Twin or triple flash shooting

[scorp888]

Looking to do some studio type work.

I used to use, cabled slaves, but thought I'd look at trying to do it wirelessly.

I've got.

10D, 2 550EX,.

Do I need, a speedlite transmitter st-e2 to make it work?

Also, any tips, tricks or books, specifically with wireless and or multi flash techniques.

Thanks.

Ian

[Longwatcher]

As long as one of your 550EX is on the camera, you don't need anything else. A ST-E2 will allow for both Flashes to be off-camera though, which may work better for you.

Recommend (ceiling permitting) that you aim the on-camera flash at the ceiling and then position the other with diffuser down as you main light.

As an alternative bounce the on-camera flash off a reflector.

Lastly, remember for the setup to work, both of the infra-red ports must be facing each other (or close enough) (those are the red plastic pieces on the front of the bottom piece). This is a lesson I had to learn the hard way. Sometimes, this means the slave flash must go on only the one side as it won't twist enough otherwise for some things.

I also recommend considering changing the transmit/recieve channels to 2 (I use 3, so won't recommend that one on the oft chance we encounter each other).

Lastly read the manual at least 3 times. Trust me on this one.

Just my experience,

[DaveG]

scorp888 wrote:
Looking to do some studio type work.

I used to use, cabled slaves, but thought I'd look at trying to do it wirelessly.

I've got.

10D, 2 550EX,.

Do I need, a speedlite transmitter st-e2 to make it work?

Also, any tips, tricks or books, specifically with wireless and or multi flash techniques.

Thanks.

Ian

When you read the instruction book for the 550EX flash it's going to imply that you CAN'T use just two flashes. Their example shows three or more flashes, or two flashes and the transmitter.

What you need to do is to change the group for the off camera flash to group B. The camera attached to your camera will default to Group A and you are in business.

There is NO PLACE in the instruction book where this is mentioned.

[scorp888]

Many thanks for the tips guys.

[Jon Borcik]

scorp888 wrote:
Many thanks for the tips guys.

Yeah... Thanks for the info... I'm been mulling over getting just another flash unit or both a flash & ST-E2 Transmitter. This info helps alot... and buys me some time before I actually have to purchase the ST-E2. :)

[Todd]

Greetings All,
I would never recommend an ST-E2. I assumed it had the same capabilites as the 550EX...wrong. Having 3 550EX heads I thought it would be silly to by another flash to control them, however, a fourth 550EX would have been better. The only way I can have 3 different light levels is to shoot in manual and just have the ST-E2 fire the flash heads (this is how I would prefer doing it anyway, however, from what I read alot of people like ETTL). Two groups is all you can control, A fourth 550EX and you have 3 groups. Also, the ST-E2 isn't much cheaper than another 550EX.
Hope this helps someone!

Todd Asher