The first, and cheapest, is a PC Sync Cable. These cables come with a small block that either attaches to a port on your camera or to the hot shoe, then runs out to your speedlight and either plugs into a port there or another hot shoe. They run less than $20 for 20' cables.
The second is CyberSync by Paul C. Buff. This is the same company that makes Alien Bees and White Lightning strobes. These remote units are small, lightweight, and easy to use. They will run you about $150 for a pair and work very nicely.
The third, most expensive, but also most reliable option is Pocket Wizard. I have 8 of these, but they cost you about $300 for a pair. The nice thing about Pocket Wizard is they have the option for just $15 to have a private, unique transmit and receive code programmed in so that you will never be crossing signals with another photographer (it has happened to me often).
And while @moncooga makes a good point about the life-expectancy of speedlights versus strobes, you have much more than that to consider. Strobes require electrical outlets to function, limiting them on location. They are heavier, bulkier, and next to impossible to carry on a day trip or for long distances.
If you want light, simple, and portable go with speedlights. If you don't walk far, always shoot indoors near outlets, and have plenty of time for setup and breakdown, go with strobes.
I think for the reasons you've outlined, I'm going to go with the speedlight 430ex and later on if I want to use several then I'll pick up a 580ex because it can act as a master flash and control the others. It's pretty much for my foray into the world of flash photography and what can be done, I want to get creative but don't yet know how far I'll take it.
The cables sound good for the moment. If I buy a cable that goes from my camera to the flash, then am I right in thinking that when the camera shutter button is pressed then it will trigger the flash. Basically, if I buy a cheap remote to trigger the shutter on my camera and then wire the flash to my camera will this work? Obviously not as good as a pocket wizard but I may get one eventually. It's just for experimentation really.
I just can't justify shelling out for all this stuff at once so I'll just have to go with the PC cable, the flash itself, umbrella and flash tripod for starters and I should be good to go :-)
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May I make a suggestion...
Speedlights for off camera are fine, but they have a shorter life than a studio strobe.
I could image that buying a 530Ex (do you mean 580?) an umbrella, stand and a pocket wizard will set you back at least $600.
You could easily buy a 2 or 3 light 160wps kit with umbrellas, stands, and a wireless trigger that are mobile for the same price or less.
Something to think about.
The first, and cheapest, is a PC Sync Cable. These cables come with a small block that either attaches to a port on your camera or to the hot shoe, then runs out to your speedlight and either plugs into a port there or another hot shoe. They run less than $20 for 20' cables.
The second is CyberSync by Paul C. Buff. This is the same company that makes Alien Bees and White Lightning strobes. These remote units are small, lightweight, and easy to use. They will run you about $150 for a pair and work very nicely.
The third, most expensive, but also most reliable option is Pocket Wizard. I have 8 of these, but they cost you about $300 for a pair. The nice thing about Pocket Wizard is they have the option for just $15 to have a private, unique transmit and receive code programmed in so that you will never be crossing signals with another photographer (it has happened to me often).
And while @moncooga makes a good point about the life-expectancy of speedlights versus strobes, you have much more than that to consider. Strobes require electrical outlets to function, limiting them on location. They are heavier, bulkier, and next to impossible to carry on a day trip or for long distances.
If you want light, simple, and portable go with speedlights. If you don't walk far, always shoot indoors near outlets, and have plenty of time for setup and breakdown, go with strobes.
I think for the reasons you've outlined, I'm going to go with the speedlight 430ex and later on if I want to use several then I'll pick up a 580ex because it can act as a master flash and control the others. It's pretty much for my foray into the world of flash photography and what can be done, I want to get creative but don't yet know how far I'll take it.
The cables sound good for the moment. If I buy a cable that goes from my camera to the flash, then am I right in thinking that when the camera shutter button is pressed then it will trigger the flash. Basically, if I buy a cheap remote to trigger the shutter on my camera and then wire the flash to my camera will this work? Obviously not as good as a pocket wizard but I may get one eventually. It's just for experimentation really.
Would this cable do the job: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lastolite-Camera-Flash-Cords-Single/dp/B002L6G9CO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1297441156&sr=8-1
I just can't justify shelling out for all this stuff at once so I'll just have to go with the PC cable, the flash itself, umbrella and flash tripod for starters and I should be good to go :-)