Triggering flash

Gary.D

Gary.D

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Gary Derbridge
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A quick(?) question please?

My set up at the moment is on camera flash using a Canon 580ex II. This can become off camera, via a cable - cheap option ;)

I'm about to get a second 580ex II, to use on my second body, but it could also be used as a second light source.

Once I have both, it made me wonder if there is a way of triggering both off camera, or is the only option via wireless?

Or can I use the 580ex II on camera as a slave for the second flash off camera?

Thanks.

Gary.
 
Ambermile said:
I had a similar issue and decided to go wireless, was cheaper than cable, much more versatile and the setup I bought came with two Rx units *and* two PC cables as well! If you can free yourself from wires I would say "don't hesitate...."

Arthur


PS - just dug out the url from Ebay - I said it was cheap - and good kit too.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120483315032&ssPageName=STRK:MEBDIX:IT
Click to expand...

Do you ever have any trouble with miss firing?
Thanks
 
Not yet, but only had it a week! I have played with it enough to run two sets of flash batteries down though and nary a miss so far. Another good thing about the system is that it's transferable, not manufacturer or camera specific.

Arthur
 
... you do not get ttl though remember
shakehead.gif
 
Ambermile said:
I had a similar issue and decided to go wireless, was cheaper than cable, much more versatile and the setup I bought came with two Rx units *and* two PC cables as well! If you can free yourself from wires I would say "don't hesitate...."

Arthur


PS - just dug out the url from Ebay - I said it was cheap - and good kit too.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120483315032&ssPageName=STRK:MEBDIX:IT
Click to expand...


I wouldn't recommend those triggers, as far as the PT-04 type go those are about 3 generations back and woefully unreliable...
 
Well, you do have to be more aware of shutter speeds - and even shutter types actually. It's just another thing to learn is all, keeps things interesting!
 
Only if your off camera flash has that option built in.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Or if you add an optical trigger (about £6 or so) to the off-camera flash
Click to expand...

But you still lose TTL. You'll be setting your flash power levels manually using an optical trigger (at least, that's true with Nikon, I'm assuming it's the same way with Canon?)
 
Gary.D said:
A quick(?) question please?

My set up at the moment is on camera flash using a Canon 580ex II. This can become off camera, via a cable - cheap option ;)

I'm about to get a second 580ex II, to use on my second body, but it could also be used as a second light source.

Once I have both, it made me wonder if there is a way of triggering both off camera, or is the only option via wireless?

Or can I use the 580ex II on camera as a slave for the second flash off camera?

Thanks.

Gary.
Click to expand...

Various ways you could do it and lots of equipment choice, but to cut a long story short, and assuming you don't want to spend a fortune, I think it boils down to this.

To retain full auto E-TTL remote exposure control, get an ST-E2 master controller and a 430EXII for roughly the same money as one additional 580EXII. That will give you two remote guns, both controlled by the ST-E2.

If you forego E-TTL and opt for full manual operation, get a set of Yongnuo RF-602 radio triggers (here, very cheap, post #2 http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=157807 ) and hook them up to your 580EXII and pretty much any other gun you fancy. You could do the whole shooting match for well under £100, including the second flash (Yongnuo YN460?).
 
Kaouthia said:
But you still lose TTL. You'll be setting your flash power levels manually using an optical trigger (at least, that's true with Nikon, I'm assuming it's the same way with Canon?)
Click to expand...


Agreed, the only way round that is the st-e2 that Hoppy mentions, or a set of those new Pocket Wizards that gave Ali a nervous bounce twitch...
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Agreed, the only way round that is the st-e2 that Hoppy mentions, or a set of those new Pocket Wizards that gave Ali a nervous bounce twitch...
Click to expand...

I got told that if I run 1 580exII through the ttl lead and set it to master, and set the second 580exII to slave it should work without the st-e2
 
Gary.D said:
I got told that if I run 1 580exII through the ttl lead and set it to master, and set the second 580exII to slave it should work without the st-e2
Click to expand...

Yes, it will. I didn't suggest that as it restricts the master flash to being tethered close to the camera (although you can hook two leads together, three is not recommended I believe).

Using the ST-E2 and 430EXII gives you much more flexibility for approx the same money. The 430 is a very good gun - you lose a stop of max flash power and the master facility compared to the 580, but one stop is usually easily lived with and you don't need the master bit.

Or you could get two more 580 guns, or the E-TTL Pocket Wizards, or various other options. The list is long... ;)
 
HoppyUK said:
Yes, it will. I didn't suggest that as it restricts the master flash to being tethered close to the camera (although you can hook two leads together, three is not recommended I believe).

Using the ST-E2 and 430EXII gives you much more flexibility for approx the same money. The 430 is a very good gun - you lose a stop of max flash power and the master facility compared to the 580, but one stop is usually easily lived with and you don't need the master bit.

Or you could get two more 580 guns, or the E-TTL Pocket Wizards, or various other options. The list is long... ;)
Click to expand...

Ok cheers hoppy, I already have 2 580exII's
And a 33ft ttl cord so it should be enough for now :p :lol:
 
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