Flash NOOB

[MH_91]

Hello everyone,

Hope you guys doing well,

I bought a new camera, and it’s a Canon 40D. It’s a huge upgrade for me.

Anyway, I have 430 EX II flash, and I really want to start taking pictures “off -camera flash” style. But am SO NOOB when it comes to Flashes. All I know that 430 EX II works ONLY as a slave flash, not a master.

In this case, I want to start learning how off-camera flash works, wirelessly, and what tools I have to buy, in order to do such a thing..

I really appreciate the time you giving to read this :blushing:

Have a good day

 

[Big Mike]

There are two different ways to go.

Firstly is the Canon system. For this, you would need a 'Master' unit, which could be either a 580EX flash or an ST-E2 (mater unit without flash).

In the Canon system, the master & slave units talk to each other, either with flash pulses or IR. You can set up the slave (or group of slaves) to make a ratio from the master unit, or just a light value based on E-TTL metering.
In a nutshell, you can use the auto flash metering on the remote flash, just as if it were on the camera.

The problem with that system, is that unless you are indoors (maybe small room), you need line of site between master & slave, and even then, bright light can cause problem in the communication.

Also, it's not cheap. 580EX flashes are what...$500?

The other way to go, is to use a simple radio trigger. Radio triggers use radio communication, which is much more reliable and versatile than what the Canon units do. However, except for the new TT PW units, all the radio triggers will only give you the ability to fire the flash. So you'd have to use the flash in manual control (and probably the camera as well)....and you would have to figure out the settings yourself (just like using a studio strobe).

On the plus side, you can get a radio trigger set, starting at $40. They can get expensive if you want really good ones (pocket wizards), but there are many options.

 

[Marc-Etienne]

Here is the link the "truth" It's well explain from A to Z for noob to pro.
Good luck

 

[MH_91]

There are two different ways to go.

Firstly is the Canon system. For this, you would need a 'Master' unit, which could be either a 580EX flash or an ST-E2 (mater unit without flash).

In the Canon system, the master & slave units talk to each other, either with flash pulses or IR. You can set up the slave (or group of slaves) to make a ratio from the master unit, or just a light value based on E-TTL metering.
In a nutshell, you can use the auto flash metering on the remote flash, just as if it were on the camera.

The problem with that system, is that unless you are indoors (maybe small room), you need line of site between master & slave, and even then, bright light can cause problem in the communication.

Also, it's not cheap. 580EX flashes are what...$500?

The other way to go, is to use a simple radio trigger. Radio triggers use radio communication, which is much more reliable and versatile than what the Canon units do. However, except for the new TT PW units, all the radio triggers will only give you the ability to fire the flash. So you'd have to use the flash in manual control (and probably the camera as well)....and you would have to figure out the settings yourself (just like using a studio strobe).

On the plus side, you can get a radio trigger set, starting at $40. They can get expensive if you want really good ones (pocket wizards), but there are many options.

Hey Mike,

It’s been a while since we talked, thank you soo much for explaining to me the basics of Flash..

So as I understand, you recommend me for now to buy a 580 EX II or
Buy the radio trigger?

But does the radio Trigger support my 430 EX II? and what is the brand name of the radio trigger that is around $40, and can i find it in McBain camera or Vistek? ( i live in Edmonton too ) lol

 

[MH_91]

Here is the link the "truth" It's well explain from A to Z for noob to pro.
Good luck

thanks mate, i will look at that right now

 

[Big Mike]

You won't find any cheap photo gear around here.

Try this...
Gadget Infinity :: Digital Camera :: Flash Trigger :: Wireless Trigger :: Cactus Wireless Flash Trigger Set V4

 

[MH_91]

You won't find any cheap photo gear around here.

Try this...
Gadget Infinity :: Digital Camera :: Flash Trigger :: Wireless Trigger :: Cactus Wireless Flash Trigger Set V4

Thanks mate!

i might buy this, do you recommend it to me ?? or there is a better one??, i dont mind paying few extra bucks for having a better tool..

thanks again =)

 

[Big Mike]

I haven't tried that one in particular, I had the older model and it did work...but it wasn't reliable.

What I use, are Cyber Sync remotes from Alienbee. A basic set (trigger and reciever) would cost about $150, but they have worked flawlessly for me.
AlienBees - CyberSync™ System

The industry standard for this is the Pocket Wizard Plus II. But they cost $170 each, and you would need at least two of them.
PocketWizard Plus II Transceiver / Radio Slave 801-125 B&H Photo

 

[MH_91]

I haven't tried that one in particular, I had the older model and it did work...but it wasn't reliable.

What I use, are Cyber Sync remotes from Alienbee. A basic set (trigger and reciever) would cost about $150, but they have worked flawlessly for me.
AlienBees - CyberSync™ System

The industry standard for this is the Pocket Wizard Plus II. But they cost $170 each, and you would need at least two of them.
PocketWizard Plus II Transceiver / Radio Slave 801-125 B&H Photo

i just got the Flash Trigger you recommend it to me at 1st place, and hopefully tonight i will start playing around and i will show you the results

thanks once agian.