Set-up question from a flash newbie

[Galaxy99]

I have a EX430 and looking forward to buying a EX580 II for about $350. If I like to do some outdoor(against sun) and indoor (could be high/low celling, group shots over 15, etc...) portrait shots, How should I set up with my two flashes?

I assume 580 can be master and Ex430 is slave, both can be off camera wirelessly, correct? I guess I need to buy two stands to place flashes on with reflecting umbrellas. which ones have the best price for that purpose? Then I will have to scratch my head for correct exposure? Does ETTL do its work automatically without any extra setting, all things I need to do are adjusting ISO, shuttle speed/aperture under manual mode to find best result?

I have read threads posted by Masters here which are absolutely valuable. However, I am still not sure about the answers of my newbie questions. Maybe it is too basic...Your input is appreciated.

[Mike McCusker]

B&H has a very reasonable umbrella, stand kit. Sorry I don't remember the exact name.

You will have to wait for the flash gurus (Curtis N etc) to answer the rest of your ques.

[jgogums]

Sorry...can't give you specific answers but have you looked at http://strobist.blogspot.com/? Recently started wading through his site and seems geared towards what you want to do (small portable set ups). Many seem to utilize his approach, although I agree that the experts that post here at POTN are extremely valuable.

[QX56]

I just order this kit : http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/425220-REG/Impact_DFUMK_Digital_Flash_Umbrella_Mount.html

[scot079]

I have a EX430 and looking forward to buying a EX580 II for about $350. If I like to do some outdoor(against sun) and indoor (could be high/low celling, group shots over 15, etc...) portrait shots, How should I set up with my two flashes?

I assume 580 can be master and Ex430 is slave, both can be off camera wirelessly, correct? I guess I need to buy two stands to place flashes on with reflecting umbrellas. which ones have the best price for that purpose? Then I will have to scratch my head for correct exposure? Does ETTL do its work automatically without any extra setting, all things I need to do are adjusting ISO, shuttle speed/aperture under manual mode to find best result?

I have read threads posted by Masters here which are absolutely valuable. However, I am still not sure about the answers of my newbie questions. Maybe it is too basic...Your input is appreciated.

To get 2 flashes off camera you need ONE of the options below:

A: A hot shoe to PC adpater and PC sync cord to the master (580)

B: Another 5XX series speedlite

C: ST-E2 Speedlite transmitter

D: Third party transmitter (Pocket Wizard, Elinchrom Skyport)

[Tommy]

Check out http://strobist.blogspot.com/. This site will teach you all you need to know. ;)

[Galaxy99]

To get 2 flashes off camera you need ONE of the options below:

A: A hot shoe to PC adpater and PC sync cord to the master (580)

B: Another 5XX series speedlite

C: ST-E2 Speedlite transmitter

D: Third party transmitter (Pocket Wizard, Elinchrom Skyport)

Hmmmm, If I leave 580 on the camera, do I still need one of the options you mentioned above? (Does a 580 on board can wirelessly control 430 which is off camera on a stand?)

[Galaxy99]

Check out http://strobist.blogspot.com/. This site will teach you all you need to know. ;) thanks, Wow, there are loads of information... Need to put some time aside to read those...

[Bruno1520]

(Does a 580 on board can wirelessly control 430 which is off camera on a stand?)

Yes with the 580EX 11 on your camera you will have full wireless control of your 430EX on the stand.
I have a 580EX 11 and a 420EX (which is the model before your 430EX) and this setup works just fine for me.
Ive been trying to understand all the options of getting the flash off the camera over the last few months myself.
I might be a slow learner but its taken me months to get my head around all the complexity's of off camera flash and I'm nowhere near yet!
Ray

[Galaxy99]

Yes with the 580EX 11 on your camera you will have full wireless control of your 430EX on the stand.
I have a 580EX 11 and a 420EX (which is the model before your 430EX) and this setup works just fine for me.
Ive been trying to understand all the options of getting the flash off the camera over the last few months myself.
I might be a slow learner but its taken me months to get my head around all the complexity's of off camera flash and I'm nowhere near yet!
RayThanks Ray for your confirmation. Is there any special set up you need to do on flash/camera to make 4xxEx as slave? I only have 430 right now, I don't see such option for some reason... I may miss something though...

[Bruno1520]

When you get the new 580EX 11 it will all be in the 'not very good' manual. I still have to get it out when ever I use the flash but yes you do all the main setting on the 580, its all there.
Ive pick up a lot just reading through the posts in this forum, more than reading the Canon manual --- over and over lol!
Off camera flash sure is a whole new facet to photography.

Ray

[scot079]

Hmmmm, If I leave 580 on the camera, do I still need one of the options you mentioned above? (Does a 580 on board can wirelessly control 430 which is off camera on a stand?)

Nope, that would work just fine. (Option B, LOL) Good luck :)

[Familiaphoto]

Read this series, it will get you started with ETTL off camera flash setup and use.

ETTL Wireless Remote Flash - Part I: Working with a single remote flash (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=385912)

ETTL Wireless Remote Flash - Part II: Working with multiple remote flashes (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=386863)