Speedlight 430EX II

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Badger1

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Pete
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I'm desperate to get myself a flash gun for my 450D for better portraits but also to try some funky stuff (including attempting a water droplet shot). Whilst researching I came across this in a review on Amazon

The big drawback with Canon SLR's is that the flash cannot be remotely fired by the camera unless you purchase the Speedlite ST-E2, which is basically a hotshoe mounted infrared trigger. Sadly this item is hugely overpriced at about 150 pounds. This immediately limits the creative aspects this flash offers unless you get into radio triggers. The cheap ones from ebay do the trick but unfortunately the e-ttl ability is lost.

Is this an issue I should be worried about given my relative new status on the learning curve of photography? I assume I would just need a wire from the camera to the flash?

Having never used a flash gun this is all new to me, so please be gentle!

Cheers for now

Pete
 
The easiest way is to use a wireless trigger.

They can cost a fortune, but there are some low cost options out there that would be a good starting point to try it out.
 
Not sure about the 450D but my 400D doesn't have a pc sync port to plug the flash in to, so you will need either
A) A hotshoe to pc sync adaptor (mine was about a tenner from jessops) and a lead of the right length to go from your adaptor to the flash (also I'm not sure the 430exii has a sync port so you'd need the counter adaptor on that end too). I think the +'s are that you get great control and reliability for little cash. The -'s are that you've got to deal with a tangly lead!
B) Infra red or radio triggers. These need not cost the earth, you can pick up pt types for less than £30 on ebay or get them from Flash in The Pan who sells through here, here's a linky to him. Not as reliable unless you buy expensive gear, but more flexible and you can trigger multiple flashes at the same time.
hope this helps
pip
 
Thanks,

Looks like I need to go out and find a 430 then! Triggers etc can be ordered at a later date!

Pete
 
Learn to use the flash on camera first (bounce from ceiling, diffuse, fill, etc). Then get another 580EX to use as a master (550EX also does the trick, just not as easy to adjust)

Ebay triggers also work OK if you have enough time to adjust settings manually. PocketWizards mk1 are not much better either (only more reliable), mk2 might support ETTL but they cost like another 2-3 flashes.
 
Badger1 said:
I'm desperate to get myself a flash gun for my 450D for better portraits but also to try some funky stuff (including attempting a water droplet shot). Whilst researching I came across this in a review on Amazon

The big drawback with Canon SLR's is that the flash cannot be remotely fired by the camera unless you purchase the Speedlite ST-E2, which is basically a hotshoe mounted infrared trigger. Sadly this item is hugely overpriced at about 150 pounds. This immediately limits the creative aspects this flash offers unless you get into radio triggers. The cheap ones from ebay do the trick but unfortunately the e-ttl ability is lost.

Is this an issue I should be worried about given my relative new status on the learning curve of photography? I assume I would just need a wire from the camera to the flash?

Having never used a flash gun this is all new to me, so please be gentle!

Cheers for now

Pete
Click to expand...

LOL That's a story put about by Nikon users. Yes, it's true that Canon cameras cannot be used as master controllers in a multi-flash set up (except the new Canon 7D) but then neither can most Nikons either! It's only a feature on their top end models.

Having said that, if remote flash, strobist style, is important to you, and budget is tight, then in some circumstances Nikon will do it cheaper/easier. However, there is nothing that Nikon can do that Canon cannot, and if you go about it properly with E-TTL Canon gear, there is effectively no difference.
 
HoppyUK said:
LOL That's a story put about by Nikon users. Yes, it's true that Canon cameras cannot be used as master controllers in a multi-flash set up (except the new Canon 7D) but then neither can most Nikons either! It's only a feature on their top end models.

Having said that, if remote flash, strobist style, is important to you, and budget is tight, then in some circumstances Nikon will do it cheaper/easier. However, there is nothing that Nikon can do that Canon cannot, and if you go about it properly with E-TTL Canon gear, there is effectively no difference.
Click to expand...

Ooh, I'm gonna be watching me this thread! Incoming!
 
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