Budget setup

I have $400 tops to spend on some more camera gear. Content with my lens's I figured to turn my attention to lighting , something I do not have any of yet.

Intended use is for general pictures of the family , as well as car shows ( local shows ) and just general pictures.

With $420 to spend would I be better off with:

• 430 EX II ($270) , Vivitar 285HV ($90), and some ebay triggers ( $50 - for experimenting with OCF )
  
• Sigma 530 DG Super ( $210 ) , Vivitar 285HV ($90), ebay triggers ($50)
  
• 2 Viv 285 HV's and Cybersyncs ($130 )
  
• 430 EX II ($270 ) and cybersyncs ( $130 )
  
• other suggestions

used since you are on a budget. and don't forget modifiers.

430 EX II $210 used
Vivitar 285HV $60 used
eBay or Cactus triggers - $50
Impact 2 x umbrellas/bracket/stan​d - $100

CosmoKid wrote in post #8460838
used since you are on a budget. and don't forget modifiers.

430 EX II $210 used
Vivitar 285HV $60 used
eBay or Cactus triggers - $50
Impact 2 x umbrellas/bracket/stan​d - $100

I nearly agree:
430 EX (not II) $180-$200 used
Vivitar 285HV $60 used
CTR-301P with two receivers (eBay) - $42
Impact 2 x umbrellas/bracket/stan​d - ~$110 (with shipping)

The only hesitation I have there is that the Impact umbrella brackets are supposed to have questionable durability. Also, in your list above, you have Cybersyncs costing $130. You will only get one receiver for that much and with two lights, you'll need two receivers. I have also been looking at getting Cybersyncs to go with a 430EX and 580EX.

I have been putting together a budget kit as well this is what I have so far
2 285HV $150 shipped Used came with one optic sensor and one vivatar to cyber cable.
Used Cybersync 1 trigger and 2 receivers $175.00 shipped
Used 1 Vivatar to Cyber cable $7 shipped (pending)
Used 2 smith victor stands and 3 12" floods $10 craigslist

So right now I am @ 342 and need to get 2 umbrellas and 2 brackets to complete stage one of the budget buy 4 me.

Thanks for the input , I am not opposed to buying used , but I get impatient waiting for something at the right price , so I was mostly considering new. , especially since the 430EXII seem to be around $270 new and $220 used and the small difference between the Vivtar used and new is very small.

Thanks for the info on the cybersync pricing , I did have a mental lapse and forget to add the 2nd receiver.

Looks live I have some researching to do tonight

thanks again.

The new Radio Popper Jr system might be a better budget option that cybersyncs.

Have a look here.

SC3 Kit is about the same price as your other options, and you're going to go off camera and be using manual flash anyway, it comes with all the accessories you'll need.

And if you haven't already, take a look at www.strobist.com

I use two 430 EX's with cyber sync and photo slave. However the vivitars would work great and save money. Here' some links.
http://www.flashzebra.​com/brackets/0041.shtm​l
http://www.flashzebra.​com/products/0118/0118​.jpg
http://www.flashzebra.​com/pics/0065_h90.jpg
http://www.white-lightning.com/cybersyn​c.html#cst

http://www.adorama.com​/GT7.html

Added link for light stand, I use this one and it is built well. Add a cople of umbrellas of your choosing and you are in.

getting closer to ordering

what would I be giving up from the 430EX to the 430EX II to the Sigma EF-530 DG Super ?

How would you rank them ? Would the super be more comparable to the 430EX or the EX II ?

amazon and b&h had brand new 430ex II's for like 240 with free shipping

I ended up pulling the trigger this morning:

From ebay: CTR-301P Wireless Flash Trigger 2 Receiver w/ PC Sync
From Adorama: 430Ex II , umbrella , bracket/adapter , stand

next month I will add another umbrella set up and a Vivatar 285HV.

thanks for the info folks

The Yongnuo YN460 manual flash is a good option too.. when you ordered the CTR-301P, you should have made an offer of $40 for the YN460 flash too, I bought two YN460 for $40 each from Yongnuo on ebay, they are good.

Mufutau

JTW_Jr wrote in post #8495794
I ended up pulling the trigger this morning:

From ebay: CTR-301P Wireless Flash Trigger 2 Receiver w/ PC Sync
From Adorama: 430Ex II , umbrella , bracket/adapter , stand

next month I will add another umbrella set up and a Vivatar 285HV.

thanks for the info folks

I would have done that...but I got to make sure I spread the toy $$$ around between my 3 sons as well

always next month.

Quite understood.. we never finished buying all this equipment, there is always more.. addictions is what we have. There is always tommorow or next month.

Mufutau

JTW_Jr wrote in post #8497109
I would have done that...but I got to make sure I spread the toy $$$ around between my 3 sons as well

always next month.

Another thread that I love. Thanks completed all the homeworks for me . Happy Fri.