how is this for a small lighting kit?

So I was thinking about picking up some lighting gear sometime soon.. Just wanted opinions on what I could get instead or if I should just get a 85mm f/1.2L II instead =D

Vivitar 285HV x 4
PW Plus II x 3 (Already have 2)
Bogen 8' Light Stand x 3
Stroboframe Shoe Mount x 3
Manfrotto 026 Umbrella Adapter x 3
Photogenic Eclipse White x 3
Photogenic Eclipse Silver x 2

Not too much stuff but it adds up to being just a few hundred $s less then a 85mm f/1.2L. I really would like to try out the 85L but I have no lighting gear as of last week. My 580EXII (which I got used) just died. I only have 1 light stand, a cheap umbrella, and 2 PWs.... Don't know what to do...
Opinions would be appreciated =D

no one? =(

What kind of shooting do you like to do? How much do you miss having the 580EX?

Personally, I would LOVE to have the 85mm f/1.2, but I've chosen to spend money on lighting first since it suits the things I shoot most often.

mostly landscapes, wildlife, outdoor kinda stuff... not requiring a flash really... but SOMETIMES i do product and people photography =D the thing is... if I get the 85L I won't have any sort of lighting... which sucks..

Could you swing the lens and one of the Vivitar's to start out, then pick up the rest over time?

I wish, but because of where I am getting it, I can only buy once a year, so I can't split anything up.

brianch wrote in post #7361090
So I was thinking about picking up some lighting gear sometime soon.. Just wanted opinions on what I could get instead or if I should just get a 85mm f/1.2L II instead =D

Vivitar 285HV x 4
PW Plus II x 3 (Already have 2)
Bogen 8' Light Stand x 3
Stroboframe Shoe Mount x 3
Manfrotto 026 Umbrella Adapter x 3
Photogenic Eclipse White x 3
Photogenic Eclipse Silver x 2

Any Reason For those specific items, You could save a bunch going with impact stands and umbrella's but I can't argue with the adapter. Also I recommend FlashZebra Item #0126 to replace the shoe mounts, these plug right into your PW's.

swjim wrote in post #7363919
Could you swing the lens and one of the Vivitar's to start out, then pick up the rest over time?

+1
You could always get the lens and take your time looking for used lighting items (although you said your used 580EX blew out?).

What happened to the 580?

DDCSD wrote in post #7364189
What happened to the 580?

I bought it used, it fried... It did me well considering I got it for $200

Najo wrote in post #7364142
Any Reason For those specific items, You could save a bunch going with impact stands and umbrella's but I can't argue with the adapter. Also I recommend FlashZebra Item #0126 to replace the shoe mounts, these plug right into your PW's.

thanks for the recommendation, I will definitely look into it. I am choosing those items only because other people told me they were good. I was going to go for the much cheaper stand and umbrella adapter but if I could pay a bit more and get a stand and adapter of better quality, I would rather do that. I don't believe in buying cheaper, lower quality items just to save a few bucks, it gets back to you in the end.. Are there any other better umbrellas you would recommend? I decided on the eclipse umbrellas simply because I see them used often so they must be decent?. I am getting the 285HVs simply because of price, but if there is anything better for around the same price I don't mind that either.. I don't really need 4 flashes, I am just getting 4 because if two die, I have two more =D


The thing that is turning me down is the total retail price of this small amateur lighting kit... It is almost as much as the 85mm f/1.2L... When really the kit is just composed of basic beginner products. Where as the 85L is so sweet.. sigh..

brianch wrote in post #7364534
I bought it used, it fried... It did me well considering I got it for $200

I'll give you $50 for it.

brianch wrote in post #7363871
mostly landscapes, wildlife, outdoor kinda stuff... not requiring a flash really... but SOMETIMES i do product and people photography =D the thing is... if I get the 85L I won't have any sort of lighting... which sucks..

Well from the list of things you say you shoot the 85 lens and the lighting kit wouldn't be very good purchases. On that note the lighting kit would probably be way more fun to play with than the lens. Even if you buy 4 lights I would drop one of those wizards from your list. You will rarely need all 4 lights unless you are doubling or tripling them up into a softbox etc for higher power in which case you can just split the cord and use one wizard.

DDCSD wrote in post #7364597
I'll give you $50 for it.

Already sold it =D

Alleh wrote in post #7364626
Well from the list of things you say you shoot the 85 lens and the lighting kit wouldn't be very good purchases. On that note the lighting kit would probably be way more fun to play with than the lens. Even if you buy 4 lights I would drop one of those wizards from your list. You will rarely need all 4 lights unless you are doubling or tripling them up into a softbox etc for higher power in which case you can just split the cord and use one wizard.

hmmm. thanks for the suggestions. Yea you are right about the PWs. Do you have any recommendations for brackets to mount 2 or 3 strobes on a stand?