580EX --->> Wired or Wireless Umbrella Strobe

[cdifoto]

Aside from the umbrella, stand, mount, and hot shoe pc adapter I need for my XT, does anyone know what I would need to allow the triggering of my 580EX in either a wired (preferable due to cost) or wireless situation? I know sorta what I need...something that allows PC Sync into the 580EX...but does it exist and if so, what's it called, and where would it be? heh. Can I just buy 2 hot shoe to PC Sync adapters, one for the camera, one for the flash and run a cord between?

I'm thinking that I'd like to experiment with a one light setup but avoid buying into an Alien Bee or similiar for now. The Off Camera Shoe Cord 2 is also quite short...

Thanks in advance!

[coreypolis]

its a hotshoe to pc adapter and can be had at any pro photo store. unless you use the off shoe cord 2 or similar, you'll lose ettl, so keep that in mind. manual flash only

wireless can be acheived in a number of ways, pocket wizards, micro sycs, canon st-e2 IR transmitter, ebay cheepo IR transmitters, or even use the built in flash and attach a peanut slave to the 580

[cdifoto]

Ok so help me figure out what I need to do and where. I understand I already need a hot shoe to PC for my camera since it has no PC sync socket. You're saying I can use another one (ie just purchase 2) and run the cable between?

I'm trying to keep it as cost-effective as possible because this isn't anywhere near a permanent solution. I don't necessarily need wireless.

I'm not worried about E-TTL since studio strobes are manual. I have a light meter for exposure.

[coreypolis]

they are different. you can get teh Nikon as-15 for on the camera, but I don't remember the name of the one for the flash. that would be the wired approach, and then to get a sync cord. sync cords will go bad, and fast, so take care of them and always have extras for a important shoot. Don't bother with the coiled ones, they are more of a pain than they are worth


there are some wireless ways, including an el cheepo ebay version that some on this board have tried, the problem here is that you will have to be with in both a distance and angle range

[cdifoto]

Yeah I was thinking corded for reliability. I don't wanna be shooting and have to avoid an angle cuz of not having line of sight to the units. That'd suck. Why do cords go bad though?

You don't know which adapter I'd need for the flash for a PC eh? That's pretty much what has me stumped...

[coreypolis]

flash to sync cord

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=95414&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

camera to sync

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=37086&is=REG&addedTroughType=search


theres different brands and such of those, but that gives you an idea

sync cords are just really fragile cords and are easily abused by getting them tangled or stepped on.

[Lotto]

I think the easier way is to have the off shoe cord extended, and you could still use E-TTL.

[coreypolis]

I think the easier way is to have the off shoe cord extended, and you could still use E-TTL.

and be 2-3 feet away :(

[cdifoto]

lol yeah 2-3 feet? Might as well just keep it on camera as fill. I want to get into some "crazy" experimental OFF camera lighting.

Thanks for those links Corey. I have the Hot Shoe to PC in my wishlist. Just didnt know what to search for for the flash itself.

1 more question. Looks like that PC to Hotshoe for the flash unit has the PC Sync. Would I then buy a linking adapter so I can extend with yet another cord for more reach? Looks like thats what it is...

EDIT: Nevermind. I guess at that point all I need is an actual PC cord.

[coreypolis]

yeah, its a couple inches at best. there are some without a extension, which may be better, as the one I had tended to pull the wire loose from the unit, but on the other hand its a tighter conection with the extension

[cdifoto]

I found a metz male to female 15 footer for 23 bucks.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=35065&is=REG

I'm getting a 60 inch umbrella. I think that'd be a good size (too big maybe though? it's just a 580EX....). I already have a boom stand that can double as a flash stand with the mount I'm buying. 100 bucks to turn the 580EX into a strobe. Not too bad I guess? Cheaper than a regular strobe...and I have the CP-E3 for power. Won't last forever but might be ok for experimentation.

[Lotto]

and be 2-3 feet away :(

How about 2 + 15 feet?:)

http://home.pacbell.net/coolbit/OSC2-extension.jpg

[cdifoto]

Nice hack Lotto. Not sure I wanna rip up an ETTL cord though...

I have this kit I think I'm going to be buying. Can I get some thoughts on it?

1 x 39" Interfit White Translucent Umbrella
1 x 40" Smith-Victor Silver Umbrella w/Black Lining
1 x SP Systems Swivel Bracket
1 x General Brand PC to Hot Shoe Adapter
1 x Kaiser Hot Shoe to PC Adapter
1 x Metz PC Male to PC Female 15' Extention Cord

Total cost: $105.55 shipped to my door.

I'll make my own reflector for now. Both umbrellas so I have some variety with my experiments. Softness for the high school senior style, silver for edgy industrial type.

B&H's umbrellas are a little higher priced but the quality of the PC to hot shoe adapters seemed better than Adorama.

[cdifoto]

Ok another question. Last one I promise. What do I need to hook my light meter into the strobe or camera to fire it? I will have PC between flash and camera...but is there a PC splitter I can get? Cannot seem to locate one on B&H...or do you meter once by unplugging the flash->camera then plugging it back in then shoot away?

[coreypolis]

either way, they do make cords that have one end for the camera and one for the flash and the meter, or you can just plug the camera end into the meter and then plug it back in.

the split one will be faster, though they are generally limited on reach

[cdifoto]

I was debating how I want to do that...fewer cords? or more convenience? lighting wouldnt change much unless you're working outside starting at noon and ending in the evening...then again...

Any idea how to find one of these cords/splitters? What it would be called at B&H? I want to get everything together if I can and save on shipping costs as a well as time.

[cdifoto]

I'm guessing this is what I could use, or at least something similar?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=89996&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

[coreypolis]

wow thats a crazy looking thing.

I tried to find my cord, but it seems they no longer sell it. When I got my Minolta from them it was listed as the recommended sync cord to get for the meter. I think it was a minolta branded one, but regardless I don't see it on their site anymore. It was just a simple 15' cord that was split in the middle

[cdifoto]

Hmm interesting. That's what I was looking for but even the generic search of "pc sync" doesn't bring anything up. It'd be nice to have one for the convenience of "meter and keep moving" but I can get by without. That wierd gadget I would think would do the trick also...but I'd need another pc sync cord. I found some for 10 bucks a piece though so getting 2 of those versus 1 Metz wouldn't be a problem.