580ex ii off camera

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kerryannduffy

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kerry
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Im hoping someone can help me here as my mind is completely boggled!!!

I have a Canon 50d with a 580ex ii flash. I want to use this off camera but have been reading up on what I need and everyone seems to have a problem using it off camera?

Please talk to me in very basic terms as lighting is not my strong point.:bonk:

Thanks so much in advance.

Kerry
www.kerryannduffy.com
 
Hi Kerry, :welcome: to TP :wave:

The easiest way to use your flash off-camera is a TTL cord or a set of wireless triggers (manual only), both options cost from around £20
 
kerryannduffy said:
I have a Canon 50d with a 580ex ii flash. I want to use this off camera but have been reading up on what I need and everyone seems to have a problem using it off camera?
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As above, you need a cord or radio triggers.

I've had no real problems using my 580EXII off camera, using either a cord or radio triggers. The only gripe I've had is that Canon's OC-E3 cord could do to be longer... though longer cords are more available now than they seemed to be when I bought mine.
 
john_s said:
As above, you need a cord or radio triggers.

I've had no real problems using my 580EXII off camera, using either a cord or radio triggers. The only gripe I've had is that Canon's OC-E3 cord could do to be longer... though longer cords are more available now than they seemed to be when I bought mine.
Click to expand...

The genuine OC-E3 is 0.5m, the aftermarket ones come in 1.8, 3.6 and 10m (:nuts:) lengths
 
I got some cheap radio triggers from e-bay, they do the job for what I want to do (mainly indoors, flash not far from the camera). For some reason they don't work with my remote shutter release :(

You just stick the little transmitter on the camera hotshoe, and there's a little reciever which slots on to the flash gun. It's as easy as that.
 
I think there have been a few posts indicating queries with the Canon speedlite range but the 580EXII has always been the leading example of how they should work.

Forget ETTL and go the manual route with radio triggers. Perhaps a slightly frustrating learning curve but once you get it the results are well worth it. RF602's do me well.
 
Marcus Geezer said:
...Forget ETTL and go the manual route with radio triggers. Perhaps a slightly frustrating learning curve but once you get it the results are well worth it. RF602's do me well.
Click to expand...

:agree:

A decent set of radio triggers is definitely the way to go... I've found the RF-602's to be solidly reliable and they've certainly not let me down! :)

Si
 
Or Canon's STE-2 if you've got some crinkly stuff.
 
I've had a set of RF-602 for couple of months and I am really pleased with compatibility with the 580EX II. They have never misfired. I haven't tested the range outside so cannot comment on that aspect.
 
I've used the RF-602s through brick walls, and never had a single misfire. Largest distance used so far - 30m in a large hall, no line of sight to the receiver - worked perfect. I hear that some people have had issues with build quality - so the best bet is to buy from a UK importer - it's easier to return them than buying from HK. That said, mine are rock solid (and I'm clumsy).
 
Another bigup for the RF602's, I got mine fro phoebeg or something like that from Hong Kong, took a while to get here probably due to bank holidays and ash clouds but they have worked perfectly so far, I also got an OC-E3 compatible cord from HK no problems either. I have used the triggers through the floor and walls in the house, pointing out the upstairs windows and shooting from the kitchen through the window. The things you do to play with new toys.
 
My STE-2 works fine outdoors and allows full control of your flashgun from the camera with it off camera, BUT has a limited range, nothing more than about 5 meters. As such it's great for indoor studio work.

For longer range stuff I've also got the RF602's which are great. I've used them shooting over 60m away (long lens to shorten distances), however it is manual at that point and you'll possibly have to start knocking down the power, especially if trying to match a different flashgun.
 
I'd buy one of flash in the pan's really small lightstands, a set of rf602's a dual duty umbrella and an umbrella adapter

all can come from graham (I think re brolly) but don't get the ball head umbrella adapters as they're *****
 
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