Canon Flash Help

[Txmason]

Howdy!

I'm Jerry and I currently have a Canon 550EX Flash that I use with a Canon 40D EOS camera. I would like to start to explore off camera lighting. However, holding a flash with my left hand is very difficult. I have looked at a few options:

1. Use a camera with a flash bracket and flash mounted on top?
- Which is a good flash bracket to use? I have a battery grip on my 40D
- I have looked at:
Demb Flash Products - Flash Modifiers - Flash Reflectors Diffusers and Brackets - Flip-it! - Flip-it! 400 - Demb Flash Diffusers - Demb Flash Bracket
Camera Brackets - Flash Backets - Camera Accessories - Custom Brackets


2. Which is a good secondary flash to get, the Canon 580EXII or the new Canon 430 EXII? Or another type of flash?

3. Will I need radio transmitters to make it work?
- how many?
- What kind?
- How much?

4. I have two lightstands I can mount the flashes to
- Now what?

[John]

I went with CowboyStudio which is the cheap candy store route. I have not been disappointed in their products.

CowboyStudio Photography Lighting | Studio Equipment | Studio Accessories

[MT Stringer]

If you want to retain the ETTL, you could consider an off shoe cord like the one sold by FlashZebra.com. It comes in several lengths.
Off shoe cord for Canon

Wireless triggers available include the RF-602 model, Cybersync (Paul C Buff), EL SKyports (Elinchrome). All of these just send a signal to fire the flash. You have to manually adjust the flash settings on the flash (or strobe) itself.

Hope this helps.
Mike

[JWCustomPhotography]

Originally Posted by MT Stringer

If you want to retain the ETTL, you could consider an off shoe cord like the one sold by FlashZebra.com. It comes in several lengths.
Off shoe cord for Canon

Wireless triggers available include the RF-602 model, Cybersync (Paul C Buff), EL SKyports (Elinchrome). All of these just send a signal to fire the flash. You have to manually adjust the flash settings on the flash (or strobe) itself.

Hope this helps.
Mike

What I did, when I wanted to make sure ocf was for me, and thought I needed ettl, I took my 3 foot coiled flash cable, cut it in half and added cat 5 cable female plugs. Then whatever length cable I need I just use a cat 5 cable works great.


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[Noe]

Some suggestions:
1. Have not used a bracket, so I will see what the others have to say

2. I recently purchased the lumopro 160. No E-TTL, so I use them off camera and do manual settings. Strobist website has a lot of information on lighting. I ordered the DVD set they have there and really like it.

3. I purchased the Cactus V5 receiver/transceiver. They are pretty awesome, again I have to set the flashed manually.

4. I have two lightstands I can mount the flashes to
If you have the clamps,then practice, practice, and then practice some more. Strobist.com is a good sight to get you started. I usually just use my of my girls or objects around the house to practice.

You might also consider either an umbrella or a softbox.

[Txmason]

Are there transcievers/recievers I can use so you don't have to set the flashes manually? I"m guessing it has to be wireless like a pocket wizard?

[John]

Originally Posted by Txmason

Are there transcievers/recievers I can use so you don't have to set the flashes manually? I"m guessing it has to be wireless like a pocket wizard?

Here is a little video on the cheap ones that I bought. They are pretty simple and cheap. I have the transmitter and three receivers. All told, I think they cost me something like $50-$60. You have a lot of choices out there that range from cheap to expensive. I wasn’t sure that I would latch on to the studio deal, so I went cheap.

YouTube - How to use our NP4 wireless flash trigger for your Canon or Nikon Speedlite - CowboyStudio.com

[Dangineer]

If i'm not mistaken, the only wireless transmitter that will preserve TTL information (other than the pocketwizard one) is the Canon ST-E2, which is about $240, lame. It's not even radio; it uses infrared so you have to keep the flash within line of sight.

I'm sort of in the same boat. I have a 580EX and a 60D. The camera can use the pop-up flash to transmit ETTL to the 580 and i can control everything from the camera. I can also choose whether i want to include the pop-up flash in the exposure for fill light or whatever. Pretty cool, haven't experimented that much yet though. Basically it's like the ST-E2 built in to the camera. I think this feature was new with the 7D, but don't quote me on that. However, the line-of-sight issues are the same and the range of the pop-up flash is limited so it's not a permanent solution.

Basically, you need to decide how important it is to you to be able to use ETTL. If it is, and you are okay with using a cord, go that route. Otherwise I'd just bite the bullet and get the pocketwizard system. Being able to use ETTL and not worry about line of sight is the holy grail, and they make you pay for it.

Going manual will save you money and stress, but it's just a slower learning curve (as others have said, the strobist site and community are amazing resources). I'm still not sure which route i'm gonna go with. I'll probably pick up a 2nd speedlite and play around with my current setup before choosing a trigger system.

[arich]

Originally Posted by Dangineer

If i'm not mistaken, the only wireless transmitter that will preserve TTL information (other than the pocketwizard one) is the Canon ST-E2, which is about $240, lame. It's not even radio; it uses infrared so you have to keep the flash within line of sight.

Radio Poppers can as well

[Txmason]

If I bought a second flash, do I have to buy a pocket wizard right away? Can I fire the other flash without a PW?

[JWCustomPhotography]

Originally Posted by Txmason

If I bought a second flash, do I have to buy a pocket wizard right away? Can I fire the other flash without a PW?

You can probably get away without it, if you don't mind cussing and screaming out of frustration when it's bright outside or you don't have them pointed enough at each other.


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