Off Camera Flash Question

capitoljayhawk

I am making my first dive into off-camera flash. I was just going to buy a PC cord, but have been told that that only gives me flash synch, but denies me all the camera-based metering benefits of being in the hot shoe.

Is that right?

Do you guys ever use the TTL-flash cords? My local camera store is trying to sell me one for $80.

ziggy53

That is correct. With a PC flash connection all you get is a single pulse to tell the flash when to sync.

An "off-camera" flash cord is what you want if you want TTL functions at some short distance from the camera. (Typical use is on a flash bracket of some sort.)

They are pricey partly because of the number of wires/connections supported.

Depending on the camera and system an infrared wireless transmitter may also work to give full TTL functionality.

rpcrowe

Several Choices:
Adorama Off-Camera Flash Cord for Canon EOS:

http://www.adorama.com/FAOCSCTCA3.html?searchinfo=canon+off-camera+cord

Canon OEM cord from B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/498744-REG/Canon_1950B001_OC_E3_Off_Camera_Shoe.html

Used Canon OEM Cords on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-EOS-Off-Camera-Flash-Shoe-Cord-2_W0QQitemZ320417441404QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Flash_Accessories?hash=item4a9a5e267c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/CANON-OFF-CAMERA-SHOE-CORD-2_W0QQitemZ130328279160QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Cables_Cords?hash=item1e582bb878&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Chinese knock-off on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Off-Camera-E-TTL-Flash-Sync-Cord-for-Canon-40D-50D-450D_W0QQitemZ260462893575QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Flash_Accessories?hash=item3ca4cc5a07&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

I cannot vouch for the Chinese knock-offs but, it I needed a cord; I would be inclined to risk twenty bucks....

hgernhardtjr

rpcrowe wrote:

...Canon EOS:

He did not indicate in his post as he should have, but his profile states he is shooting Nikon

Rpcrowe answered it virtually the way I would have CANON-wise. And, yes, off camera ttl cords work very nicely. However, as a Canon user, I can't give you any definitive answers about your Nikon.

time2smile

the nikon cord work very well. I have two sc-17 and two sc-29. the sc-29 have the focus assist lights built in. I understand that nikon come out with a new sc-29c, to fix a problem with some high end cameras. all mine from evilbay, the sc-17 was under $30 and the sc-29 were under $50 each.

Happy Hunting

colourbox

One of the problems with the Canon TTL cords is how short they are. Flashzebra makes some longer ones.
http://flashzebra.com/ttlcords/ettlcords/index.shtml

They make some Nikon ones too.

Wil Davis

capitoljayhawk wrote:

I am making my first dive into off-camera flash. I was just going to buy a PC cord, but have been told that that only gives me flash synch, but denies me all the camera-based metering benefits of being in the hot shoe.

Is that right?

Do you guys ever use the TTL-flash cords? My local camera store is trying to sell me one for $80.

I have a Nikon D70 and a D300 with an SB600 and SB800. I also have an SC29 cable but I don't think I've ever used it, as both cameras and flash units can communicate using wireless.

I don't know what cameras/flash you have, but before you fork out $$ for what might be an unnecessary purchase, check out your gear.

HTH -
- Wil

time2smile

What flash units do you have?
Your D700 has a built in commander to control wireless flash, works with the SB-600, SB-800, and the SB-900, not the SB-400 and I think some sigma's also. Ziggy can answer that ?
I have a D50, no commander built in. I have a wishlist for a D90, with commander, but I will still use my SC-29, due to the fact of the low light assist lamp.

1scrappychic

ziggy53 wrote: »

That is correct. With a PC flash connection all you get is a single pulse to tell the flash when to sync.

An "off-camera" flash cord is what you want if you want TTL functions at some short distance from the camera. (Typical use is on a flash bracket of some sort.)

They are pricey partly because of the number of wires/connections supported.

Depending on the camera and system an infrared wireless transmitter may also work to give full TTL functionality.

I'm looking to purchase a flash cord. I shoot my OCF flashes on manual, so I do not think I need the TTL function. Am I ok to just get a standard PC sync cord?

ziggy53

1scrappychic wrote: »

I'm looking to purchase a flash cord. I shoot my OCF flashes on manual, so I do not think I need the TTL function. Am I ok to just get a standard PC sync cord?

Part of the answer depends on specifically which flash(es) you will be using.

At any rate a flash cord is generally less useful than a cheap RF (radio) master/slave set. A specific recommendation for a master/slave would again depend upon your camera and flashes.

Edit: Your profile says that you are using Canon 5D and Canon 40D camera bodies, and Sigma 610 Super and Canon 430ex Speedlite flashes. Is that correct?

1scrappychic

ziggy53 wrote: »

Part of the answer depends on specifically which flash(es) you will be using.

At any rate a flash cord is generally less useful than a cheap RF (radio) master/slave set. A specific recommendation for a master/slave would again depend upon your camera and flashes.

Edit: Your profile says that you are using Canon 5D and Canon 40D camera bodies, and Sigma 610 Super and Canon 430ex Speedlite flashes. Is that correct?

I have a Canon 430ex that I use as my master (on a radio trigger) and a Sigma 610 that I use as my slave fired by the 430. This is all with my 5D right now.
But, I need to eliminate the radio triggers, so am looking at a sync cord to test something out. I don't use TTL, so I don't think I need the TTL cord...just the pc cord.

ziggy53

1scrappychic wrote: »

I have a Canon 430ex that I use as my master (on a radio trigger) and a Sigma 610 that I use as my slave fired by the 430. This is all with my 5D right now.
But, I need to eliminate the radio triggers, so am looking at a sync cord to test something out. I don't use TTL, so I don't think I need the TTL cord...just the pc cord.

The very least you would need is a pc-hot-shoe adapter.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/682574-REG/Impact_10032360_Hot_Shoe_to_Male.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/89982-REG/Hama_HA_6952_Hot_Shoe_Adapter_2.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/95414-REG/General_Brand_SF941_PC_to_Hot_Shoe.html

For longer lengths:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/598230-REG/Paramount_PMHSFPC15S_PMHSFPC15S_Sync_Cord.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/598232-REG/Paramount_PMHSFPC16C_PMHSFPC16C_Coiled_Sync.html

Possible complications include:

Some flashes do not work well with the longer cords because of too much internal resistance in the cord and the trigger voltage falls below a working voltage.
Some flashes are polarity sensitive and need an appropriate polarity in contacts. Using a Wein Safe-Sync, model "SSHSHS", seems to help as the source for the pc end.

NeilL

I have a l-o-n-g (~20ft) ETTL cord for Canon from Paramount Cords. A bit dearer than Zebra, but beautifully made, heavy duty, totally dependable.

http://www.paramountcords.com/

Neil