.

It's the aperture setting on your camera you change. The flash is the light source, which you can vary, the aperture the exposure, depending on available light, shutter settings are likley to be close or at the max sync speed.
 
but if im not using the flash on the camera how would the camera relay exposure info to the flash unless i set it myself?
 
it will be ebay slaves.
im trying to figure everything out before i spend more money
 
Also must add, on the picture the f number on the flash is what the camera is set out when the flash is in ETTL mode. In this mode the flash works out the exposure based on the setting on the camera, and emits the amount of light it thinks is correct. (measured by a very quick pre flash reading to gain an exposure value)
 
I seem to think your going to set the flash closer to the action and use a longer lens away from the action. With a transmitter (canon st-e2) you still retain full ETTL, so you don't have to set manual unless you really want to.
If your close to the action, with a shortish (upto 105mm) lens, you should still be ok with the flash mounted on the hotshoe.
 
what your looking for is to set the lens aperture to the result of the calculation based on the distance from the bike/board divided by the flash's guide number.

Phewwwwww :)

Or......press the mode button to M and select a power output that gives good results for the setting you've decided on for the camera.

What menu's are shown when you select slave on the flash?.....i've never looked at mine :D

Will the 430 work with the ebay slaves ok?
I'm looking for a way to fire my 430
 
natjag said:
With a transmitter (canon st-e2) you still retain full ETTL, so you don't have to set manual unless you really want to.
Click to expand...

But i cant afford the st-e2, and im sure the ebay slaves wont keep the ettl working.

digitalfailure said:
what your looking for is to set the lens aperture to the result of the calculation based on the distance from the bike/board divided by the flash's guide number.

Phewwwwww :)

Or......press the mode button to M and select a power output that gives good results for the setting you've decided on for the camera.

What menu's are shown when you select slave on the flash?.....i've never looked at mine :D

Will the 430 work with the ebay slaves ok?
I'm looking for a way to fire my 430
Click to expand...

When i select slave i get exposure compensation; slave A, B and C; and channel 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Im sure the ebay slaves work with the 430



Sorry to go back again, but how would i atleast view the same display as in the picture with the f-number displayed?

Im sorry to keep on with the questions. :(
 
Matthew

It's probably a photoshoped image so the display looks nice on the advertising shots.

The camera transmits the ap value as part of the E-TTL data

I've found a copy of the user guide online if you haven't got it.
All it says for manual operation is to set the power as desired.
 
Thanks for that, ive had a fiddle and found that that display is a custom function that displays the aperture rather than the maximum flash range.

I guess setting the wireless flash is more of a trial an error thing.

Thank you for all the help you two.
Sorry for all the questions!

Now ive got all that sorted i can go out and have a play, wish me good luck, im sure ill need it at some point!
 
You can divide the aperture into the Guide No to give the correct distance. or...

You can divide the distance at which you want to work into the Gude No to give the correct aperture.

This method is used with a flashgun which puts out a consistent amount of power every time, i.e. a manual flashgun. It's not necessary for settings to be relayed from the camera to the flash or vice versa.

Set the Flash to M (Manual)Mode - not ETTL.

In ETTL mode there's no point in using Guide Nos at all.

Hope that helps. :)
 
By the way DF, ive just been looking around google at ebay slave reviews.
There the cactus pt-04's. Apparently the v1's had a fault with canon speedlites and they made the flash lock up after each flash fired; but theyre supposedly fixed now.
 
Cheers for the info Matthew

If you get them, would you mind penning a quick review?
 
Yeah ill deffinately let you know how i get on with them.
For the time being, i found this review which is pretty detailed.
 
I've got 2 of the eBay PT-04s about 3 months ago (not marked as Cactus but do read PT-04 and look identical) and I fire a 430 and an old Sunpak 4000 zoom with them.

I've not had any problems with them not firing or with the flash not recycling - the only problem is they randomly fire without being triggered (I'm guessing by some form of radio interference)

They aren't sturdy by any stretch of the imagination, but what do you expect for the money...

No ETTL, but doesn't take long to get a decent exposure with experience and a few trial shots.
 
MrGrumpy said:
I've not had any problems with them not firing or with the flash not recycling - the only problem is they randomly fire without being triggered (I'm guessing by some form of radio interference)
Click to expand...

Yeah I got one a while back (pt-04 not cactus) and although I did get miss fires with 580ex when working near my cordless phone :shrug: after changing the channel that no longer happens. No ettl but great range and works round corners etc. Great price too!
 
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