Need Help buying equipment?

[nycphotography]

I dunno canon so much... I'm mostly Nikon and u43. Unfortunately, a good canon brand TTL flash can run $300 and up. An older model canon, used on ebay should be well under $150. The canon guys should be able to help with specifics.

However you can get a third party a TTL speedlight for $80-90 from a reputable dealer (bounce AND swivel are critical here). You'd have to ask around to see how good these are, but I think these should be really good for the intended use. Vivitar has been around forever and they aren't "crap".
Vivitar DF-293 Digital TTL Auto-Focus Flash f/Canon TTL VIV-DF-293-CAN
or Vivitar DF-383 Digital TTL Shoe Mount Auto-Focus Flash f/Canon VIVDF383CAN

You can start with one, then add a second when you want more advanced lighting.

Smooth White Foamcore is (usually) available at an art supply in 4'x8' sheets (1/4" thick minimum) for around $20-30. Cut one 4x8 sheet down into 2 4x2 sheets, 2 2x2 sheets and 2 16x24 sheets and 2 8x24 strips. You now have a complete set of bounce cards in a nice size for lighting table top sets.

Flat Black foamcore can be used as a gobo. A sheet of it can be cut down using the same plan.

Someone near you should know where you can buy it.... a SMALL LOCAL framing shop may be willing to sell some out of their supplies, or even order some on for you with their next supply order. Set shop sells single sheets... dunno how they ship them
foamcore, bead board, foam board, gator board, Black and Whte Foamcore Set Shop

White ripstop you can easily get online
White 30 Denier Double Silicone Coated Ripstop

$3 worth of ripstop, some cardboard, white gloss and flat black spray paint, and some gaff tape, and you have a softbox. Not a very flexible one for high productivity studio work, but definitely one you can learn with.
http://www.bing.com/search?q=diy+softbox+light

you can make 1/2 PVC frames for $10.
1/2 pvc scrim frame how to - Bing
and use spring clamps to hold it in place
10 piece Plastic Spring Clamp Set - Amazon.com

These light stands are more than sturdy enough for speed lights...
Flashpoint 7.2' Air Cushioned Black 3-Section Lightstand FT2600B
and you can spring clamp bounce cards and gobos to them as well.

Finally, a roll of black and white gaff (cloth) tape to use when sticking things together.
Black Gaffers Tape Small 2" x 12 yd Set Shop

finally... manual triggers.. i have a cheap set and they're maddening... i can't recommend a specific product. But you CAN start with on camera TTL and use the tilt/swivel of the flash with bounce cards for an off camera effect.

All of this will be a learning odyssey and a work in progress. frustrating and rewarding... more frustration early, more reward later.

 

[nycphotography]

Honestly, for xmas, at or near your budget, I'd get:

1x the better vivitar (or equivalent) flash ( _IF_ it's a well regarded flash, then trust me, it's a great starter when used on camera, and it will move off camera and remain useful).
1 set rechargeable AA's.
some smaller white foamcore (or poster board if you can't find foamcore at dick blicks)
some smaller black foamcore (or poster board)

That, with the book, should be enough to get her started.

(I personally find that once I start using flash, I never touch the tripod. I'd rather have a light stand or two for holding those bounce and gobo cards.)

 

[Zrab11]

I dunno canon so much... I'm mostly Nikon and u43. Unfortunately, a good canon brand TTL flash can run $300 and up. An older model canon, used on ebay should be well under $150. The canon guys should be able to help with specifics.

However you can get a third party a TTL speedlight for $80-90 from a reputable dealer (bounce AND swivel are critical here). You'd have to ask around to see how good these are, but I think these should be really good for the intended use. Vivitar has been around forever and they aren't "crap".
Vivitar DF-293 Digital TTL Auto-Focus Flash f/Canon TTL VIV-DF-293-CAN
or Vivitar DF-383 Digital TTL Shoe Mount Auto-Focus Flash f/Canon VIVDF383CAN

You can start with one, then add a second when you want more advanced lighting.

Smooth White Foamcore is (usually) available at an art supply in 4'x8' sheets (1/4" thick minimum) for around $20-30. Cut one 4x8 sheet down into 2 4x2 sheets, 2 2x2 sheets and 2 16x24 sheets and 2 8x24 strips. You now have a complete set of bounce cards in a nice size for lighting table top sets.

Flat Black foamcore can be used as a gobo. A sheet of it can be cut down using the same plan.

Someone near you should know where you can buy it.... a SMALL LOCAL framing shop may be willing to sell some out of their supplies, or even order some on for you with their next supply order. Set shop sells single sheets... dunno how they ship them
foamcore, bead board, foam board, gator board, Black and Whte Foamcore Set Shop

White ripstop you can easily get online
White 30 Denier Double Silicone Coated Ripstop

$3 worth of ripstop, some cardboard, white gloss and flat black spray paint, and some gaff tape, and you have a softbox. Not a very flexible one for high productivity studio work, but definitely one you can learn with.
diy softbox light - Bing

you can make 1/2 PVC frames for $10.
1/2 pvc scrim frame how to - Bing
and use spring clamps to hold it in place
10 piece Plastic Spring Clamp Set - Amazon.com

These light stands are more than sturdy enough for speed lights...
Flashpoint 7.2' Air Cushioned Black 3-Section Lightstand FT2600B
and you can spring clamp bounce cards and gobos to them as well.

Finally, a roll of black and white gaff (cloth) tape to use when sticking things together.
Black Gaffers Tape Small 2" x 12 yd Set Shop

finally... manual triggers.. i have a cheap set and they're maddening... i can't recommend a specific product. But you CAN start with on camera TTL and use the tilt/swivel of the flash with bounce cards for an off camera effect.

All of this will be a learning odyssey and a work in progress. frustrating and rewarding... more frustration early, more reward later.

Wow thanks for putting so much time into this post.. A lot of good info here.. I guess my only question is if I get the vivitar flash u recommended( Vivitar DF-293 Digital TTL Auto-Focus Flash f/Canon TTL VIV-DF-293-CAN )

Do you recommend this be used "on her camera", off her camera on a stand of some sort(Flashpoint 7.2' Air Cushioned Black 3-Section Lightstand FT2600B) or inside a softbox of some kind? Also would i need to buy a off Camera TTL Flash Cord trigger like shown here http://www.amazon.com/Off-Camera-Trigger-SB-900-SB-800-SB-400/dp/B007UMOPO8

Also is the extra flash gonna make up for the bad inside lighting issue or am I still gonna need an extra softbox or umbrella light of some kind? Like this http://www.adorama.com/FPSSB.html?u...iate&utm_campaign=Other&utm_source=cj_3849199


Also do u recommend DIY softbox and lighting as places charge to much for a product that's simply made. Or are there some lighting at stores that you fill is worth the money?

Are these a total waste of money?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/JULIUS-STUD...ltDomain_0&hash=item27c74b23ff#ht_4246wt_1270

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JULIUS-STUD...A%2BFICS%2BUFI&otn=21&pmod=251183644891&ps=54

Thanks for all the help soo far

 

[nycphotography]

if you're going to buy the cord, you should consider this flash... (i googled canon wireless ttl and this was near the top).

Vivitar DF-483-CAN Wireless TTL LCD Flash for Canon DF483CAN B&H

find out of your body will work wirelessly with this flash. (you can call b&h or adorama and they will be able to tell you).

If so, then you are all set.

As to the softboxes... they are all good. but they are hot lights, not strobe. And the flourescent won't be "dimmable". they seem better for video than still.

The diy stuff was more because 1) you claimed a hard budget, and 2) it lets you experiment and learn a few dollars at a time. Buying lights is more money at once in bigger chunks. if you have the money all at once, the TTL wireless vivitar ($150) plus something like this softbox ($35) plus a light stand (above) might be a really good starting point.

And it can do more than just food too.

(sorry for being all over the map on the vivitar units... i really dont use ttl in the studio, and don't really know what does what with canon).