Off Camera Flash

[flyoverfred]

Hi all,

I usually do outdoor photography but now find a need to purchase at least one off camera flash. I have a canon 1D MKIV camera - any suggestions /advice on getting an ocf - I'd like to do this as cheaply as possible and I would like to trigger the flash/flashes with some sort of transmitter

Please help this confused photog !

[thumper]

What do you intend the OCF for? Do you want to be able to take advantage of ETTL, or will you just be shooting manually?

T. Sandlin
Victoria, TX
Pro Media Images

[flyoverfred]

Originally Posted by thumper

What do you intend the OCF for? Do you want to be able to take advantage of ETTL, or will you just be shooting manually?

T. Sandlin
Victoria, TX
Pro Media Images

I'm not too fussed about ETTL as I'd rather set the lights how I like them

[swjim]

Something like this would get you started nicely: Strobist Starving Student SC1 Lighting Kit

And, just in case you haven't seen this before, Lighting 101 at Strobist is a great place to help get started. Strobist: Lighting 101

[flyoverfred]

Yep seen those - the lumopro is tempting but i keep reading decent reviews about the YN- gear. Anyone got any experiences with them ?

[ronocnikral]

i say spill the cash for PW plus ii's. we've never had a misfire, unless the batteries were dead. worse case scenario, you can recoup a good amount of your investment if you dislike them.

we also use old nikon flashes, sb-28's. these have been great. and when you see your light stand blow over, it's not that pricey 580 exii.

a lumopro light stand and umbrella swivel and you are set.

just my 2 cents. i know you want cheap...but buy once, cry once.

[thumper]

Adrian:

I have all Canon Speedlites, but I have talked with folks using Yongnuo (FN) manual flashes, and they seem very happy with them. You can pick up YN-460 II units for under $50 bucks each on Amazon. You might also look at the LumPro LP 160 at Midwest Camera Exchange. They get very good reviews.

If you are only interested in manual flash, try the Cowboy Studio NPT-04 wireless triggers. I have a set I have been using for a few months with no problems. Not wanting to spring for PWs, I went with these triggers after a lot of research. I also bought a couple of the Cowboy Studio OCF umbrella flash kits. They are compact and lightweight. For how I use them at events, usually with lots of kids running around, they are great. And if damaged, I'm not out a lot of money.

A lifelong Canon shooter, it wasn't until about a year ago I started switching to ETTL speedlites, after a very experienced event/wedding photographer showed me how he used ETTL. That was an eye-opener. I had been working way to hard with manual setups at fast moving events. Morale: Consider getting at least one, even a used 430 series, a 550 or a 580. They pop up on the TPF boards regularly.

Summary: I use Canon Speedlites in ETTL mode when I have to move around a lot under varying lighting conditions. When I am in a controlled environment, I put the Speedlites on manual and use my NPT-04 wireless triggers.

T. Sandlin
Victoria, TX
Pro Media Images

[flyoverfred]

Originally Posted by thumper

Adrian:

I have all Canon Speedlites, but I have talked with folks using Yongnuo (FN) manual flashes, and they seem very happy with them. You can pick up YN-460 II units for under $50 bucks each on Amazon. You might also look at the LumPro LP 160 at Midwest Camera Exchange. They get very good reviews.

If you are only interested in manual flash, try the Cowboy Studio NPT-04 wireless triggers. I have a set I have been using for a few months with no problems. Not wanting to spring for PWs, I went with these triggers after a lot of research. I also bought a couple of the Cowboy Studio OCF umbrella flash kits. They are compact and lightweight. For how I use them at events, usually with lots of kids running around, they are great. And if damaged, I'm not out a lot of money.

A lifelong Canon shooter, it wasn't until about a year ago I started switching to ETTL speedlites, after a very experienced event/wedding photographer showed me how he used ETTL. That was an eye-opener. I had been working way to hard with manual setups at fast moving events. Morale: Consider getting at least one, even a used 430 series, a 550 or a 580. They pop up on the TPF boards regularly.

Summary: I use Canon Speedlites in ETTL mode when I have to move around a lot under varying lighting conditions. When I am in a controlled environment, I put the Speedlites on manual and use my NPT-04 wireless triggers.

T. Sandlin
Victoria, TX
Pro Media Images

Perfect answer !!! I think initially i'll go the manual way as the initial applications wont involve shooting people but areas - then i'll add the 580exii at some stage

thanks for your help folks

i'll probably back in an hour with more questions !!!!

[brad]

I'm using Cowboy Studio triggers and generic flashes and my only regret with going this less expensive route is that I cannot do high speed sync with them... otherwise, they rock. I use them in studio as well as on location.

[flyoverfred]

does anyone know if the YN- flashes are compatible with the 1D MKIV ?

[flyoverfred]

Originally Posted by brad

I'm using Cowboy Studio triggers and generic flashes and my only regret with going this less expensive route is that I cannot do high speed sync with them... otherwise, they rock. I use them in studio as well as on location.

HI Brad - can you send me a link of the triggers you use please ?

[brad]

These are the triggers I'm using now.. the only trouble I have with them is when the batteries start to get low, they are finicky... but they go back to solid as soon as I change them... my real world experience is the range is about 100 feet.

CowboyStudio Photography Lighting | Studio Equipment | Studio Accessories

[flyoverfred]

right i've decided on 2 x YN560 flashes which i will trigger using RF-603 ( when i can get them ) or the cactus V5

As far as stands/umbrellas etc are concerned i'm looking at either :

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...lla_Mount.html

or getting:

Amazon.com: LIGHT STANDS PRO HEAVY DUTY 7'6" SET OF TWO by PBL: Camera & Photo

Amazon.com: 44" White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover: Camera & Photo

and

Amazon.com: CowboyStudio Swivel Flash Bracket Umbrella Holder Studio Tilting Bracket for Nikon Canon E430 E580 SB600 SB800 SB900: Camera & Photo

advice on which way to go gratefully received

[cfortner]

I've got the YN-560 and just got my YN-460 along with the YN transmitter/reciever. So far couldn't be happier.

TexasPhotoForum.com: Photography: Yongnuo 2.4GHz Wireless Flash Trigger/Receiver and Shutter Remote for Canon 1D/5D/7D/10D/20D/30D/40D/50D DSLR

Ended up with 2 flashes, tm and 3 recievers for under $150. :)

[cfortner]

Actually, after looking at it, the one I found on the TPF Amazon store isn't the exact trigger/reciever I got. I ordered this one:

$18.40 - YongNuo YN-04 I Studio/Camera Flash Sync Trigger Remote Control - Photo & Camera

Still waiting on the second set of receivers to come in and I placed the order on 1/29!