Recommendations for a lightstand and umbrella

[natek313]

So, I think the time has come for me to get a lightstand and umbrella for my 430EX II. I'm tired of having to rig something up just to position my flash. Plus, I don't have anything really to diffuse the light; obviously, that's where the umbrella would come in.

I've looked in a Paul C. Buff catalog, and there are so many options out there. I've read/heard that there is usually an ideal size umbrella for particular flash outputs. Like I said, I'm shooting with a 430EX II. Can anyone recommend an umbrella and lightstand that would be good for this flash? I'd like the lightstand durable and portable. My budget is $150 max for both items.

Hopefully you guys can help me out. Thanks!

EDIT: I just saw this set on B&H. Thoughts? I'm eventually going to get another flash unit, so the second umbrella and stand would be put to use.

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by natek313

So, I think the time has come for me to get a lightstand and umbrella for my 430EX II. I'm tired of having to rig something up just to position my flash. Plus, I don't have anything really to diffuse the light; obviously, that's where the umbrella would come in.

I've looked in a Paul C. Buff catalog, and there are so many options out there. I've read/heard that there is usually an ideal size umbrella for particular flash outputs. Like I said, I'm shooting with a 430EX II. Can anyone recommend an umbrella and lightstand that would be good for this flash? I'd like the lightstand durable and portable. My budget is $150 max for both items.

Hopefully you guys can help me out. Thanks!

EDIT: I just saw this set on B&H. Thoughts? I'm eventually going to get another flash unit, so the second umbrella and stand would be put to use.

I have the impact umbrell brackets and they work great. I would actualy recomend buying there stuff seperate and build a kit because 32 inch umbrellas are small I have some. I would recomend atleast 40 inles your just doing 1 person shoots. But I would buy impact. They make decent stuff for a lower price. And of corse always buy from B and H

See this post I posted where I layed out what I would buy http://digital-photography-school.co...187-post8.html

[natek313]

Wow. Thanks for all the information, Brian!

[candleman]

yeah... seconds on the umbrella..

anything smaller than 40" is too small.

42" OR 45" is good..

try get one with a removable cover.. then you can shoot through and bounce.