Having a hard time making a decision on lighting

24 X 24 isn't very big for a softbox, and unless right in the subject's face won't get you very soft light.

If you want to do big softboxes outdoors you need either a bunch of speedlights or some form of portable studio strobe. Of which there are several.

For maximum flexibility, I'd suggest getting a couple of studio strobes and a inverter/battery pack. Ultimately it will be less expensive for the necessary flash power than multiple speedlights.

The tradeoff is that you can't do auto exposure E-TTL stuff with studio strobes without a bunch of expensive add-ons, which aren't needed with dedicated speedlights.

<Chas>

hi..i also have a question ..i can't decide what to buy for my home studio..:)..anyone any advice?:)
i can choose between:
I.
2x Studio flash 150Ws
2x modeling lamp 75W
2x stands 2m
1x Soft box: 45cm x 45cm
1x set color filter
1x umbrella: 92cm
1x set grid
1x tranport bag ( here u can see it... (link)
II.
-2 Blitz-uri 130 Ws
modeling lamp 75W-
2 standsde 2.36m-
1 softbox Octogonaldiagonal 68cm
-Set 4 filters
(red,green, blue, yellow)
u can see this one here: (link)

thanks for your advice and comments ( pro and cons)..

gabriel

Clark:

I started down the route of monolights using Alien Bees. I've since switched to using Canon speedlites.

Instead of getting 4 580s, I'd think about 2 580s and 2 430s. When you're triggering remote, they default to a wide setting, and the 580s are only slightly more powerful than the 430 at the widest settings. Going that route, I'd think about picking up a third 430, and using the off camera flashes in pairs. 580 on your camera, 580/430 as one pair, and 430/430 as another. (Yes, have at least two 580s. Want a backup master flash in case one breaks.)

If you're going to pair them, I'd go with this:

http://www.brewerbracket.com/el-doble-dual-flash-umbrella-bracket.html

Fantastically made. And now $10 less than I paid. :)

I'd also go for umbrellas over softboxes. Much easier setup. I use my umbrellas often; softbox, not so much.

In terms of ultimate portability, I'd go with these:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/63313-REG/Westcott_2002_Umbrella_Soft_Silver_.html

Or get the shoot through variety if you have plenty of light to spare. They collapse to a very small size.

Eric

Thank you both but I always thought that a large softbox would give a better quality of light than an umbrella. I really ditest the harshness of flash and i would like to have the softest light possible. Honestly though i only have experience with a single flash (580 exII) and that has been on the camera.

Try one of the Westcott or Photoflex convertible shoot-thru umbrellas. I just used two of them on a remote shoot (I flew so need the absolute minimum of gear). The convertibles let you remove the black cover to shoot thru, or leave it on for a basically shiny-white-lined umbrella (not as harsh as silver). The shoot thru is just about as soft as a softbox - well, no second diffuser panel but still pretty decent. The 32" size is bigger than your softbox and I think the domed shape (when using as a shoot thru) is easier to get close to someone's face without being quite as oppressive.
Even using an umbrella reflectively (non-shoot-thru) is going to give you a dramatic improvement over bare flash - especially if you get it off-axis. And the shoot thru is even softer. I think you'll be pretty impressed.
Personally like the build quality of the Westcott a little better than the Photoflex, but they're almost identical.

Well, if quality of light is the main objective, then an Alien Bee (or better yet, the new Einstein) will be your best bet. The AB/Einstein also has a portable power pack available for on-location shots. Now this type of portable set up will be far more cumbersome (weight & bulk) than using speedlights. However, that is about the only advantage using speedlights offer: easy to transport. Outside, it will be difficult to diffuse a speedlight AND overpower a bright, sunlit day. Can you work around it, sure. But again, it's a matter of choosing your compromise. The AB/Einstein will allow for larger softboxes. And remember, the larger the light source relative to the subject, the softer the light. A speedlight or two isn't going to have enough juice to say power a 40" softbox. Working outdoors with umbrellas or softboxes will also require some sandbags! Whether shooting speedlite or strobe. Overall, I personally dislike modifying speedlights (other than bouncing). I prefer the quality of light from a strobe using a parabolic reflector over that of a speedlight. In other words, I would prefer to shoot a QFlash or AB/Einstein through an umbrella or better yet, softbox, than a speedlight. But YMMV!

To the poster asking about 150w/s lighting.... that is really dim lighting. You start modifying that and you will quickly run out of light.

EDIT: I forgot to add that another advantage of working with a strobe, especially when using a softbox, is the modeling light! You can't see your lighting pattern with a speedlight, you are going by trial and error. And another advantage to the Einstein is the 250 watt modeling light. Very nice.

For my speedlight use outdoors, I'll grab an umbrella (if it isn't too windy outside) or a Photoflex Medium Litedome 24x36 (more resistant to wind).
My typical portrait shoots involve just the GF and I. Guess who gets stuck carrying the gear =/. This is the main reason my initial set of gear focused on speedlights... portability. If you have assistants lugging your gear around, then monolights like the AlienBees w/ portable Vegabond battery power (20lbs) would provide you more power.
Regarding overpowering the sun, sure it can be challenging with speedlights, but choose the right spot or time of day and you'll be surprised how effective speedlights are.

Since you asked for pictures:
A few of my photos using speedlights through a medium softbox (including a BTS setup).
http://www.prettygeeky.com/2009/09/03/summer-is-fading-fall-is-here/

Here's a speedlight-softbox setup a popular photo blogger uses:
http://neilvn.com/tangents/2008/11/14/softboxes-with-speedlights/

Why is everybody talking about overpowering the sun these days. You can use the sun as fill or main light.

Let me walk you through my first time ever out with these hidden jewels of the industry. Since I am know at lincostore.com as he Prince of Cheap,?my goal was to shoot assuming I had minimal gear. Just a basic DSLR, kit lens (F5.6 would be the widest aperture I could use), a fastest shutter speed of 1/125th, with the highest ISO I could use being 400. Having such a strict set of rules could nearly guarantee if I were a beginner I should be able to get good results from the lighting. Also, I limited myself to a maximum of only 2 lights for this test ?this way If I were on a strict budget only having 2 lights would probably reflect that. The kit consisted of a large bank (a single housing that holds multiple lights that are individually controlled) 40 x 40 inch softbox, large heavy duty lights stand and a 4 bulbs. The secondary light consisted of a single light head, a single bulb and a parabolic reflector as well as an optional 24 x 24 inch softbox. My only other option would be my trusty ebay 5n1 reflector kit with stand.
Here's a speedlight-softbox setup a article by David Griffin
http://www.lincostore.com/?Fs=fpArticleDetail&Csn1=4&Csn2=393&Csn3=18&Csn4=242&SN=1446