wireless speedlite options (other than canon's)

[philpereira]

I've been doing a little bit of research on ways to be able to do off-camera flash, and hopefully someone can set me straight on wireless flash options. If I'm correct, the only system that allows for wireless e-ttl is the canon system.

So, what if I don't particularly need e-ttl, what sort of systems could I use to with my current gear? I figure if I had a light meter, I could just use FEC to reduce the power to an appropriate setting (flashes default to full power when not in e-ttl, right?).

Anyway, if anyone can provide me with the names of a few different systems (and approximate costs if you know them off hand), it would be a big help, since I don't really know what features to look into at this point. Thanks!

[philpereira]

actually I've just been doing some additional searching and using my 420 may not be a feasible option since I can't control its output on the flash (and I'm assuming FEC won't work either).

[JMHPhotography]

I've been doing a little bit of research on ways to be able to do off-camera flash, and hopefully someone can set me straight on wireless flash options. If I'm correct, the only system that allows for wireless e-ttl is the canon system.

So, what if I don't particularly need e-ttl, what sort of systems could I use to with my current gear? I figure if I had a light meter, I could just use FEC to reduce the power to an appropriate setting (flashes default to full power when not in e-ttl, right?).

Anyway, if anyone can provide me with the names of a few different systems (and approximate costs if you know them off hand), it would be a big help, since I don't really know what features to look into at this point. Thanks!

Actually your information is wrong. The Sigma EF-500 DG Super (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/flashes/manuals/F10EO.pdf) is capable of wireless ETTL as well. It does ratios and everything.

[philpereira]

oh yeah, i forgot about the sigma, I've heard that it can be hit or miss to use it with a canon flash, but I can definitely give it a go if it saves some money.

[Curtis N]

Like Forkball said, the Sigma Super will do wireless E-TTL. According to what others have posted in this forum, your 420EX might work as a slave to the Sigma, but maybe not perfectly.

I think your best options would be either a 580EX to use as a master with the 420EX, or possibly two of the Sigma units. Either option will cost about the same money.So, what if I don't particularly need e-ttl, what sort of systems could I use to with my current gear?You can use two flash units via optical slave, but you need two flash units with a manual mode and (preferrably) variable power settings. The slave unit needs to have either a built-in optical slave trigger or a hotshoe-mounted slave trigger (a $35 attachment available at most camera shops). Since the 420EX has no manual mode and doesn't work with optical slave triggers very well, it won't be much use in this scenario, either.

One way to do this relatively cheaply is to buy one Sigma to use on the camera in manual mode, and pickup a used flash unit and slave trigger. Most camera shops have old (but still good) flash units for $50 or less. The Sigma is a very nice, powerful and versatile flash unit in its own right.

[philpereira]

So, let me make sure I've got this right. I should get a flash that can serve as a master, whether it's the sigma or a 550 or 580. I would like the option to work them both off camera, are there any inexpensive radio systems to go on the flashes and camera? Or would I be better off getting another flash unit and keeping a master on the camera and two off-camera? I'm just trying to figure out what sort of options I can have with speedlites (mainly because of the portability).