Help on TTL setup

Point me in the right direction please. I have about $600 to spend on lighting equipment for outdoor portraits. I currently have a 580EXII and 2 Vivitars 285(new models). I've tried OCF and I suck at manual flash control so I'm trying to stay in the E-TTL mode. What would you suggest from the following:

1. Buy another 580EXII and use IR system, master off and the second light as the main light.

2. Buy the new Pocketwizard MiniTTL and Flex 5 setup. (I've heard there are issues with using this system with the 580EXII.)

3. Buy a ST-E2 and a 480EX II to go along with my current 580EXII

If you have any other suggestions, please let me know.

Thanks for your help on this issue.

Buy a Sekonic L-358 and a set of Cybersync radio triggers?

OK - outdoors the Canon wireless system could be problematic, especially in bright sun. Your two Vivitars won't work in this scenario so you'll need another flash. Going that route I would buy two 430EX IIs rather than the ST-E2. Use the 580EX II as an on-camera master - it has a better range for the command flashes for the wireless system.

Titus213 wrote in post #8298904
Buy a Sekonic L-358 and a set of Cybersync radio triggers?

OK - outdoors the Canon wireless system could be problematic, especially in bright sun. Your two Vivitars won't work in this scenario so you'll need another flash. Going that route I would buy two 430EX IIs rather than the ST-E2. Use the 580EX II as an on-camera master - it has a better range for the command flashes for the wireless system.

I have the Cybersyncs, two receivers and one trans. I bought them when I got the Vivitars, hence my not being very good with manual flash.

I've never used a light meter. Are they hard to learn how to use?

I found the Sekonic L-358 quite easy to use. It has enough options to handle most conditions you are likely to encounter but simple enough master quickly.

Dave,
Explain to me how you use the Sekonic to take a reading using the cybersyncs ? I use PW's, which the sekonic trips with it's RF module. Do you just plug a wire in ?

Thanks,

george m w wrote in post #8299212
Dave,
Explain to me how you use the Sekonic to take a reading using the cybersyncs ? I use PW's, which the sekonic trips with it's RF module. Do you just plug a wire in ?

Thanks,

No cable, I have a 2nd trigger for backup ($60). The Cybersyncs are considerably smaller than the PWs so I just drop the 2nd transmitter in my shirt pocket. The Sekonic has an auto-reset cordless mode. Press the meter button, hit the trigger and the meter measures it.

Titus213 wrote in post #8299012
I found the Sekonic L-358 quite easy to use. It has enough options to handle most conditions you are likely to encounter but simple enough master quickly.

Dave,
thanks for the suggestion. I'll look into getting a Sekonic L-358.

Thanks!

Theron

Thanks Dave....I'll look at my L-358 more closely. I've never used that feature, since I trip the pw's with it directly. I know it will do a lot of stuff that I have not yet learned. To quote you in another thread, "isn't photography fun?" ....well....yes it is !

Theron,
when you say you suck at manual flash control, whats your worst problem? Like Dave said a light meter would cure the exposure problems. $600 would get you a alien bee 800 and a vagabond to go with your 285s for some serious outdoor ocf.

gonzogolf wrote in post #8307497
Theron,
when you say you suck at manual flash control, whats your worst problem? Like Dave said a light meter would cure the exposure problems. $600 would get you a alien bee 800 and a vagabond to go with your 285s for some serious outdoor ocf.

I can never get the lighting right. Usually it is to bright but it never looks as good as when it is on the hotshoe. I know that is sad to say but that is what is going on. I've never a light meter so I guess I'm going to look into that suggestion.

Thanks,

Theron