Dummies guide to RF-602 and off camera flashes

[ShawWellPete]

I have just got a set of RF-602 triggers from here.

I have a couple of questions about using them and rather then clogging up the sales thread I thought I would start off a new one. Please feel free to give any advice on using these triggers here as I am sure many people, like me, have taken advantage of Flash in the Pan's recent ads and bought some.

My first question was for a dummies guide to which tdodd (Tim) kindly replied

Getting started
Insert batteries.

Firing off camera flash
1. Fit transmitter unit to camera hotshoe.
2. Set flash to manual mode.
3. Turn on the receiver unit and fit hotshoe flash to receiver.
4. Shoot.
5. Remember to turn off the receiver unit when you've finished shooting.

Changing channels
You may find you need to change channels if there is interference or someone else with the same triggers nearby and using the same channel, but mine were fine just as supplied. You change channels simply by flicking the little switches - just like binary on/off toggles - so if 0000 doesn't do it for you then just try 0001 or 0010 etc.. Just make sure the switch positions match on the sender and all receivers.

Remote shutter release
For remote shutter release you use the supplied lead (must be the correct plug type for your camera body) to connect from the receiver unit to the camera's remote trigger socket. You can, for convenience, mount the receiver into the camera's hotshoe to stop it flapping about. You keep hold of the trigger unit as your remote trigger.

Remote release plus off camera flash
If you have multiple receivers, but only one trigger, you cannot use the system to release remotely and also fire off camera flashes because the trigger pulse will fire the flash instantly, before the camera has had a chance to lift the mirror and get the shutter curtain open. The solution to this problem is to have two triggers and two receivers, each pair operating on different channels. That way you can use the remote release setup to release the shutter but the flash will not fire immediately. Instead you fit the second trigger to your camera (on another frequency) and use that to trip the off camera flash as in the earlier section about off camera flash.

I have a couple more questions

1. I have an SB-900 which mounts perfectly on the receiver, is there a way of locking the receiver onto the flash stand that comes with the flash? (AS-21) as it is very unstable when you just slide it on.

2. The flash obviously doesn't allow me to choose TTL as an option when off camera in this way, but it does allow me to choose RPT and A as well as M. The RPT I know is for multiple flashes, any idea why or how I would use A?

3. In manual mode I have the option of setting the aperture and the focal length as well as the power. What do these settings do?

Until now I have done all flash work using iTTL and exposure compensations so any advice would be very welcome.

 

[tdodd]

1. Same problem with my 580EX and its little stand. I think a bit of tape or a thin wedge of paper or card just to tighten the fit is about all you can do.

2. That's Nikon specific, so I'm afraid I can't help.

3. At a guess (sounds very Nikon specific again), setting focal length tells the flash how much to zoom the head in order to get maximum power for the area you need covered. Setting aperture (presumably as well as ISO) lets the flash forecast the distance it can cover for that combination of focal length, aperture, ISO and power, so you have an idea what settings would be about right.

 

[ShawWellPete]

Thanks Tim

 

[derrycity]

not sure how these work but is it possible to still mount my flash and still use the reciever and transmiter and have 2 flashguns to the lhs and rhs or am i expecting to much ?

 

[HoppyUK]

1. I have an SB-900 which mounts perfectly on the receiver, is there a way of locking the receiver onto the flash stand that comes with the flash? (AS-21) as it is very unstable when you just slide it on.

Get a Stroboframe coldshoe from FITP and swap it over. I think he does them for only two quid or so.

They have a jaw like a vice, and so can be tightened up to hold any foot securely. They are just like a mini version of an Arca-Swiss quick-release tripod platform if you are familar with those. Quite nicely made little jobbies.