Help with lighting

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dizzysmum

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Tina
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can someone please help me as I am very confused.
I am doing a btec level 2 course and am struggling with lighting. I can't afford to buy full lighting gear but do have a 580 ex flash gun, and a canon 60d. I have just bought a cable to enable me to get the flash gun off the hot shoe but would like to buy, a cheap, second flash to use as a slave. Unfortunately I havent got a clue as to what I should be buying. I want it to work off the camera as a slave but do I need another cable or will it work wirelessly, if I use it wirelessly what make and spec should I be looking for. There is so much stuff on the market and it all seems very technical when you are a beginner! Please help!! Tina
 
Hi Tina,

You don't need a cable at all with the 60D, check out page 139 of the manual http://saikat.guha.cc/ref/eos60d-im-en.pdf and it tell you about the wireless features. You can use something like the 430EXII or some of the other flash units from 3rd parties which offer to work with the Canon wireless system.

It will come down to what your budget is too, but make sure you get something with full manual controls. If you go to a good local shop they should let you have a try of a unit with your camera to make sure it does everything you expect.
 
That's a shame about the cable as I have already bought it. I thought that as the wireless activated the pop up flash I would need to use the cable and hot shoe adapter to stop the pop up going off! I keep being told not to use the pop up flash on the camera. My budget is very low and I can't really afford another canon flash so was looking for third party but someone said to make sure it had a sensor. What sort of sensor?? Could I use my cable on the slave flas?
 
It does use the on camera flash but if you use the correct option then this is only to trigger other flash guns rather than to illuminate the subject.

I'm not sure what they mean by a sensor, it could be they mean an optical trigger which is a light sensor so when it sees a flash it will fire. The problem with that is that you can't usually use the 60D as a trigger using its flash as this sets the other flash off before it is the right time.

I'm not sure of much outside of the Canon units so will let someone else come in with info on what else to consider.
 
Hi Tina , and welcome to the forum .
It all depends if you need E-TTL or you are going all manual . IF E-TTL you could try the nissin Di622mk11 or Di866mk11. There is even the Yongnuo YN-565EX . if you want to go manual the Yougnuo YN-460 II is a good starting point or the Yougnuo YN-560 .
Have a look at the links below for an idea of prices .
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/hkyongnuophotoequipment
http://www.premier-ink.co.uk/photographic/flash-guns/-c-60_414.html
I hope that this helps .
You maybe bettter asking this in talk lighting though to get afew more ideas
John .
 
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