580ex II with softbox or beauty dish?

shankarhokie wrote in post #11671605
People here are very happy with the Steve Kaser umbrella soft box

http://www.skaeser.com …SOFTBOX-REFLECTIVE/Detail

any photos taken with this umbrella?

jxs1984 wrote in post #11673468
any photos taken with this umbrella?

I use it all the time, but seeing photos taken with it arent likely to tell you much as the results are only as good as the way its used. Let me see if I can find something to show you.

this is a nice alternative! very affordable too.

jxs1984 wrote in post #11674084
this is a nice alternative! very affordable too.

I use them for times when I dont want larger or more costly modifiers out in the weather. at 2 for $30 they are practically disposable. But keep in mind they are still a small light source. For your group shot you would still want a bigger modifier.

gonzogolf wrote in post #11674170
I use them for times when I dont want larger or more costly modifiers out in the weather. at 2 for $30 they are practically disposable. But keep in mind they are still a small light source. For your group shot you would still want a bigger modifier.

how bout two of these umbrellas + two 580ex II's? would that work for group shot?

jxs1984 wrote in post #11674237
how bout two of these umbrellas + two 580ex II's? would that work for group shot?

That would probably work for you. Do you have the second 580? Or are you going to rent/borrow it?

i dont have an extra speedlite to use yet. thinking whether to go with alien bee or another speedlite. in the long run it might be better to go with an alien bee.

jxs1984 wrote in post #11674544
i dont have an extra speedlite to use yet. thinking whether to go with alien bee or another speedlite. in the long run it might be better to go with an alien bee.

keep in mind u will also need a battery pack to go with the bees if u plan to shoot on location, which will cost u around the same price as the strobe.

if i was in ur scenario, i would stick with the one 580ex for now.. and get a 60" umbrella.

jxs1984 wrote in post #11674544
i dont have an extra speedlite to use yet. thinking whether to go with alien bee or another speedlite. in the long run it might be better to go with an alien bee.

Unless you are just stuck on retaining ettl, a second 580exII is probably the least logical option. For the price of that one speedlight, you could get a 2 light calumet genesis set, or an alien bee, or a whole bag of YN Speedlights, umbrellas and stands. I like using the studio strobes on locations, but you would need a battery option like the vagabond to make it self contained. The studio lights allow you to use much larger modifiers and therefore softer light.