want to do. If I need to go with a pro strobe setup. What realisticly do I need ? 300w or 400w strobes?

Does anyone have experience doing this?

If you're doing rows of people the light needs to be above the camera, otherwise you get shadows on people. Even then you can if you're not careful. Two lights at 45 degrees causes problems with shadows.

Power isn't a huge issue, shoot ISO800 if you need to. Portability is an issue. Sunpak 383s are good, plenty powerful, but not so fast to recharge. Because of that 2nd hand 550EX/580EX units with CP-E4 battery packs are great, but expensive. If you don't need portability power the 383s with a sealed lead acid battery like I do. Bounce them into umbrellas, or shoot through white umbrellas. 430EX is about 1.5 stops less powerful than a 383, one stop less powerful than a 580.

Pro strobes are big, heavier, take longer to set up, an AB800s only give you a couple of stops over 383s. Measurements here. You can get bigger strobe easily enough, but they get a bit expensive.

That's my brain dump for now. Welcome to POTN, tell us more about what you do and where you do it and maybe we can help out some more

Well I can even get the job done with just my 580 and a little photoshop.

Frankly just want something decent, however I would never find myself in a permanent studio setting.

The umbrella I have is a 36" w/ sliver linning. When I ran a test using my 580 as a slave it didnt seem to do a very good job. The light just seem to spill everywhere it wasnt supposed to go.

If you still think the 383's would be best, ideas for a decent RF trigger or would I need that with 383's ?

My budget is such where I will buy whatever I need, but that I don't want to buy it twice

I would recommend (and use) the Sunpak 383's and Skyport triggers. I know the Cybersyncs are new (I havent used them) and seem to be looked upon favorably.

Ok, Having a problem making a choice.

2 383's + Cybersync RF Trigger 1- Transceiver 2- Receiver 2 cables
Cost me somewhere around $400 to $415

I figure 2 420ex are going to cost me $260 to $300

Is the added power of the sunpak's worth giving up E-TTL + the added price??

Also any thoughts on Sigma EF-500 DG Super ? They're claiming it can be used with Canons TTL?
Is it possible to get a couple of these and use them as slaves. The nature of the photography im doing it would be nice not to have to set these every time. People don't want to wait a few mins to make sure I get the exposure just right. This is a tough choice all around.

Check out this thread.

Tim your awesome man hehe

In short I never asked the question but I found the answer. Thanks again buddy

Happy to have helped