Flash Slave options?

[Littlebike]

I am thinking that I will need to get a slave system for my flash(s). I know my 550ex can be a master or slave via infrared but I fear line of sight will be a major hinderence.

I also know about the ste... system from canon but that still relies on line of sight.

I am going to be shooting MTB races, X-games type stuff, Dirt Jumping, DH racing, etc. With the geography I am going to be dealing with I think line of sight will be an issue.

What are some good radio options?
Do any do the whole ettl deal?
Will I have to set the power on each flash before placing them? (I am using a 550ex and will be buying the sigma equivelent as slaves in the furte (Completely Canon 10D compatible)).

What question have I not asked that I should?

[kufel]

Don't they use radio rather than IR?
Also - why don't you buy 420EX instead of Sigma?
Regards

[DaveG]

Littlebike wrote:
I am thinking that I will need to get a slave system for my flash(s). I know my 550ex can be a master or slave via infrared but I fear line of sight will be a major hinderence.

I also know about the ste... system from canon but that still relies on line of sight.

I am going to be shooting MTB races, X-games type stuff, Dirt Jumping, DH racing, etc. With the geography I am going to be dealing with I think line of sight will be an issue.

What are some good radio options?
Do any do the whole ettl deal?
Will I have to set the power on each flash before placing them? (I am using a 550ex and will be buying the sigma equivelent as slaves in the furte (Completely Canon 10D compatible)).

What question have I not asked that I should?



I don't see how any small flash is going to help you for this type of work. For shooting NHL hockey or NBA basketball photojounalists will have very powerful monolights set up in the rafters. Of course these would be radio slaved. And I mean powerful! 1000 w/s would be the minimum power.

What the Canon wireless TTL is good for is for room size shoots where you want to have more than "in the hot shoe" flash. You can control the lighting ratio from the master slave position so you can play a whole bunch of lighting games. But this is for small stuff, not lighting Shea stadium.

[Littlebike]

I am not trying to light up stadiums. I want a more in your face style of photo where I am in the action but to not want a flat image. You would have to paruse a Ride, Transworld, or BMX magazine to see some examples.

Often the pictures are lit with multiple flashes but often set in a way were there is no possibility of line of site for IR.

Following are a few examples from the net but not exactly what I am talking about.

Ultimately, most of my multiple flash photos are going to be taken outdoors in the woods, or at skate parks, etc. and since the STE system is more designed for indoor use I fear it would give unreliable results outdoors for these applications.

http://i.timeinc.net//bmx/content/images/set_08_11_03/mcpherson.jpg

http://i.timeinc.net//bmx/content/images/RIDE_0703/standard/RI0703_upf06.jpg

http://i.timeinc.net//bmx/content/images/RIDE_0703/standard/RI0703_upf03.jpg

http://i.timeinc.net//bmx/content/images/RIDE_0703/standard/RI0703_st02.jpg

[Vegas Poboy]

I shoot @ a local drag strip with the 420EX, most of the time I set the camera @ f/8 1/60 of a second with iso @ 400 and it does pretty good. I plan on upgrading to the 550 as soon as I get the rest of my lens out of the way. I really don't think you need a slave just a good high power flash. I was given these setting by a pro sometimes for extra speed I open an extra stop.