Off camera flash

[saul01]

Hi All,

I have just come into photography, and would like to ask when using a Canon 580exii as the master flash on camera, do the slave flashes have to be Canon also, or will any third party flash be okay.

My theory is 2 umbrella flash, and the master on camera.

Thanks

Saul.

 

[Gr8Shot]

Others will do.
Yongnuo 560II work as off camera with rf-603 remote triggers or as a slave flash which react to the prime flash

 

[saul01]

Others will do.
Yongnuo 560II work as off camera with rf-603 remote triggers or as a slave flash which react to the prime flash

Thank you for the reply, will the above mentioned work alongside my 5D, as they all seem to be for other models.

Saul

 

[Phil V]

It depends what conditions you'll be working in?

An on camera 580exII will fire OCF's using the Canon (near) IR control system. If you want to work at great distances, or outside in daylight, you'll want to go with radio triggers, if you want ETTL control, you'll need the Yongnuo 622s, if you are happy with Manual get the cheaper YN 603s.

But the smarter triggers aren't just for ETTL, a lot of people forget the great convenience of being able to set Manual ratios from the camera position. I'm assuming 5d II or III I'm not sure the YN622's will work with the mkI as there's no camera flash control menu.
If you want the convenience of smarter triggers without a camera menu, you might need to buy the Pocketwizard flex system.

 

[saul01]

It depends what conditions you'll be working in?

An on camera 580exII will fire OCF's using the Canon (near) IR control system. If you want to work at great distances, or outside in daylight, you'll want to go with radio triggers, if you want ETTL control, you'll need the Yongnuo 622s, if you are happy with Manual get the cheaper YN 603s.

But the smarter triggers aren't just for ETTL, a lot of people forget the great convenience of being able to set Manual ratios from the camera position. I'm assuming 5d II or III I'm not sure the YN622's will work with the mkI as there's no camera flash control menu.
If you want the convenience of smarter triggers without a camera menu, you might need to buy the Pocketwizard flex system.

Hi Phil,

Thank you for the advise. I will have to do a little research into your recommendations, as I own a Mark I.

Their main use will be used indoors, for portraits it's more for practice until I can afford a proper lighting kit.

Saul.

 

[saul01]

If I was to purchase the Yongnuo 622's, can I then do away with the umbrellas, and simply mount the flash pointing directly at the subject?

Saul

 

[Phil V]

If I was to purchase the Yongnuo 622's, can I then do away with the umbrellas, and simply mount the flash pointing directly at the subject?

Saul

No.

The triggers are to get the flashes to fire - but indoors the 580ex witll fire ETTL remote flashes using the near ir remote system, you can use Manual or ETTL and adjust the power from the 580ex controls (check the manual).

But much more important than getting the right amount of light, is getting attractive light. You should look at the Lencarta tutorial on modifiers, and see the difference between umbrellas softboxes, beauty dishes etc. I can't link from here.

 

[saul01]

No.

The triggers are to get the flashes to fire - but indoors the 580ex witll fire ETTL remote flashes using the near ir remote system, you can use Manual or ETTL and adjust the power from the 580ex controls (check the manual).

But much more important than getting the right amount of light, is getting attractive light. You should look at the Lencarta tutorial on modifiers, and see the difference between umbrellas softboxes, beauty dishes etc. I can't link from here.

Hi Phil,

Much appreciated for your time and help. Trying not to sound like a total idiot and newbie how does the near ir system work. Will the flashes simply sync? even if they are not same brand?

Saul

 

[Phil V]

Hi Phil,

Much appreciated for your time and help. Trying not to sound like a total idiot and newbie how does the near ir system work. Will the flashes simply sync? even if they are not same brand?

Saul

They have to be compatible, so for Canon they'll be labelled as ETTL or ETTL II compatible. Basically the flashgun makers reverse engineer the communication protocols (like they do for lenses).

Older flashguns won't work because Canon changed the metering completely (from the ez guns to the ex ones). The flashgun manual will then tell you how to set it up, the Yongnuo have different trigger modes.

But once the off camera flashguns are in ETTL slave mode, the 580ex can be used in Master mode to control them. I haven't used a YN flashgun, but the 580ex is capable of controlling 3 groups of flashguns so you can have the keylight to camera left shooting as (b)1/1 the on camera 580ex bounce off a reflector or the ceiling on (a)1/4 to add a little fill and a 3rd flash behind your subject giving a (c)1/2 powered rimlight with a snoot or a background accent etc.

All controlled with from the flashgun menu's. All of that in either ETTL or Manual mode (if the YN's support Manual in that way - I've not used them).