Some new gear!

My computer CRASHED 3 weeks ago so I haven't been around much, but I just had to tell someone and you were the first peeps that came to my mind(All of you that INSPIRED me intitially to get into photography).

I'm starting somewhat of a photography business. I recieved the contract to shoot the individual and team soccer pictures for a local high school(about 300-400 kids).

The big news is, I absolutely HAD to buy a few things,in which life couldn't be lived without.
Canon 580EX with Stofen omni-bounce.
Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM, hood, UV filter, circular polarizer and warming filter.

Sweeet Man. Always have to buy new gear. Congrats, with the contract. Hope all goes well.

You better get that flash dialed in before they all line up and you find out E-TTL 2 isn't everything Canon cracked it up to be!

I wonder if for the group shots you might want to add a second flash or at least get it off the camera.

I know that using a flash is all about how you use it. IF i use a flash for the soccer portraits, It'll only be fill. WHATAYAMEAN E-TTL 2 isn't everything it's cracked up to be! You mean you just can't crank up the flash and point the camera and expect it to do all the work?? Actually I've waited this long to get a flash cause I've been learning what low aperture with natural light can do. So I decided I was going to get a wide 2.8 lens......but then I just went ahead and bought the flash also! yaaa!
I've got alot to experiment with on my vacation to hilton head next week!
Anybody want a used canon 28-105? Or maybe I should keep it to now that I have a flash?

Do you think you'll be able to get away with f2.8 on those group shots? I'm think your DOF will be too limited and you won't get all the kids in focus. I would be thinking f8 maybe f5.6 minimum. At least you got a wide enough lens, I think the 28mm on the 20D would have put you too far away for your flash to be any good at all. f2.8 should be good for the individual portraits.

I don't think the stofen will do you anygood outdoors either.

Just thinking out loud - not trying to be a know it all. You got the right idea though test-test-test. I watched (and paid!) for soccer/baseball team pics for years with my kids. I've never seen it done without some pretty elaborate lighting (off camera strobes-reflectors-power bricks)

Ditch the 28-105 (I forgot they even made that lens LOL), after you use the 17-55 you probably won't want it.

And let us know what settings you end up using. I gotta hand it to you, you picked a hell of a job to start your photography business with!

Ya, I'm SURE I won't be using 2.8 for the team shots. MAYBE for the individuals, but we'll see.

Are your kids soccer/baseball pics taken outside? I've never had a sports photographer shoot my kids with lights.?. I actually thought about buying an Alien bee studio setup, but thought I would keep it simple at first(that'll be my next purchase). I'll be shooting on a sunny day in the shade of a huge tree by the soccer fields. I also already have an assistant lined up to help with forms and posing.

Always outside and always with lights but then again the same company had all the contracts over the years, always shot with film and was always expensive. There's always room for a better way, just make sure you're dialed for the conditions and I'm sure it will be great.