can canon 50D onboard flash trigger slave
Hi all, I've read everything I can find but still can't come up with a clear picture. Can my canon 50D onboard flash act as a trigger for my Canon Speedlite 420EX. I can't make it happen. I put speedlite on slave and camera in manual but flash does not trigger the slave. Is it just that speedlite doesn't have that capability? Would appreciate input.
Thanks... Lynn:scratch
Thanks... Lynn:scratch
0
Comments
http://www.usa.canon.com//app/pdf/lens/Speedlite_420EX_manual.pdf
... the 420EX "is" capable of optical wireless E-TTL (slave). Unfortunately I don't believe that the Canon 50D body is capable of acting as a wireless Master/Commander, at least not by itself.
I believe that your options are:
Perhaps if you outline your intended use and needs we could make a better recommendation, as some of these solutions work better in certain situations (i.e. indoors vs outdoors, solo use versus potentially conflicting with other peoples flash, etc.).
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Then you could plug your 420EX into the hot shoe in Manual Flash mode, and the flash from your camera should trigger the off camera 420EX - but you will not be able to use ETTL in the 420EX this way.
The easiest would be to pick up a Canon Wireless optical transmitter like the ST-E2. It is easy to use, works quite well indoors, and should give you ETTL control of your 420EX.
Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
Alas, the 420EX has no manual mode, it is ETTL only. It's got a couple switches on the back for ETTL slave mode settings, and that's basically it.
The ST-E2 is pretty limited -- IIRC it only supports 2 groups instead of 3, and it has no focus-assist lamp. Really the only advantage of an ST-E2 over a 580EXII (used) is that it's a hundred or so cheaper, and it's a bit smaller/lighter. When I was facing this same choice, I bought a 580EXII (I now have three of them, plus the 420EX that I still use occasionally).
--Ian
I agree, your current flash has limitations. Consider getting another flash (580, 430exII, Yongnuo, etc.) and depending on the budget and setup wireless triggers such as the 622 or even manual triggers like the RF-602, RF-603, etc.
Whilst waiting for my gear to arrive in bits I've been practicing with my male model. Mostly failures but I'll get there in the end.. lots of setups and situations whirring around in circles in my mind waiting to settle for the "perfect shot" - here is a link to my galley for the practice shots - beware there is nudity involved.
http://lynn.smugmug.com/Other/Bears/30994583_NLn678#!i=2680656468&k=LNWgw2v
Lynn
The whole point is I want to get my flash off my camera and on a stand... I 've been using it in the hot shoe, I want more flexibility light wise.
easy to do and can be inexpensive with manual triggers