Just need some quick advice here, I'm a strobist beginner and looking for a simple setup to use with either an umbrella or softbox, using a single 580EX II for the moment. I've been recommended the Manfrotto Nano 5001b with the 026 adapter but wondering if it's overkill for just starting out, the other alternative is one of the starving strobist kits or possibly the Westcott umbrella/softbox kit from Image Melbourne.

My usual approach has been to buy mid to high spec once rather than buy cheap and need to upgrade, but the little voice in my head is saying that maybe it's worth looking at cheaper options for this and put the savings towards a better quality tripod/lenses.

Thoughts?