Cheap Ways to get 430ex Off Camera

Cason · August 26, 2009

I’ve dodge this type of photography for a long time. I think it’s time to jump on the OCF wagon. I have a 30D and a 430ex. I have some knowledge on how to use the flash. Such as diffuse the light, bounce the light, never straight on, yadda, yadda, yadda.

I can’t wrap my head around what I need in order to go off camera. I’ve been researching and like what I am reading about Radio Poppers. Am I right in saying that I can shoot a high speed sync of 1/8000 and not get the shutter black out? However, I can't see myself spending $500 on RadioPoppers PX transmitter and receiver.

I want to test the waters of OCF without blowing the my wallet to pieces. What are some options?

bret · August 26, 2009

The 430EX has no PC Sync terminal that you would need to use it with Pocketwizards. So that's out.

Normally, you would use the 430EX off camera as a Slave with either another on-camera flash acting as the Master unit or the ST-E2 transmitter mounted on-camera. The downside of doing this is that the Slave must be able to "see" the Master or the ST-E2 by direct line-of-sight in order to pick up the signal. Radio Poppers attempt to address this problem by converting the light signals to radio signals and then transmitting them back to light signals at the Slave unit.
I've never used them, but it sounds like a neat plan, albeit a more expensive setup than just getting the ST-E2.

Your other option is to use an off-camera shoe cord like the new OC-E3. This works great, but you are limited to the length of the cord which is only about two feet. I believe some DIYers have made longer cables from this, however.

-bret

colourbox · August 26, 2009

bret wrote:

Your other option is to use an off-camera shoe cord like the new OC-E3. This works great, but you are limited to the length of the cord which is only about two feet. I believe some DIYers have made longer cables from this, however.

You can buy a longer Canon sync cable from flashzebra.com. A friend bought one and it seems to work fine.

rwells · August 26, 2009

Cason wrote:

I’ve dodge this type of photography for a long time. I think it’s time to jump on the OCF wagon. I have a 30D and a 430ex. I have some knowledge on how to use the flash. Such as diffuse the light, bounce the light, never straight on, yadda, yadda, yadda.

I can’t wrap my head around what I need in order to go off camera. I’ve been researching and like what I am reading about Radio Poppers. Am I right in saying that I can shoot a high speed sync of 1/8000 and not get the shutter black out? However, I can't see myself spending $500 on RadioPoppers PX transmitter and receiver.

I want to test the waters of OCF without blowing the my wallet to pieces. What are some options?

Go to www.strobist.com

Everything you'll want to know about off camera flash. Start with the Lighting 101 Archive on his site. Pulldown on right side of page.

Enjoy!!!

kdog · August 26, 2009

bret wrote:

Normally, you would use the 430EX off camera as a Slave with either another on-camera flash acting as the Master unit or the ST-E2 transmitter mounted on-camera. The downside of doing this is that the Slave must be able to "see" the Master or the ST-E2 by direct line-of-sight in order to pick up the signal.

No, that's not completely true. In an indoors environment, the signal bounces off of interior surfaces and will usually make it to the slave unit without line of sight. Line of sight is only necessary outdoors where there are no reflective surfaces.

Regards,
-joel (ST-2 user)

PackingMyBags · August 26, 2009

If you dont mind loosing ETTL and running in Manual mode then this works just fine. Its easy on the wallet as well. Only good to 1/200 sync speed though, but very reliable and accurate.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CTR-301P-Wireless-Flash-Trigger-Set-2-receivers-CTR-301_W0QQitemZ390082528350QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Flash_Accessories?hash=item5ad2bb045e&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

MT Stringer · August 26, 2009

I've used the 430 off camera with good results - in manual - fired by Elinchrom Skyports. All the Skyports do is trigger the flash. If you go this route (cheaper than Pocket Wizards), you'll need a hot shoe adapter like this one sold at Fllashzebra.com. With the transmitter on the camera, it will trigger the flash whenever you trip the shutter.

As mentioned, you can get an off shoe cord from flashzebra that is 24 feet long. That would let you experiment with ETTL flash if you are talking about a studio setting or anywhere when the flash would be nearby.

NOTE: The Skyports have been really reliable for me when used in a gym to trigger Canon 540EZ flashes. No misfires, even when I shot from the far end of the gym.

Hope this helps.
Mike

pyry · August 26, 2009

The cheapest way possible is to get a pc-to-hot shoe adapter and a pc cable. It'll work in manual modes.

davev · August 26, 2009

I just bought some of these and used them in studio without a problem.

LINK

PackingMyBags · August 26, 2009

davev wrote:

I just bought some of these and used them in studio without a problem.

LINK

I almost got these, but ive seen numerous commments about how they are cheap and tend to misfire...a lot.

divamum · August 26, 2009

It's being suggested that the rumoured 7D is going to have a built-in flash controller (story here)... which I bet will mean a lot of ste2 units hit the 2nd-hand market if that's true! If you can, it might be worth waiting a couple of weeks to see what's announced in case you can snag a bargain and an easy way to start exploring off-camera-flash with your existing unit.

FWIW, I really like my ste2, which I use with both a 420ex (no manual) and my 430. I picked mine up at a great price just after Christmas last year ($165 NEW from amazon).

davev · August 27, 2009

PackingMyBags wrote:

I almost got these, but ive seen numerous commments about how they are cheap and tend to misfire...a lot.

The only miss fires I've had in 600 shots was when I didn't let the flashes recharge long enough.
Good luck in your quest.

Scott_Quier · August 27, 2009

You can get into it for about $75 (gotta include s/h) if you can live with setting the flash manually and can also live with a shutter speed of 1/250 or slower, (that's the x-synch of the 30D).

HSH Hot Shoe to Household Adapter - $30
Paramount 2-18 - Household to PC Male - Straight - 18" - $15
Art Scott has, in the past recommended (see here) the 16 Channel Wireless transmitter Flash Trigger RD616 which have a "buy it now" of between $10 and $20

Cason · August 27, 2009

Holy Moly...there is a bunch of advice. Thanks dudes! I'm off to do some research.

I checked out that Stobist link. I found a guy who is using 2 Vivitar 285HV and those Cactus triggers.

What are your thoughts on that setup?

Scott_Quier · August 27, 2009

Cason wrote:

Holy Moly...there is a bunch of advice. Thanks dudes! I'm off to do some research.

I checked out that Stobist link. I found a guy who is using 2 Vivitar 285HV and those Cactus triggers.

What are your thoughts on that setup?

Fantastic - the 285HV is a classic solution for a strobist kit. Powerful, cheap, reliable - I don't think there's a down side. The triggers are claimed (I don't have any) to be reliable within their design parameters.

Cason · August 27, 2009

Ok...here is what I might do.

Pick up Cactus V4 Set (Transmitter & Receiver) for $39.95
Pick up an extra Cactus V4 Receiver for $23.95 this is for my 430ex. I may get another Vivitar once I compare it to the 430ex.
Pick up the Vivitar 285HV for $89.95
A couple of stands for $52.95 a piece. A may go smaller.
A couple of umbrella adapters for $14.99 a piece.
A couple of umbrellas for $24.95. Should I get a softbox?

If I double up on everything it is going to cost me around $430 plus S/H.

Who wants to slap their Newbie OCF Seal of Approval on this setup?

chrisdg · August 27, 2009

Cason wrote:

Ok...here is what I might do.
Pick up Cactus V4 Set (Transmitter & Receiver) for $39.95

Pick up an extra Cactus V4 Receiver for $23.95 this is for my 430ex. I may get another Vivitar once I compare it to the 430ex.

Pick up the Vivitar 285HV for $89.95

A couple of stands for $52.95 a piece. A may go smaller.

A couple of umbrella adapters for $14.99 a piece.

A couple of umbrellas for $24.95. Should I get a softbox?

If I double up on everything it is going to cost me around $430 plus S/H.

Who wants to slap their Newbie OCF Seal of Approval on this setup?

Cason - instead of adding a second flash right away, you may wish to consider starting as a "one light" strobist, but add a reflector into the mix. A nice combo reflector can easily bounce light from your primary strobe (or any light source) back onto the dark side of the subject, and it essentially becomes your second light source. This is an easier (and much cheaper) way of getting started because it keeps things simple, yet effective - with a lesser learning curve. Learn how to use one light really well, before you add the complexity of multiple. It also gives you time to play with your first round of equipment (receivers, umbrella, stand, etc) and ensure you like them before you double up all the equipment to support the addition of the Vivitar. Maybe you do this for a few weeks or months, then double-up. Plus, your light and packable reflector will never become useless. I take one with me on vacation!

This is a perfect way to, as you put it, "test the waters of OCF without blowing the my wallet to pieces."

Visit Zack Arias's site for info on his excellent OneLight workshop DVD.
http://www.onelightworkshop.com/

Cason · August 27, 2009

Great idea! I have that same reflector. I'm always the type that gets too complex with things. I need to keep it simple. Thanks for the reminder!!

Manfr3d · August 27, 2009

Options:

+ canon off camera ttl coord (nice when you're on the move)
+ Cactus Radio Triggers (cheap)
+ Radio Poppers (allow fast sync speeds, 1/4th the cost of a PW)

Cheap Ways to get 430ex Off Camera

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