Sanity check my softbox/brolly future purchase please

[gaidin]

Hi, Ive currently got two SB-900s that I trigger with my D90 in commander mode for some product shots in a cheap light tent. I want to expand the kit out to include a softbox and umbrella to start getting into portraits and a portable strobist setup. Thats the plan :)

So currently in my cart at Adorama Ive got the following:

2 x Manfrotto 6' Lightstand with 5/8" Mounting Stud
http://www.adorama.com/BG3373.html

Westcott Hot Shoe Mount
http://www.adorama.com/WESMMA.html

Westcott 28" Apollo Speedlite Kit
http://www.adorama.com/WEASS28.html

Westcott Compact 43" White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover
http://www.adorama.com/WEUMB43WSC.html

I just want to check to see if theres anything obvious that Im missing? ie. Will the hot shoe mounts attach directly onto the lightstands or do I need some type of stud/clamp? Or do I need an "L Bracket" to correctly position the flash in the middle of the softbox?

I think Ive got the setup all sorted but just thought Id run it past the experts here in case Im way off track or missing something glaringly obvious :umm:

Many thanks to anyone prepared to offer some assistance :)

[maccaroneski]

I'm not really qualified as far as the suitability of the kit goes... but is it worth the cost and postage to have the light stands and hot shoe mounts shipped over? I know though that postage is pretty high, although there is a reasonably high threshold before it jumps again.

[I @ M]

gaidin, the 5/8" mount stud is pretty well universal and used for quite a few products on stands. Flash heads, umbrellas and softboxes etc. are usually designed around the same mount system so no further adapters are required.

I will include some links with detailed pictures of the sort of gear you are looking at. They are from Servaas Products (http://www.servaas.com.au/) who is a site advertiser offering great service and very competitive prices on similar products to those that you are looking at from the US.

Light Stands. (http://servaas.com.au/200cm-pro-aluminium-light-stand-with-quick-locks-p-119.html)

Softbox (http://servaas.com.au/portable-flash-soft-box-diffuser-50x50cm-28m-stand-p-162.html)

Speedlight + umbrella holder. (http://servaas.com.au/speedlight-flash-umbrella-holder-for-light-stand-p-140.html)

[bigdazzler]

I agree with Andrew mate .. buy this stuff locally. It makes no sense to get them from the US. Jeff at Servaas will look after you.

Another alternative is ############## (http://##############.com.au/) ... they have everything you will need to get a portable flash setup up and running.

[campo]

postage would be a killer!

Adorama tried to charge me $55USD to send my a $9 USD cable (that i can't buy here in australia)

[maccaroneski]

postage would be a killer!

Adorama tried to charge me $55USD to send my a $9 USD cable (that i can't buy here in australia)

The trick there is to wait until you need a bunch of little things - a filter, lens hood, whatever, to defray the cost of the postage across multiple items.

[gaidin]

OK, thanks for all the advice from everyone! I might have a look around locally then and see what prices I can find :)

The only reason I was looking at adorama was that I was thinking of including a Teleconverter or a new backpack in with the order (which are considerably cheaper OS) but I might delay those purchases and just grab lighting this time.

Thanks for all the links posted for local products too...much appreciated :) :th3: