Wireless triggers, or light meter?

Titus213 wrote in post #6219973
I'll suggest a different approach - buy the light meter first. You can use it in all sorts of situations. And with 2 580EX units you can use ETTL which doesn't really require a meter.

This is also good advice. However 2 580EX units slaved via Canon's system won't always fire under certain conditions. This is one of the other reasons I bit the bullet and went with pocket wizards.

InTheDeck, I would support your suggestion of Radiopoppers. The E-TTL system works very well, particularly where on-the-fly, uncontrolled circumstances apply, but the infra-red transport system for the two-way messaging between camera and flashes is very weak. The radioPoppers add a radio link to that stream, and increase the range and operability of the IR link.

However, it would be good to obtain mastery of the whole flash system, and to do this i would suggest that you read The Strobist Lighting 102 tutorials and do the exercises, using low-cost triggers. It sounds fiddly and pricey, but once you have the gear, you will realise that your fears are groundless. And, you will have a backup system to the RadioPopper/E-TTL system.

The best of both worlds is to have both worlds!

Thanks for the suggestions, all. I appreciate it, and am going to continue the investigation.