Getting flash off of camera

scottV

I am trying to figure out the cheapest way I can get my 430ex off of my rebel xt. The canon cable is expensive and very short, so I am thinking pc cables. But without pc ports on flash or camera, I am confused about which adapters are needed. I found this: http://www.adorama.com/FAHSPCA.html ... Will one of those work for both the camera and the flash, or is that just to give the camera a pc port? What do I need on the flash side?


please help.

cmason

f00sion wrote:

I am trying to figure out the cheapest way I can get my 430ex off of my rebel xt. The canon cable is expensive and very short, so I am thinking pc cables. But without pc ports on flash or camera, I am confused about which adapters are needed. I found this: http://www.adorama.com/FAHSPCA.html ... Will one of those work for both the camera and the flash, or is that just to give the camera a pc port? What do I need on the flash side?


please help.

Well it depends on how you want to use your 430EX. If you want to maintain its ETTL II capabilities, your choices are the off-camera shoe from Canon ($50), or the one of the IR control options, such as the ST-E2 ($200) or the 580EX ($380). All of these options ensures that that your XT and the flash communicate and provide the right amount of flash for the situation. Great solutions.

If you wish to use your flash manually, then there are other, cheaper...and more expensive options. Manually means you have to set your flash amount, and it fires by either a slave or radio controller. Radio controllers include the expensive but favorite PocketWizards. There are also eBay controllers as well, that seem to get reasonable results for folks. Wien sells a range of optical adaptors that plug into the hot shoe that I understand work as well.

Finally, for some DIY options, including cables made from drop cord and other nifty solutions, review the archives at Stobist.com , and I recommend you start with the Lighting 101 section.

scottV

I do not need to maintain E-TTL and would be using the flash on manual. I have read all through strobist but there isn't any clear information on what is needed to use a canon camera & flash with sync cords.... I know I need 2 adapters, just not sure which ones.

Shane422

I picked up the "Chinese pocket wizards" after reading the forums at the strobist.com, and they work quite well using Manaul mode. It seems that the vendor of choice is Gadget Inifinity on eBay. A reciever and transmitter was about $20 plus shipping from China (~$10). It seemed like a no brainer to at least give it a try. I have also used the same set to fire an AlienBee B400 using the PC port on the side, and that works fairly well. I do get extra flashes with the Alienbee, but using a Nikon SB600 and the Hotshoe connection has been flawless. Often I just use the SB600 as fill and let that trigger B400's slave sensor as the main flash. Then everything works well.

scottV

Shane422 wrote:

I picked up the "Chinese pocket wizards" after reading the forums at the strobist.com, and they work quite well using Manaul mode. It seems that the vendor of choice is Gadget Inifinity on eBay. A reciever and transmitter was about $20 plus shipping from China (~$10). It seemed like a no brainer to at least give it a try. I have also used the same set to fire an AlienBee B400 using the PC port on the side, and that works fairly well. I do get extra flashes with the Alienbee, but using a Nikon SB600 and the Hotshoe connection has been flawless. Often I just use the SB600 as fill and let that trigger B400's slave sensor as the main flash. Then everything works well.

Is this like the one that you got?
http://cgi.ebay.com/16-Channels-Wireless-Studio-Flash-Trigger-AC-220V_W0QQitemZ170048111524QQihZ007QQcategoryZ64354QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The problem is, I think it only works with flashes that have the pc input. I found another that looks like it will work for me though:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Wireless-Slave-Hot-Shoe-Flash-Flashgun-Trigger_W0QQitemZ330048617407QQihZ014QQcategoryZ64354QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Red Bull

So, I'm a bit confused. I just ordered a 430ex and a Canon 100 macro. Does the 430ex have a PC input? I'm pretty sure my 20D does. I'm still a pretty big noob when it comes to flash, and I've been reading a lot about it.

Will I be able to use a PC cord if I want to use my flash off-camera on manual mode? I would like to have the Canon off camera cord, but it seems pretty expensive.

gus

You guys can have a looong read of 'stobist' to explain $20 the units if you like. I just bought one from eBay (PT-04 & RF-604) for my 30D & 430EX so i will let you know how it works when it arrives if you like.

Red Bull

Thanks, Gus! I would love to know how they work out for you when you get them.

cmason

Red Bull wrote:

So, I'm a bit confused. I just ordered a 430ex and a Canon 100 macro. Does the 430ex have a PC input? I'm pretty sure my 20D does. I'm still a pretty big noob when it comes to flash, and I've been reading a lot about it.

Will I be able to use a PC cord if I want to use my flash off-camera on manual mode? I would like to have the Canon off camera cord, but it seems pretty expensive.

No the 430ex does not have a pc input. The off camera shoe cord does not either. You can buy adaptors by Wein that will work, and even better, you can get optical slaves from Wien that will work, so you can forget the cord. You can also send youe 430 off to someone to have one, uh, "grafted" on, though this will ruin your warranty. Look around Strobist for this service.

Another solution is to get a cheap vivitar or old nikon flash with pc plug, and going manual.

Shane422

f00sion wrote:

Is this like the one that you got?
http://cgi.ebay.com/16-Channels-Wireless-Studio-Flash-Trigger-AC-220V_W0QQitemZ170048111524QQihZ007QQcategoryZ64354QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The problem is, I think it only works with flashes that have the pc input. I found another that looks like it will work for me though:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Wireless-Slave-Hot-Shoe-Flash-Flashgun-Trigger_W0QQitemZ330048617407QQihZ014QQcategoryZ64354QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

No the ones I got had a Hot shoe for the flash. Here is the link.
http://cgi.ebay.com/4-Channels-Wireless-Flash-Trigger_W0QQitemZ170057266335QQihZ007QQcategoryZ64354QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

ziggy53

It kinda depends on your goal, but a great way to add off-camera flash and simultaneously enhance your capabilities, is to purchase a small flash to use on the camera, and an optical (or radio) slave to fire the remote 430EX.

The small on-camera flash can act as both a trigger for the slave, and as fill for the subject. The off-camera is then the slaved "key" light, and there is so much more you can do with a 2 light setup. (Rembrandt, Traditional Portrait, Short, Broad and Butterfly lighting setups are all possible with two lights and an optional reflector or two.)

The other way is to use a slaved second unit with the 430EX on the camera as the trigger and fill.

Either way, the ability to position the remote light is a primary advantage.

ziggy53

SloYerRoll

Quick note about optical slaves (or peanuts).
They are great at what they do. But they are "dumb". They see a bright flash and they start hammering away. This is good until you have another person shooting like a parent taking a candid or if your shooting w/ other ppl on the same set... you get the idea
Not a big deal. Just something to consider.

Make sure you have some time for strobist. Like 2 or 3 hours time...
It is WELL worth it though. Goldmine of lighting knowledge there.

mr peas

the ebay slaves from hong kong will not work with canon flash units :cry

but.. they will work with nikon and other non-canon brand flash units.
also remember, ttl is not supported with the el-cheapo ebay units.

but for the money, i think theyre great. just use a diff. flash unit other than canon.

gus

mr peas wrote:

the ebay slaves from hong kong will not work with canon flash units :cry

I have spoken to several people that have a canon flash & they do in fact work. Some have troubles & need some tuning but they do get them working. You can find a lot of info here at the strobist.

I have bought this model...yet to rec it however for that small amount of money its worth some experimenting.

NOTE ON COMPATIBILITY: This trigger set works with almost all flashes available on market except Olympus FL-36 which requires a receiver with higher triggering voltage. We have a modified version for FL-36. Please email us if you would like to receive the modified version. You don't need a modified version for other Olympus flashes.
While Sigma EF-500 DG Super works well with the receiver, the EF-500 DG ST does not.
Mis-firing may occur when using with Canon Speedlite 580EX and 430EX. We have some DIY tips to prevent these flashes from mis-firing. Please send us email for details if you want the trigger to be used with these flashes. The problem does not occur on Speedlite models of earlier generations.

mr peas

gus wrote:

I have spoken to several people that have a canon flash & they do in fact work. Some have troubles & need some tuning but they do get them working. You can find a lot of info here at the strobist.

oh yeah you can make them work by using extension cords to maximize the distance between the unit and the receiver, but when mounted straight from flash to hot-shoe on the receiver, it just doesnt want to work the way it should.

for ex:


i tried using it on my 420EZ (older canon flash), it works while the unit is recycling (light is yellow) but when its fully charged, the flash will go idle (light is red), and then despite how many clicks you give it, the receiver wont trigger the flash.

before i threw these things out though, i bought a different flash (Achiever LCD) and it works perfectly. if youre a nikon shooter, youre in for a treat, these things work perfectly with SB units.

but yeah, the kit by itself will not work with canon units. i suppose you can purchase a few extension cords and hot-shoe adapters, but for the price you would pay for that, you can get a cheap used flash unit that isnt a canon brand from ebay and use that instead. you can get like 3 or 4 or even 5 used SB units for the price of a new/used 550EX. imo, that would be a better choice. but thats just me ;]

its good for the money though! i say buy it and try it out. if you dont like it, im looking for more receivers, pm me and we'll see if i can put your junk to good use. haha

gus - i have that same model. hah. hey btw, if youre willing to sell the receiver, im willing to buy it!

Red Bull

cmason wrote:

No the 430ex does not have a pc input. The off camera shoe cord does not either. You can buy adaptors by Wein that will work, and even better, you can get optical slaves from Wien that will work, so you can forget the cord. You can also send youe 430 off to someone to have one, uh, "grafted" on, though this will ruin your warranty. Look around Strobist for this service.

Another solution is to get a cheap vivitar or old nikon flash with pc plug, and going manual.

Ok, so the PC cord will not work. How about the Canon Off Camera Shoe Cord? One end goes on the camera hot shoe, the other end goes on the bottom of the flash, correct?