hellp with IR trigger

[Cherepashka]

I am new in photography, and i will appreciate of any hellp from you, guys! I use 400D, just have bouht Elichrome flash ligting D-Lite 2 Twin Softbox Kit. Can anyone tell me, please, what else do I need to get, to start take glamour pictures and get better results? Flashmeter? Then.. IR trigger or Pocket Wizard or go for Digital Radio Trigger? Any cables like PC cable? I am so confused! Can anyone hellp me please?

[FlashZebra]

Since you are new to this and seem a bit overwhelmed keep it simple.

Just start with a cord from one of your studio flash units to your camera.

After you get that all sorted out and use the gear for a while, then branch out to more complicated ways to fire your studio flash units (radio slaves, etc.).

But, start with a cord. And you will always have that cord as a backup to whatever system you gravitate to later.

For your Canon D400 to the D-lites your will need two items:

A camera hotshoe to PC adapter (this sets on your camera's hotshoe and allows you to plug in a cord with the "PC" connection). Get one that has a shoe locking ring so the adaptor does not wobble on your camera's hotshoe.
A 15 foot (or 5 meter) cord with a PC connector on one end and a 3.5mm mini plug (male) on the other. One of these may have come with your D-lite flash units (I think the D-lites use the mini plug sync adapter).All you need to do is fire one of your D-lite flash units. The others will automatically fire via their built in optical slaves.

Enjoy! Lon

[Cherepashka]

Thank you so much for your help. And what do you think, shall I buy flash meter to mesure the exposure, to get better results, or it will be to difficult for me to lern so many things saim time?

[FlashZebra]

A light meter would certainly be helpful, but not absolutely necessary.

The Canon 400D has a nice histogram feature that will let you evaluate test exposures for guidance on setting your actual exposures.

Just set the gear up and get started. Do not let the idea that you need additional expensive gear inhibit you from engaging now.

Enjoy! Lon

[steveathome]

A flash meter would certainly help getting your ratios right when using more than one head, but if at approximate equal distances the D-Lites are very accurate and consistent, and so maybe you could also rely on the exposure adjustment on them.

I would recommend experimenting with your highest shutter sync speed, you may find you need to slow it up a little when using off camera strobes.

You can also get a half decent radio trigger for around £15 on ebay.