430EX + stand and umbrella / softbox

[Roger]

I have a 430EX flash, what would I need to put it on a stand, and use it to fire into a umbrella or soft box?

I am assuming I need something to trigger the flash, a stand, a adapter to fix the flash unit to the stand and a umbrella or soft box? Do i also need something to connect the umbrella or soft box to the stand / flash?

I would like to do this, and maybe add another flash combo like this(or 580EX) in the future either on camera or on the opposite side of model / person I am shooting.


Idea's / commends please.

[davespix]

Hey Rodger I own Nikon and the 580 equivalent.
You can buy a pc sinc cord to your Canon camera to flash or buy a slave unit (cheap) Both are really.
Or go wireless, not so cheap.
If you go slave unit you will have to fire a master flash to trigger it, say onboard flash if your model has one.
I also saw Canon has a wireless what dttl unit, Not cheap.
Mounting is beyond me, I have a mini stand for mine but you may need some type of special mount, they cant be that bad in price alot of guys use flash guns on stands.
The pc sync cord may be the quickest way for now.
I am sure the next responce will explain the mounting of a flash gun on a light stand.
Ps if you were getting a 580 then use it as your master flash.

[gluwater]

Rodger, check out the Strobist (http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/). They have just about everything you will ever need to know about flash. Do some digging and you will get a better understanding of what you need. Start with their Lighting 101 (http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html) section. They mostly talk about Nikon flash but the basics are the same. The only big different is that Canon flashes, except the new 580EX MrkII, do not have PC ports, so you need a hot shoe adapter like this Canon Off camera shoe cord (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=12972&is=REG&addedTroughType=search).

[Kevin]

And to attach your flash and umbrella to the stand, get one of these (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=3536&A=details&Q=&sku=50067&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation)

[Roger]

Thanks.

Any recommendations of umbrella / soft boxes that will work well with my current flash in a home setting with a background?

[Roger]

I know I am a noob, and I have bought a book and looked on websites, but most only talk about using strobes or lamps.

Kevin posted the attachment for the speed light and to attach to a stand, anyone know a good cheap stand for this purpose, or will any light stand work? I need a off shoe device like posted above, but i would need it father than 2 ft.... Do they make extension cables? Or is there a cheap way for my built in flash to set off the speedlight?

Will any umbrella and or softbox work with my speed light?

Thanks
Thanks

[davespix]

One thought is a flash gun will not fire as much light as a strobe so, I beleive an umbrella would be the most effective, for now, you could use a softbox at close range, but all said a cheaper light stand will do as the flash gun is light and really would only have to support the offset weight of an umbrella.
There are hundreds of cheaper stands available less than 50US for sure.

[Roger]

Can you get Canon Off Camera Shoe adapter extension cords? I would need something past 2ft.