off-camera canon 430ex questions

[smithy]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum, but it looks like a cool place to get helpful advice :)

I have searched the forums about the 430ex but i thought it would be easier to get some advice that's more suited for my problem.. I'm thinking about buying the 430ex for some interior photography i'm doing (interiors of houses), and bouncing it off the ceiling/walls to balance the natural light..

Though i need the flash to be off the camera obviously. So i know i have 2 options to do this, either wireless or by a PC sync cord. I know that with the cheap wireless ebay units you loose the automatic capability, but the 430ex has a wireless receiver built in so wouldnt a cheap transmitter that goes on the hot shoe of the camera simply work with the flash directly that way?

If i dont go wireless, and i connected the flash and camera via a Sync cord, would the flash then work automatically? But what exact equipment (because i'm really unsure of what i need), would i need to set it up with my 350D??

Well thats it, hope someone can help me out with this, it would be really appreciated.

Cheers.

[vetkrazy]

If you use the ebay transmitter you will need the reciever also. Canon used propriatory technology. Also you then loose ettl on the flash. I have not used a sync cord before so I can't help there. Depending on your budget you might consider a 550 or 580ex as the on camera master or use the Canon ST E2 to control one or more off camera flashes. I have used the ST E2 with 2/3 flashes for interior work and had good results.

Bruce

[Curtis N]

There are only two ways to maintain E-TTL metering with off-camera flash.
First is the Canon Off Camera Shoe Cord 2 (or aftermarket equivalent). It costs around $50. It's only a few feet long but could be extended if you're into DIY projects (there's a thread up in the stickies that shows how to do it).

The second method is to use a master unit with Canon's wireless E-TTL system. This could be an ST-E2 transmitter ($220) or a 580EX Speedlite ($380). There are no "cheap" transmitters that allow you to maintain E-TTL.

For adding light to interiors you shouldn't need E-TTL though. Manual flash will work as long as you can adjust the power. Now you have several options, from PC cords to optical slaves to radio slave systems.

This thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=246797) might give you a few ideas.

[smithy]

Thanks alot for the replies... I think i'm going to sway to the Canon off shoe cord for the moment, and might think about getting a cheap wireless transmitter later on. I think it will be handy having for the fact of having a wireless setup and the automatic corded setup.

I think i'll end up DIY'ing the hot shoe cord, but with a lot of precaution :)

Cheers for the help.