Can I make this flashgun flash off the camera?

Plugus Maximus

Plugus Maximus

Suspended / Banned
Messages
273
Edit My Images
Yes
I've been reading an article in a magazine which refers to the Jessops Flashgun 100m (which only costs £7.99).

I would like to fire it manually off the camera for some light painting long exposure shots. Is this possible? Do I just press a button to fire it while I walk around with it?:thinking:
 
Assuming it has a "test" button, yes this is possible.
 
Yep that's the technique - just keep moving so you don't register in the shot 'Open Flash' it's usually called.
 
ooo thats interesting, what is a 'PC Cord/Lead' though? :|
 
PC cords are as old as the hills Jimmy and actually pre-date camera hot shoes, when the flash shoe was just a mount for the flashgun with no electrical connections at all. It's a simple way of firing a flashgun from a long way off camera, and the cords come in all different lengths. Each end has a little circular plug about 1/4" in diameter. One end plugs into the flash and one end into a socket on the camera body.

At one time the PC socket on the camera was standard on all cameras, but with the advent of hot shoes and more and more dedication, the socket has tended to be dropped in favour of the hot shoe on most entry and prosumer level bodies, while pro bodies tend to still have both.

On the 1 Series Canons the PC socket is the top socket on the side of the camera under the rubber cover. The 20D hasn't got one. The 580EX has a PC socket under it's rubber cover on the side.

If your camera doesn't have a PC cord, you can get hot shoe/ PC cord adapters though.

I think the PC bit just means Patch Cord which has come to be a universal term for connecting cables for computers and audio etc, but if yiou asked for a flash sync cord it would be just the same thing.
 
if you want to do light painting use a torch .one that puts out a spot rather than a wide angle of light .
 
I did this technique many years ago. The problem with flash is getting the exposure even. It's a lot easier with tungsten light as you get an idea of the amount of light going down.

Trick is to wear black. medium to light colours can show you up as a ghost image. Good idea to work with a friend. As you will have your back to the camera, to prevent light spill, you can't see where you are going. The second person can keep an eye out for obstructions you may fall over.

I'd tend to use a more powerful flash gun though than the inexpensive Jessops one, as depending on the size of the room you can need a lot of light. However for a trial it may be OK. Make sure there is no additional light that may affect the exposure. However some accent lighting can help, for example turning on wall lights for a short period of time can give a pleasing effect.

Experiment is the name of the game, and do keep notes

Have fun
 
CT said:
The 20D hasn't got one. The 580EX has a PC socket under it's rubber cover on the side.
Click to expand...

CT, you sure about that?

I could have sworn my old 20d had a pc socket on the side next to the remote release terminal :thinking:
 
CT said:
I think the PC bit just means Patch Cord which has come to be a universal term for connecting cables for computers and audio etc, but if yiou asked for a flash sync cord it would be just the same thing.
Click to expand...

I read somewhere, I think, that PC stood for a pair of names - the names of the people responsible for designing the interface. Can't find it now though!
 
digitalfailure said:
CT, you sure about that?

I could have sworn my old 20d had a pc socket on the side next to the remote release terminal :thinking:
Click to expand...

Actually you're dead right DF -I was only lifting the top half of the cover. :D
 
ooo it looks like the 40D has one of these sockets too :D might have to have a play. Any idea if you can get splitters to fire more than one flash?
 
Seen a few adapter/splitters on ebay which could be fun :D

Something to remember when I have paid off my 40D etc :p
 
CT said:
Actually you're dead right DF -I was only lifting the top half of the cover. :D
Click to expand...

I thought i'd used it on a studio course I did just after I got the 20.

The 5 deffo has it because I bought a cord to run the flash....i must get round to trying it :lol:
 
Thanks peeps for you great responses! Very helpful indeed ...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top