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Psychobiker
5th of November 2007 (Mon), 08:46
Hey,

Just curious, for a small home studio learning-by-experimentation setup, using a 430EX as my main flash and an old Soligor (in sig - I've got a favourable result by hacking it to go full-power) as a fill/in softbox/brolly, both could be off camera etc etc, would this be a good place to start fiddling (before jumping the gun into strobes), as all it could leave me with in the worst case is a spare flash, one which I'm already getting very close to needing!

L
Curtis N
5th of November 2007 (Mon), 09:03
That should work. 430EX via PC cord, Soligor via optical slave attachment. You'll need adapters. See this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=308108)for details.

Since you can't adjust the power on the Soligor you'll need to use distance and other methods to get the ratio you want.
Psychobiker
5th of November 2007 (Mon), 11:18
:) Exactly, I know I'll need triggers, etc. DO you know of any optotriggers that are ETTL compatible?

L
Curtis N
5th of November 2007 (Mon), 11:27
DO you know of any optotriggers that are ETTL compatible?Wein makes some "digital slaves" which supposedly are made to ignore the E-TTL preflash. I haven't used them myself, they're a bit pricey, and the few reviews I've seen haven't been very positive.

Since your Soligor flash will be full power manual anyway, you'll be better off firing the 430EX in manual mode so you can control output and ratios. Then any old slave sensor will work.
Psychobiker
5th of November 2007 (Mon), 12:05
That's another thing I was thinking - get it to ETTL, note the settings...etc etc

L
Curtis N
5th of November 2007 (Mon), 13:24
get it to ETTL, note the settings...etc etcBut there's no way to tell how much flash power is being used with E-TTL, so that won't help you. You may as well just go manual and use trial-and-error, or better yet, a flash meter.
ghostman
5th of November 2007 (Mon), 13:26
That should work. 430EX via PC cord, Soligor via optical slave attachment. You'll need adapters. See this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=308108)for details.

Since you can't adjust the power on the Soligor you'll need to use distance and other methods to get the ratio you want.

I believe the Hama PC Cord to Hotshoe linked to in that thread does not have a threaded tripod hole. The General Brand (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/95414-REG/General_Brand_SF941_PC_to_Hot_Shoe.html) claims to have one (though it was the subject of poor review in one of the stickies) and the Kaiser (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/109454-REG/Kaiser_201301_PC_to_Hot_Shoe.html) claims to have one as well. Note that I said "claim" because I bought a used General Brand one from B&H yesterday and it did not have the threaded hole.
Psychobiker
5th of November 2007 (Mon), 13:29
I'll be avoiding the General Brand ones, cheers, based on reviews. I'll see how I get on in trial-and-error mode, seeing as it's so much nicer with dSLR :D. I'm only experimenting, but is it worth getting a flash meter anyway?

Mrs PB, as an artist and one who knows fabric, is being dead helpful in designing softboxes and the like :)..women are great to have on hand as fabric consultants. We're taking the spare room and turning it into a micro-studio for her painting and my photo gear

L

L
mrludecrs
6th of November 2007 (Tue), 21:58
In for updates as this is the direction I'm basically going.
FlashZebra
6th of November 2007 (Tue), 22:46
I believe the Hama PC Cord to Hotshoe linked to in that thread does not have a threaded tripod hole. The General Brand (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/95414-REG/General_Brand_SF941_PC_to_Hot_Shoe.html) claims to have one (though it was the subject of poor review in one of the stickies) and the Kaiser (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/109454-REG/Kaiser_201301_PC_to_Hot_Shoe.html) claims to have one as well. Note that I said "claim" because I bought a used General Brand one from B&H yesterday and it did not have the threaded hole.I am looking at a pile of about fifty Kaiser flash hotshoe adapters beside my keyboard.

The Kaiser hotshoe definitely has a threaded tripod hole.

The Hama does not have a threaded hole.

Enjoy! Lon
Psychobiker
7th of November 2007 (Wed), 02:55
nice one Lon!
Psychobiker
15th of November 2007 (Thu), 04:43
Change of plans - looking at a 500DG Super now, which has optical trigger.

Now, just planning how to do this. I'd like to be able to use both flashes off-camera, so, methinks it'd be a good idea to get a hotshoe-PC adapter and throw the Soligor on that, and then let the 500DG trigger in manual from optical..sound like a plan?

L