Westcott Collapsible Umbrella Flash Kit

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OK, I don't like using flash and I don't take many people pictures, but to please the rest of the family I have to change my ways.

I have an old Canon 550ex which after 10 years I have learnt to use.

In order to get some decent diffused light I have bought a used Westcott Collapsible Umbrella Flash Kit.

Despite my forgivings, I do want to learn. Most of my pictures will be taken in doors in various sized rooms.

Do I need anything else eg softbox?

I have a Canon 7Dii so I assume I do not need wireless triggers unless I want more control.
 
Hi

It depends on the type of photos you want. With the umbrella you cannot control the light which you can with a softbox.

Also I prefer using triggers to trigger the flash as I do not want the light from to camera to add to the exposure.
 
It's not clear what you've actually bought, but assuming that includes an umbrella (and that's fine) then you'll need a stand, and an umbrella adapter to connect stand/umbrella/flash gun. You'll also find a white/silver fold-up reflector panel for about a tenner very useful for putting a bit of light back into the shadow side.

Triggering with the 7D2 will probably work okay indoors if you don't have daylight streaming through the windows. The 550EX needs to get a good look at the 7D2's pop-up flash and may be unreliable if the sensor is facing away or shielded. Light from the pop-up will not interfere with the image.
 
HoppyUK said:
It's not clear what you've actually bought, but assuming that includes an umbrella (and that's fine) then you'll need a stand, and an umbrella adapter to connect stand/umbrella/flash gun. You'll also find a white/silver fold-up reflector panel for about a tenner very useful for putting a bit of light back into the shadow side.

Triggering with the 7D2 will probably work okay indoors if you don't have daylight streaming through the windows. The 550EX needs to get a good look at the 7D2's pop-up flash and may be unreliable if the sensor is facing away or shielded. Light from the pop-up will not interfere with the image.
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Thanks Richard

The kit contains a stand, umbrella and an adapter. I have also ordered some Yongnuo RF603CII/RF603II Remote Flash Triggers as my other cameras are older than the 7Dii and cannot control remote flashes. Would these be better than controlling with the 7Dii flash given the need for a good line of sight between the camera and the flash?

Is the 550ex still up to the task given it is approx 10 years old? It still seems to be a good flash to me although you cannot control it with the camera in the same way as the latest flashes.

If I get to the stage where I need a second flash are the Yongnuo ones good enough? Reviews are mixed although the latest models seem to have better quality control.

Finally, is it generally better to use an umbrella than bouncing the flash off a ceiling/wall? (Pictures will be mainly portraits)
 
wireless triggers - yes - gives you much more flexibility. These you've ordered are ok but only give you flash trigger control, they aren't the TTL ones, but you can also use them as a remote shutter control. I have 5 of these - very useful for multiple flash guns.

550ex - with the remote triggers you have, yeah why not. A good light source, you have to manually adjust the light rather than rely on ttl, but that's fine. I use mine with a 550EX2, a 430 and two cheap manual Yongnuo flash guns. Works ok for me.
As for flashguns, depends what you want and how you'll use them. For portraits I used to use the two cheap flashguns to light a white background, a 550 ex2 in a westcott brolly softbox, with the 430 to act as fill in if required.

Again with light - it depends on what you want. You can angle light in always, bouncing is ok but is a bit one directional.

Start with one light source, move onto two i.e. clamshell, use reflectors, then move onto more as required. Practice, get to know what you like, how the light works
 
Archie747 said:
Thanks Richard

The kit contains a stand, umbrella and an adapter. I have also ordered some Yongnuo RF603CII/RF603II Remote Flash Triggers as my other cameras are older than the 7Dii and cannot control remote flashes. Would these be better than controlling with the 7Dii flash given the need for a good line of sight between the camera and the flash?
Click to expand...

Given the low cost of good radio triggers these days, they're a better and more dependable option. YN 603s are a good choice, but they're only basic 'dumb' manual triggers - they'll fire the flash (and also wake it up if it goes to sleep) but nothing more. If you want full eTTL control, get YN 622 triggers and (preferably) a Tx unit. 550EX is not on the recommended list I don't think, but I know they work fine with 622 (our PhilV has used that combo for weddings, maybe still does). You don't want/need eTTL for studio work - manual is the preferred route.

Is the 550ex still up to the task given it is approx 10 years old? It still seems to be a good flash to me although you cannot control it with the camera in the same way as the latest flashes.
Click to expand...

550EX is still a good gun.

If I get to the stage where I need a second flash are the Yongnuo ones good enough? Reviews are mixed although the latest models seem to have better quality control.
Click to expand...

Yongnuo guns are very good, and amazing value. I have four. But they're still just small hot-shoe guns and if you have access to mains power, a studio flash head is a much better option - modelling lamp, fast recharge times, more power if you need it, tons of light modifiers available. My advice would be to get a Lencarta SmartFlash-2 for about £100 (plus spill-kill reflector for umbrella use), plug the RF603 in and you have a great starter set-up and are on the way to a proper studio lighting system. Lots of threads on this. Don't forget the white/silver fold-up reflector that will give you a lot more options.

Finally, is it generally better to use an umbrella than bouncing the flash off a ceiling/wall? (Pictures will be mainly portraits)
Click to expand...

Bouncing flash like that is an excellent technique when you have no other options, but not a method for quality lighting.
 
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