Off camera flash shopping list

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Hunders

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Connor
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Hi guys.

I recently bought a Canon 7D and would like to get a 'first-steps' off-camera flash kit.

I'd like to get a 580 EX II but it's a bit pricey and I'm guessing a 430EX II would work wonders so I will probably go for that.

Other than what flash to buy I'm lost. I've got no idea what else I need to buy so that's where you guys can hopefully come in.

I'd like a list of things that are essential to purchase. I don't mind spending money where necessary but would be happy to use a 'budget' item if a more expensive one offers no significant improvement.

Cheers,
Connor.
 
What do you mean "off camera"

setup.jpg


More importantly is what you want to use it for as without knowing that an answer is impossible.

I also use Quantum batteries for my Hammerhead Metz, the Battery 2

My setup is wireless

Dsc_1248.jpg


Note that the lower right gun is Nikon dedicated used wireless with a Canon camera.
 
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By off camera I mean a flash on some sort of stand that I can position according to my needs.

It's needed for portraiture mainly.
 
Hunders said:
By off camera I mean a flash on some sort of stand that I can position according to my needs.

It's needed for portraiture mainly.
Click to expand...

But again what needs, a stand for a studio will be no good in the open and one for a hide will be no good in the sea, indoors, out, lightweight, durable, sturdy

Sounds daft but indoor portrait needs different than outdoor.

BUT dont under estimate the cheap ebay stands at £15, for the price they are good, and the £5 brollies also reasonable.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PROFESSIO...ghting_Light_Stands_Booms&hash=item3368f5969a

I have 2 of these that have been in the rain, snow, and left out at night, almost a throw away price.
 
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Well my needs are for a general set up that can be used both outdoors as well as inside so it has to be fairly portable as well as reasonably sturdy.
 
As my 7D comes with an on board wireless transmitter I'm guessing that in order for me to fire off the 430EX II I don't need to buy any other form of wireless trigger. Is that correct?
 
JJC, Ishoot, Yongything, all made by the same company I am told, as far as the triggers go, or same internal workings.

Personally having spend a sum on a 7D I wouldn't want a yongi flash on it. Personal choice, sorry.
 
I know this is going to sound silly but how do you attach the wireless trigger with the flash gun to a tripod, do they have the same fitment?
 
Some triggers (ones I linked to) have a standard tripod thread on the bottom of them so you screw them into either a tripod or a light stand (ebay £12.)
 
The 430EX II does work with the wireless transmitter on the 7D so I don't need any additional flash trigger system.

So how about securing the flash to the stand? Does it just screw on or something or do I need something extra?
 
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So what is that then? Why does it appear to take batteries?

Remember, you're talking someone who doesn't have a clue here :-)
 
Needs batteries because its wireless and the picture is showing it can fit onto a tripod :)
 
Hello Connor

There are two forms of off-camera flash exposure, manual and auto (e-ttl).

Both have their benefits, ETTL can be a godsend when required yet sometimes Manual can give the consistent result required. It really depends on the situation yet one person may prefer one over another. The benefit of the 7D is it has a built-in ETTL Speedlite Transmitter - to buy an official Canon one of these such as the ST-E2 would set you back £180ish - you already have that facility in the 7D.

You can go for a cheap manual wireless setup using radio triggers as shown above and you can effectively use any flashgun on these - albeit the power of the flash will need to balanced and adjusted with exposure manually.

For a basic setup, regardless of how you get the flash off camera you need typically two things...a stand and a bracket. Attach the flash to the bracket, attach the bracket to the stand.

I have just got a new stand from Cotswold (£27.99) to go along side my cheaper Konig (£9.99) stand. I'd recommend the Cotswold 100% over the Koing..its bigger, solid, air cushioned and no flex with the 42" shootthru and 580ex on it. I got the bracket from Cotswold too and it does a decent job as well.

Konig Stand
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Photograph...63NS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320341814&sr=8-1

or

Cotswold Stand
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150632751...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_2402wt_1270

and

Cotswold Bracket
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160584616...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_2439wt_1270
 
Hunders said:
I don't even know what it is though...
Click to expand...

Sorry Connor, it's a wireless receiver, the flash gun you chose will attach to the hot shoe on that little device while the other half of the wireless system (the transmitter) will be attached to the hot shoe on the camera.
 
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Shopping list:

Triggers - yongnuo rf603, Cactus v5, phottix Strato etc.... all are 'dumb' non-TTL triggers so have to set fladh power manually. Prices go from about £30 for a 603 trigger + receiver. This the cheap route most beginners take....

Stands - konig ones are about £15 each. Search on Amazon or 7dayshop for these

Tilt heads - amazon, speedgraphic, fleabay will have these. Ones with an umbrella shaft holder will be a tenner or so.

Batteries - Sanyo eneloops seem to be the rechargeable of choice. I use IKEA ones at ten for a quid.

Brollies and other modifiers..... This where you can loose yourself

Check out strobist.com - the lighting:101 section tells you everything :)
 
Ah right. Now I'm getting somewhere.

I assumed that the 430ex ii had a receiver built in. That's why I was getting confused! So, as an alternative to these 'dumb' receivers, what is an example of a 'smart' receiver that is E-TTL compatible?
 
Hunders said:
Ah right. Now I'm getting somewhere.

I assumed that the 430ex ii had a receiver built in. That's why I was getting confused! So, as an alternative to these 'dumb' receivers, what is an example of a 'smart' receiver that is E-TTL compatible?
Click to expand...

Pocketwizard Flex. Phottix Odin. Canon ST-E2 can control external Canon flashes. There are more but their names escape me :)
 
Hunders said:
Ah right. Now I'm getting somewhere.

I assumed that the 430ex ii had a receiver built in. That's why I was getting confused! So, as an alternative to these 'dumb' receivers, what is an example of a 'smart' receiver that is E-TTL compatible?
Click to expand...

It does...It can operate in a slave mode pg.2 section5 here http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/app/pdfs/quickguides/CDLC_Speedlite430EXII_QuickGuide.pdf

Buy a 430exII or equivelent that is Canon ETTL compatible.

You can buy pricier radio ETTL options, I think the market leader is Pocket Wizard followed by Radio Popper and recently a model under the Phottix brand.

Personally I'd get some cheap dumb radio triggers (rf602,rf603 and others) to use when the triggering or range requirements fall outwith the operating parameters of OEM ETTL.

Also you can shoot off camera manual with ETTL triggering (not exposure) so don't think you need to buy radio triggers specifically for manual shooting in the beginning.
 
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Hunders said:
Hi guys.

I'd like to get a 580 EX II but it's a bit pricey and I'm guessing a 430EX II would work wonders so I will probably go for that.
Click to expand...

Have a look at the yongnuo yn565, pretty darn close to the 580ex2 and a hell of a lot cheaper. Your 7d will trigger it, infact my next purchase will be the 565, even though I own a 430ex2, to start using a two flash setup!
 
With the 7D as you said you wont need a transmitter, if you use the canon 430.
The 430 also comes with a "foot" which when put on the bottom of the flash allows it to be screwed onto a tripod. This gives a way of using the flash with a tripod.

So first thing get the 430, put it on a cheap tripod and play with it. Then advance to a better sprigot to connect the flash to the tripod, and a diffuser probably.

Hope that helps :)

Allan

Didnt notice your reply RajKay - that looks good advice as well :)
 
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