st-e2 or another slave? decisions, decisions!

[shutterfiend]

I have a 580ex with an off-camera cord and a 430ex with a silver umbrella on a stand. I usually have the 580ex turned off. It works well. Now I need to add a backlight. I've tried holding the 580 with my left hand into the umbrella on the stand, using the 430 as backlight. It works up close, but I really need a long left arm for anything else.

I want to retain the convenience of wireless ETTL. While the transmitter offers flexibility and room for expansion, another slave is better value for a few extra bucks, IMO. I really can't make my mind up. Please help.

[scot079]

I bought the ST-E2 and it works as advertised. I've done a few outdoor portraits of kids and it was nice to have 2 lights off camera with umbrellas. It beats taking studio lights outside and having a portable power source. If you're shooting mostly on-the-go, buy the ST-E2 and don't look back.

But you could also use that $ to buy some nice monolights.

[shutterfiend]

I don't have a studio at present. I shoot on location and I'm also a lighting novice. I researched a little about Alien Bees but I didn't see any ETTL capabilities. I'm a little hesistant to set multiple flashes up manually. I do tinker with the zoom and ratio but that it. I wouldn't know what to do. I probably need to experiment and get comfortable first.

[Mark-B]

I have a 580ex with an off-camera cord and a 430ex with a silver umbrella on a stand. I usually have the 580ex turned off.

If you usually have the 580 turned off and the only reason it sits on the camera is to fire the 430, then it would make more sense for you to buy the ST-E2. This would allow you to use the 580 with your umbrella and the 430 as a background light.

If the extra money isn't an issue and you think the fill light might come in handy, you would probably be better off to get a 550EX. The current used price is about $100 more than the ST-E2. I would keep the 550 on camera, the 580 on the stand with the umbrella, and the 430 as the background light.

[scot079]

I don't have a studio at present. I shoot on location and I'm also a lighting novice. I researched a little about Alien Bees but I didn't see any ETTL capabilities. I'm a little hesistant to set multiple flashes up manually. I do tinker with the zoom and ratio but that it. I wouldn't know what to do. I probably need to experiment and get comfortable first.


Well you sound like you have a grasp on basic lighting. I would forget about that E-TTL crap. I'll tell you what I do, which is the same for sudio lights or Canon speedlites. Put the main light with umbrella, softbox, or whatever on full power or 1/1. Then use your other light, on camera, or wherever as your fill light. put that one on 1/8 or 1/16. You only want it bright enough to take away shadows caused by the main light.

The reason I say forget E-TTL is because you can take 5 shots with identical subjects, backgrounds, etc. E-TTL may give you different lighting for each one. With manual, I'm certain the next picture will the same as the last UNLESS I change something like shutter or aperture.

[shutterfiend]

Thanks. I'll try the manual settings on the two flashes I have and familiarize myself. I do have a few sunpak and vivitar flashes from another lifetime that I could probably use as well. This is uncharted territory for me, so it's both exciting and terrifying at the same time. I only wish I had a little more time.