Lighting to Go
If you were never going to move this stuff anywhere you'd probably
be better off buying studio lights. The cost will be
approximately the same and they will flash longer and cheaper.
But having a wireless system like the EOS one is terrific because
you can eat your cake and have it, too. You can setup a very
nice studio system that you can then pack up and take nearly
anywhere, even outside (although with any kind of wind outside
you'll probably need heavier stands, with the capability of putting
sandbags or other weights on them. Even then, umbrellas
outside aren't much fun when the weather is bad).
I'd recommend getting a nice bag to carry all this stuff -- I use
a Domke F-400 original sling bag ($48) which is long enough to carry
the Smith-Victor stands, and small enough
for even an old guy like me to handle. My
three stands, four umbrellas and three mounts all fit easily
inside. The bag is nicely constructed, with heavy duty zippers
and accessory pockets.
I put my three flashes in a small padded camera bag I had laying
around (I didn't want to put them in the Domke although they would
have fit), so it's just the two bags that carry my entire lighting
studio. The only other thing you need is batteries -- lots and
lots if you're going on a remote shoot (the ni-cad rechargables will
be much cheaper in the long run, but be aware that normal alkaline
batteries will give you about three times as many flashes.
Either carry a lot of ni-cads or be prepared to go through a lot of
alkalines. TANSTAAFL).
