Lighting Help Pleasee

[dennykyser]

Ok, I know I need to improve my lighting but like a lot of people am on a budget so going to tell you what I have now and have you help me get what I need. Please give me your advice all sugestions will be read and considered.

Cameras. Canon 10D, Elan 7E. (have an adapter for 7e so can use sync cord.)

Flash, Canon 420 ex

Monolight, Medalight with umbrella. (also have 2 lightstand with umbrellas.)

Meter, Sekonic L358.

I tried putting the 420 ex on a slave (photocell with hotshoe) but that did not seem to work would only once when first turned on, then would not fire.

I dont have to shoot E-TTL since I have the meter but not sure if the 420EX can even be used in manual mode, if it can, I didnt see how to set it on Manual.

I used to have the Metz flashes that coule be used on the light stands with umbrellas, not sure if Canon flashes can be or not.

I need at least a 3 light set up for portraits and also want a decent set up when I decide to get back into doing a few weddings.

Thanks for any sugestions on which way to go.

[G3]

I hope I'm understanding your problem correctly. It sounds to me like you need something to work as the master to fire the slave. Both of the lights you mention should work as slaves, but will not work as masters. You need either a 550EX or a ST-E2 Speedlight transmitter to trigger the slaves. A 550EX will actually work over a longer range than the ST-E2.

[dennykyser]

If I purchase the 550EX can I use this with both the 420ex and my medalight strobe or with the speedlites have to be used on a ttl setting?

[robertwgross]

First of all, you might want to decide whether you are going to use E-TTL flash mode or TTL Auto flash mode. Your 10D uses E-TTL as its default mode. When you purchase any Speedlite xxx-EX, then part of the price you pay gets you the E-TTL mode, although some can be operated in TTL mode also. Part of the price gets you the wireless coupling.

If you go with E-TTL, then the 550EX, 420EX, STE2, and other items work together wirelessly and seamlessly.

If you go with TTL, then they don't. Everything needs to be cabled together. This is better if you use studio lights and light meters and sync cables.

If you have the 420EX, then manual flash mode is explained in the instruction manual, page 20.

Take your pick.

---Bob Gross---

[dennykyser]

guess I am still in the air which way I want to go, I am trying to look down the road. I am sure the 550 EX would be a good quick solution but what about down the road will a couple 550ex, and a 420ex be all I need or will I want more and have to go corded or radio anyways??

[G3]

I use both. It depends on the situation. Sometimes I use a combination of 550EX and 420EX Speedlights, and sometimes I use studio strobes. The problem with using E-TTL and trying to use studio strobe slaves is that the pre-flash will trigger the strobe prematurely. You can use both the 550EX and the PC cord to a studio strobe. If you are using studio strobes, you will want to use either manual flash mode or TTL, but not E-TTL. With the 550EX you can disable the pre-flash.

You can actually do quite well with 550EX's and 420EX's bounced into umbrellas or disks with a little experimentation. The limitation when you are using wireless E-TTL is the placement of the flash units. For instance, you can't reliably trigger a slave that is placed directly beside or behind the master. When I'm using this combination, usually I accomplish fill-flash with a diffused reflector and use some light from the main light source instead of a separate fill-flash.

By the way, the ST-E2 and 550EX are not radio controlled. They both use a flash for a trigger. The ST-E2 has a very weak flash as compared to the 550EX, so it's effective distance of coverage is less.

[Vegas Poboy]

If you're going to spend that type of $$$ on Canon flashes you may want to look into a basic set of Strobes. Alien Bees or check out WWW.porters.com for light kits. I've finally decided myself to keep what I Have and invest into a light kit for around $800.00+ Thats close to the same cost of two 550's & the STE2.

[robertwgross]

What Vegas stated is true. Studio lights are good for studios. Speedlites are good for portability. Take your pick.

You could use Speedlites for a studio, and you could (possibly) use studio lights in a portable situation, but neither is optimal.

In a wedding situation, I am running around far too fast to use anything with cables on the carpet.

---Bob Gross---