Remotely Fired Flash

subseasniper

subseasniper

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Hey guys,

I am sure this topic has been covered before but I am looking for a remote way to fire a flash.

I have a Canon EOS 40D and am planning to get the speedlite 430EX.

However, I am refusing to shell out 130 quid or so on the Canon brand remote firing unit.

I have seen threads about the Skyports but they seem a bit too complicated for my needs. I am looking for something like the Canon unit, just a simple device to fire a flash (and hopefully maintain eTTL functionality).

Is there anything reliable out there or will I have to shell out for the Skyports?

Cheers,

subseasniper
 
Cactus V2's will fire the flash manually for you....a search for those on here will defo turn a thread or two up!
 
The Skyports are so easy to use. Here are the steps to use them.

1. Open box
2. Connect cables and transmitter to hot shoe of camera
3. Turn everything on. Flash Skyports etc
4. Fire!!!

Thats how easy it is
 
The Canon units are meant to be pants outside or anywhere bright though...

The ideal, if a bit clumsy and untested solution are radio poppers, but you would need the Canon unit for that anyway...
 
The Canon system use IR to communicate so the range is limited

I thought the radio poppers solution used it's own transmitter and receiver, yet maintained the ETTL function. That solution will be a lot more expensive anyway than the Canon unit.


Oops just checked and you do need either the ST-2 or a 580 to activate the radio poppers. Plus a transmitter and receiver will set you back at least £200.
 
You may use ETTL but you leanr more about lighting ;)

You have more control and play, plus you can create so many more different looks as your not going by what the camera or the flash says!
 
The Radio Popper is overkill for a beginner (like me). And as Chappers said, you need something mounted on your camera like a 580EX.

Though I'm waiting for the Popper Jr. which acts like the Skyports or ebay triggers with longer distance and a $25/unit (this is what they say on their website).
 
Hi,

Maybe the cheapest way for you to get the job done would be to use the infra red utility on camera and flash guns, since last week I had never been overly confident with the reliability but it is quite good providing that each flash has a direct line of sight to each other, no obstacles etc. I personally use a set of pocket wizards but do consider using a master and slave option via infra red if the circumstances allow.

All the best
 
See this thread here.

I've just bought a transceiver and set of 3 receivers on eBay for a grand total of £40 inc p&p. They all work fine with my old flashguns and the cost are a bargain price.
 
cherryrig said:
I've tested my Skyports to 600ft so far ;) I ran out of space so I'll have to find another field hahaha :lol:
Click to expand...

How much is Elinchrom paying you? :D:D:D

Lets put it this way, what would you like to photograph 5ooft away? Ask me, I'll say just my flash firing at that range:cuckoo::cuckoo::cuckoo:.

With my modded cactus v2s, I'm very overwhelmed by 200ft. already.

If what Popper people say is true about the $25/unit price, and with the reputation of the Popper P1 and P8, I bet the Jr's. will be better and more reliable than the V2s and on par or might be better than Skyports.
I bet the Skyports and V2s sales will be down to 0 :naughty:.
Another + point is the units will be running on AAA batteries.

Well, everything is just on paper so we'll see what happens, hopefully its what a lot of enthusiasts are hoping for. In the end it is us consumers who will benefit:thumbs:
 
Hey, thanks for the advice.

I have just dipped my toe into this lightly for the time being. Sent off for an FM triggering device from Hong Kong for only 15 quid. Apparently has a range of 30 metres. We'll see.

I'm not in a rush to commit to anything as I am still saving my pennies for a Speedlite 430 EX so am in no rush (still using an age old Centon flashgun) to commit to Skyports or anything quite as sophisticated just now.

Cheers,

subseasniper
 
Got the el-cheapo FM trigger from Hong Kong and have been playing around with it for a few days. Seems pretty reliable so far, the build quality isn't fantastic but what do you expect for 15 quid?

I am pretty happy with them, they are reliable and I am having a good old play with them to figure out how this whole flash malarkey works.

And, as the box they came in says 'good for the professional camerist.' What further endorsement do you need?
 
Get the cheapo eBay ones as a starter. They cost beans. And who needs ETTL anyway...
 
I use the built in flash on my 40D turned right down to fire a slave (or a pair of slaves) in manual. As pointed out by somebody earlier, using things in manual means you learn a lot more about lighting.

I'm going to have a think about some "flash through" umbrellas to soften the light.

Steve
 
Forgive my noob style question here, but the cheap ones on Fleabay don't do ETTL, right?? They only trigger the flash.
I will have to use the flash unit in full manual, and meter either with a hand held meter or guesstimate it and try different settings?
 
correct
 
wingnut said:
I will have to use the flash unit in full manual, and meter either with a hand held meter or guesstimate it and try different settings?
Click to expand...

Which in the age of instant playback and histograms isn't that much of draw back. Take a test shot, review, make amendments, repeat until happy. Jobsagoodun.
 
I've been using the precursor to the cactus for about a year and a half. Still on the original batteries, I've had no problems with range and I've used them for all sorts of things from triggering studio flashes to a single speedlight for fill.
 
Sweet cheers guys, have had a sigma 500 super for a time and only really used it on camera or on the cord, but feeling a little more adventurous these days and want to branch out to using two strobes, been looking on fleabay at the triggers (PT-04's) and some cheapish flash units.
 
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