Trouble finding the right wireless transmitter for my flash

[robrod14]

Hello,

I am new to lighting (and off camera lighting) when it comes to photography. I took a lighting course and we used and off camera cord for our flash. Yesterday, I was messing around with my off camera flash and I kept pulling over the lightstand and umbrella trying to keep the light close to my subject but bring the camera further back. It was quickly apparent that i will need to use a wireless setup. When it comes to wireless the only thing I have heard of are pocketwizards. Are these the only wireless off camera flash brands?

I have a Canon 5d and 1 Speedlight 430 exii. I would like to get a wireless system that goes off of radio frequency and is E-TTL compatible. On Pocket Wizards website I see two systems, MiniTT1-Canon and FlexTT5-Canon. Do I have to purchase both of these to get my camera and flash to talk to each other? Do I only need to purchase 1 of them? or do I have to purchase 2 of the FlexTT5-Canon or 2 of the MiniTT1-Canon? Really just trying to figure out what is the least i have to purchase (of those systems) to get 1 camera and 1 flash to work while being off camera (i will worry about more flashes later).

Also if there is a better suggestion for wireless systems those are welcomed also. I have no preference to pocket wizards, it is just all i hear about when looking at videos.

 

[JacaRanda]

Which 5d do you have?

Here is one option Amazon.com : Yongnuo YN622 Wireless ETTL Flash Trigger Receiver Transmitter Transceiver : Camera Flash Synch Cords : Camera & Photo . You would need to purchase two.

 

[robrod14]

i have the 5d Mark II. From reading through the questions on the link you sent me it appears it will do everything i need it to do. It comes with two already and i could buy a second pair if i wanted to use three speedlights. I'm not sure but i think it is saying it will not allow for remote operation of my camera if i have the speedlight 430, but that's ok.

Thank you

 

[JacaRanda]

You are welcome.

If you decide to purchase additional flash units, you may also consider these Amazon.com : Yongnuo YN-568EX II, YN568EX II Flash, High speed, Ultra powerful GN master control, Off camera speedlite for Canon : Camera Flash Light Diffusers : Camera & Photo.

 

[ronlane]

The Phottix Odin TTL Flash triggers would work as well. I have the Atlas II's, which aren't TTL and I really like them.

 

[cynicaster]

I have a set of 4 of the Yongnuo units JacaRanda posted and have been using them for, geeze, probably close to a year now. They have worked flawlessly so far, not failing to fire once. There was one time when it looked like one of them wasn't working, but it was only because of poor contact with the flash terminals, so technically I think that would be operator error (I should have verified communication before setting up the lights).

 

[snerd]

................ I'm not sure but i think it is saying it will not allow for remote operation of my camera if i have the speedlight 430.................

I see the 430EX II listed as supported.

ETA: My bad. Just reread it and you're right.

 

[daggah]

On the off chance you're interested in TTL radio triggers for remote power control, and not for TTL itself...you may want to look into the new Cactus V6 trigger system that's out now. It can remotely control power settings on a huge variety of TTL flashes, and can remotely control both power and zoom settings for Cactus RF60 flashes, which contain a compatible radio receiver in the flash units themselves.

 

[davisphotos]

I have both the Youngnuo YN-622C system, and the Phottix Odin. The Odin is a better system, albeit more expensive. The Youngnuo's use the camera's flash menu to control power and other options, and I think you need the 430EX II for that. The Odin is listed as compatible with the 430EX.