Little niggly things I dont understand about Canon flash

[Raptor Mike]

So I'm getting into portraits and because of this it has opened the minefield that is flash.

I have a Canon 60D and a Canon 430EX II. At the moment I'm using just one flash but at some point I'd like to progress to two and as so many 430EX II's keep poping up on here for sale I thought I'd ask some quaestions

My questions are:

• Why would remote triggers be better than using the in built flash to trigger off camera?
  
• I notice it says in my manual that for a master I need something like the 580EX II. Why can that be a mater and not another 430 if the slave is being fire by sensing flash? It seems strange that you an use the pop-up to tell a slave to fire but not another 430, or have I got completely the wrong end of the stick.

So am I better of with one 430 and one 580 or higher, or two 430's and remote triggers, or two 430's and just use the pop-up flash to trigger?

Thanks tons, I hope I'm not being to much of a numpty
Mike

 

[Phil V]

The Canon 'near IR' wireless system needs a 5xx flash or the pop up (from a newer camera) as a commander, lower flashguns or older pop ups don't have the facility.

The 'near IR' system needs line of site to communicate, wireless triggers use radio waves so are much more reliable.

My recommendation would be Yongnuo 622c tx, 2 YN622c's and another 430 exII. (Or try a Yongnuo flash instead of the Canon).

 

[Raptor Mike]

The Canon 'near IR' wireless system needs a 5xx flash or the pop up (from a newer camera) as a commander, lower flashguns or older pop ups don't have the facility.

The 'near IR' system needs line of site to communicate, wireless triggers use radio waves so are much more reliable.

My recommendation would be Yongnuo 622c tx, 2 YN622c's and another 430 exII. (Or try a Yongnuo flash instead of the Canon).

Ahhhhhh
Thanks Phil

 

[HoppyUK]

Good advice from Phil, YN622 is a good way to go, but actually your Canon 60D's pop-up flash has remote Mastering capability. It should be pretty reliable indoors.