What do I need? Flash control without a camera - Thank you

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MadMrH

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Andy
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Hi,
I've got myself very confused trying to work out what I need!

What I want to do:
I would like to individually fire various flash units (different colours) from a hand held remote, without the need for a camera (although the system could be used for remote flash firing via camera in the future)

A number of flash units per group (same colour), A number of groups (different colours) 3 groups the preferred minimum, hand held remote.

I'm guessing that a test fire button will be the way to fire each flash/group

So I think I want an easy/quick way to select a group and test fire.

If possible I would like to be able to control the intensity of the flash from the hand held unit, and maybe its zoom control.

Did I miss any control function I will need?

This must be a Radio Frequency (RF) system not Infra Red (IR) as no direct line of sight, Flash units will be in the 10-20m distance from remote

I have the following items
3 x Canon EX 430 mkii
Canon 5Diii
Canon 7D
This is for light painting use, so camera in bulb mode long exposure so the flash control needs to be hand held

I've never really used a flash! So please give make/model numbers, I'm very happy to read up on things and I have searched the forum prior to asking but most are with control via the camera.

Thank you very much for any time you are able to give.
 
MadMrH said:
without the need for a camera
Click to expand...


Cheapest and easiest way would be using rf triggers such as the 603's. Set them on different frequencies for each group and have a separate button for each group.
 
Thank you, I've spent some time trying to work out the Yongnuo websites!!!
Euro site only has 601 and 602 listed
World site has manual for 603 (not 605)
So think you mean the 603mk2 - read up about it - as far as I can tell its a single group unit, you could use different frequency ch but no obvious way to know which remote would be which ch - I may have 3 or more remotes in my hand with this system - Did I get that right?

SO......They do a 605, that has SIX groups LCD display with what looks like a fairly quick group change A/D , B/E, C/F and I hope a test fire button, So looks like I could have one remote in my hand to control 6 groups.

(EDIT) the 622C-TX has 3 groups, LCD display - might be an option (end edit)

Price works out the same for 603mk2 vs 605 in this use.....
I would need 6 of the 603 but only 4 of the 605 to control 3 individual flashes

Does that seem right that I should consider the 605 ?

Thank you for your help.
 
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602's would do you fine. You will need one TX for each colour and one RX for each flashgun.

Make sure to get the Canon versions
 
602 - these seem to be the same price as 603ii and now dated ?
The 602 units are TX/RX specific units not transceivers like the 603.
(On/off switch locations seems to be a frequently mentioned negative point of the 602, improved in the 603)
602 would still mean a handful of remotes which will be difficult to know which is which.
"canon version" - thank you well worth the mention.

So I think 'Basic' use the 603 ticks most boxes but awkward to use in this scenario

622 / 605 I'm looking into. Along with compatibility with other same brand units - Might be cheaper to use same brand flash units with inbuilt RF for future expansion (I might actually learn to use flash units !!!)

Thank you for the help, I had only looked at Phottix / Pocket Wizard / Canon prior to asking, So great progress in only a few posts.
 
MadMrH said:
So think you mean the 603mk2 - read up about it - as far as I can tell its a single group unit, you could use different frequency ch but no obvious way to know which remote would be which ch - I may have 3 or more remotes in my hand with this system - Did I get that right?
Click to expand...


Not sure. If you've got 3 flashes, on 3 separate channels then you would need 6 603ii's (3 buttons to press). You could have 2 flashes on the same channel (Channel A) and 1 on another (Channel B), so would need 4 603iii's, as 1 603 would fire channel A (2 flashes) and the other one channel B.

As for knowing which one is which channel button that's easy, 1 controller has tape on, 1 has it on a different way and 1 doesn't.
 
Hi, Yes I agree 6 of the 603's for three individual flash units (That is hidden in post 3)
603 is 16 Channel (1-16) for data transmission but only Single group (A)

Tape or colour dots is an option on trigger BUT consider me being in a blackout room/place so visibility of the remotes is an issue.

As these are cheap units (much cheaper than I expected) I am heading in the 622/605 direction - Any reason they would not do the job better? not sure if the LCD is backlit but I can learn button positions on one unit.
 
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The 622tx is the only option that'll allow you to set the power of the remote flashes. The 3 groups are easy to manage, and you'll have a great system for std flash use too.
 
So
605 6 groups but no power control
622C-TX 3 groups with power and zoom control with LCD

I have just found a YN560-TX which seems to be 6 groups , power and zoom control with LCD screen, works along side 602/603/603ii units - But specific to the YN-560 III flash units.
Which seems to be a £45 flash unit. Which a quick look at specs seems to be a step up in power from my 430ii , Just noticed the 580ii is no longer on Canon UK list.
Flash intensity is not an issue in my scenario, Usually running them 30-50% power is all I need.

I need to research the 560 options a little more VS 622. Thank you again for all the input.
(EDIT) The 560 flash unit has in built RF receiver so no extra unit/batteries needed - Might sell my 430's and get the 560 system - Seems like too good to be true at that price! still checking (end edit)
 
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I have the Phottix Strato ttl triggers. The test fire is just a confirmation flash on these. Best check the other makes & models actually fire at the required power from the test button.
 
Peter69 said:
I have the Phottix Strato ttl triggers. The test fire is just a confirmation flash on these. Best check the other makes & models actually fire at the required power from the test button.
Click to expand...

Strato TTL is a different animal. Strato II is a manual trigger (with TTL pass-through).
 
Checked more info.....I think this is right!
Phottix Strato II does not have power or zoom control does have 4ch transmission, 4 groups with flash wake up.

Phottix Odin has power zoom control in 3 groups info HERE
Odin TX with two RX is around £290, extra RX for around £100

Phottix brochure HERE

So if I have this right
My current set up would seem to benefit from the Yongnuo 622C-TX 3 groups, power and zoom control with LCD screen paired with YN-622C transcievers

If I started again then then YN560-TX 6 groups, power and zoom control with LCD screen, must be paired with YN-560 III flash units

Any other options/ideas/corrections? before I pull the trigger! (Really bad pun, I'll get my coat...................)
 
MadMrH said:
Checked more info.....I think this is right!
Phottix Strato II does not have power or zoom control does have 4ch transmission, 4 groups with flash wake up.

Phottix Odin has power zoom control in 3 groups info HERE
Odin TX with two RX is around £290, extra RX for around £100

Phottix brochure HERE

So if I have this right
My current set up would seem to benefit from the Yongnuo 622C-TX 3 groups, power and zoom control with LCD screen paired with YN-622C transcievers

If I started again then then YN560-TX 6 groups, power and zoom control with LCD screen, must be paired with YN-560 III flash units

Any other options/ideas/corrections? before I pull the trigger! (Really bad pun, I'll get my coat...................)
Click to expand...
That's about it. (y)
 
More research has found the Yongnuo YN560 mark iv !

The mkiii was receive only and use the YN560-TX to transmit

The mk iv is a transceiver so a combination of two items above and intergrates with them as well.

The TX specific unit appears to have larger LCD display.

In UK the mkiv is about £5 more and newest in the range.

I hope that might be of help to others.
For me I'm going to give it a few days just in case someone opens my eyes to other options then go with 622 set.
 
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