Off camera flash AND shutter triggering

[SoCarRob]

So I'm looking to purchase a little more gear for my kit. I want to be able to wirelessly trigger my shutter and have the capability of being able to trigger an off camera flash as well. I'm unsure exactly what I need to purchase to be able to do this. I see there are wireless shutter release devices and there are wireless flash triggers. Do they accomplish the same thing? It seems like it would make sense for a device to be able to do just that as the result would be an ultra sharp well lit photo from a tripod. I need a bit of assistance in picking out what kind of device to purchase to accomplish my goal. TIA!

 

[table1349]

Transceivers such as these.

 

[smoke665]

Are you possibly talking about "Tethering"???? An Introduction to Tethered Shooting . Tethering gives you the ability to make camera adjustments, focus, and trigger the shutter remotely either via wireless or cable connection. My Pentax supports full wireless operation from either my tablet or pc, with a Flu Card plug in. I actually found one the other day, for a reasonable price, and ordered it, anxious to see how well it works. A camera tethered, would fire either an on camera flash or one connected by wireless trigger, slave.

Here's another reference for software that will connect your camera. I haven't used it because there have been some disappointing results with my model. pkTriggerCord Be aware this is a freeware type software, and you use it at your own risk.

 

[dunfly]

Wireless triggers and flash trigger systems are two different things, but you can use them together. What you get depends on what camera you have. A wireless shutter release can be relatively cheap. I've seen them from $4.00 up to about $20.00. Wireless flash triggers are another thing altogether. Most require a hot shoe on the camera although you can get a slave flash that will trigger of the in camera flash. Wireless flash triggers usually come in two pieces, a transmitter that fits on the hot shoe and a receiver on which the flash is mounted. You can go cheap or expensive depending on how much you want to control the flash. I don't use flash that much so I don't really care if they are TTL compliant. I use a simple transmitter/receiver I bought from B&H and just manually control the flash.

Impact PowerSlave Wireless Flash Transmitter and Receiver PSL-N

This one is for Nikon, but I think they have the same thing for a Canon. In any event, you have to make sure they are compatible with the camera you have.

 

[FotosbyMike]

To best answer this question, first we would need to know what camera system you are using along with flashes/strobes...etc. and a budget ( $$ amount please) cheap doesn't really help.

But you have many options:
Pocket Wizards Plus III can do the how job but are not cheap
Wireless shutter release with some wireless flash transmitters/receivers

All depends on what you want there are a lot of options.

 

[SoCarRob]

Basically I'm interested in mounting my Canon Rebel T5 (1200D) on a tripod with an extension tube for some pseudo macro work with focus stacking. I don't want the camera to move at all hence the shutter triggering. And I want to experiment with lighting my subject with off camera flash. I don't have a lot to spend, about a hundred dollars. If it helps I only need to trigger one flash and it can be in manual mode.

 

[astroNikon]

I use an inexpensive Vello brand remote camera trigger to trigger my camera. I have it rubber banded to my tripod all the time. It normally goes in the hotshoe (no contacts) but since the Flash Trigger is there I rubber band it to the tripod.

I then use a Yongnuo 622TX on my hotshoe to RF remote flashes.

 

[SoCarRob]

That would do the trick right there. I don't mind rubber banding something to the tripod

 

[smoke665]

with focus stacking.

If you're doing focus stacking you might want to add one of these. Pro Version 4 Way Macro Shot Focusing Focus Rail Metal Slider For DSLR Camera | eBay I bought one of these just to play with. Worked surprisingly well to be that cheap.

 

[astroNikon]

Just like this. 622TX on the hotshoe.
Vello with rubber band around the head. Connector from remote trigger to the camera port. Works just fine.

 

[table1349]

To best answer this question, first we would need to know what camera system you are using along with flashes/strobes...etc. and a budget ( $$ amount please) cheap doesn't really help.

But you have many options:
Pocket Wizards Plus III can do the how job but are not cheap
Wireless shutter release with some wireless flash transmitters/receivers

All depends on what you want there are a lot of options.

That's why I suggested the PlusX. Plus they are cheaper than the Plus III

"Our Auto-Sensing Transceiver Technology lets you trigger a remote camera in sync with remote flashes using only 3 PocketWizard radios: the one in your hands, a PlusX cabled to your remote camera, and the one connected to your remote flash. The PlusX cabled to your remote camera will receive a radio signal and trigger the camera’s motor drive, then switch to transmit mode and trigger your PocketWizard-connected remote flashes on the next channel up, all automatically. Start the sequence by simply pressing the TEST button of any PocketWizard transmitter in your hands. Remote cameras require motor drive cables. Find the correct cable for your gear using the PocketWizard Cable Finder."

Quote from Pocketwizard Website. Pocketwizard® - Wireless transmitters and receivers

 

[weepete]

I believe the budget option would be 3 Yonguno RF-603Cs and an N1 cable to connect one to the camera shutter. The 603Cs are transmitters and recievers so one set as a transmitter should fire the other two. No ettl though so would be all manual. Disclaimer - I've not tried it myself as I only have two (and they work great), but from what I've read it should work.

 

[SoCarRob]

That would work, and additionally I can buy more if I want to add more in the future without worrying if the devices are cross compatible.

Also the focus slide rail is ingenious. Thanks for that. I'd not considered that piece of kit!

There are so many possibilities in this hobby. I want to try so many things. Macro photography has always intrigued me. Unfortunately my budget limits what gear I can buy (that's O.K., I just have to get creative!)

 

[table1349]

That would work, and additionally I can buy more if I want to add more in the future without worrying if the devices are cross compatible.

Also the focus slide rail is ingenious. Thanks for that. I'd not considered that piece of kit!

There are so many possibilities in this hobby. I want to try so many things. Macro photography has always intrigued me. Unfortunately my budget limits what gear I can buy (that's O.K., I just have to get creative!)

It would with the Pocketwizards, not sure it would with the Yongunos. You might want to check their cross compatibility.

 

[dasmith232]

YN 603s will talk to any number of YN603s even crossing the Canon/Nikon. Specifically, I have a box of 603s; some are 603Ns and some are 603Cs. (I teach classes on multiple flash photography through Meetup and frequently am working with both Canon and Nikon systems.

On a similar note, YN622s will talk to any number of 622s and they have no issues being in different groups (up to 3) and keeping track. I have a handful of 622s (7 I think). I have only the Canon version of the 622s, but I can put them into the hotshoe of Canon, Nikon or Sony (and have done that many times), and it all works.

The 603s and the 622s do not interact at all. But they also don't interfere with each other either. I can use 622s for flash triggering and the 603 for synchronized remote release.

The 622s are great at triggering and do ETTL. The 603 are great at shutter release and do fine with (manual) flash trigger.

The Pocket Wizards do it all, although I don't have experience with them.