Off camera flash question

[PhotosByEric]

I currently have a 580ex and am looking at getting it off camera without using wires.

I'm trying to decided between a sigma 500 super or the st-e2. The sigma is cheaper and it gives me another flash so I don't see why I would need the st-e2? Am I missing something?

This will just be to take a few snaps of the kids and maybe some still life things.

Thanks for any advice,

Eric

[Golferdude1977]

If you are wanting wireless, then you will need to get and st-e2 or pocket wizzard type gizzmo. If you get another flash, get a 430 or another 580. Your 580 can control the the 430 or another 580, but it is with a line of sight. But indoors it works great for me. Out doors you pretty much have to be able to have a line of sight from you camera flash to the offshoe flash.. If you get a 580 you also have a backup flash. The canon won't control the sigma. I have 3 580ex II's and it works great for me.

Jimmy

[Curtis N]

Either the Sigma Super or a 430EX should work fine as a slave to the 580EX.

[PhotosByEric]

If you are wanting wireless, then you will need to get and st-e2 or pocket wizzard type gizzmo. If you get another flash, get a 430 or another 580. Your 580 can control the the 430 or another 580, but it is with a line of sight. But indoors it works great for me. Out doors you pretty much have to be able to have a line of sight from you camera flash to the offshoe flash.. If you get a 580 you also have a backup flash. The canon won't control the sigma. I have 3 580ex II's and it works great for me.

Jimmy

I always thought that sigmas would slave to the 580?

[PhotosByEric]

Either the Sigma Super or a 430EX should work fine as a slave to the 580EX.

That's what I was thinking. If I can find a good deal on the sigma super it shouldn't cost more than the st-e2 and it would give me two flashes.

That is where I was confussed. For the same amount of money I could have another flash instead of just a flash controller. That didn't seem right so I figured I was missing something.

Eric

[Golferdude1977]

Sorry...I thought the Canon was proprietary to only canon flashes...I don't have Sigma's so I would have to rely on Curtis on that one... Can you do the ratio's with the sigma also? How much can you control of the sigma? Guess we will both learn on this one.. :)

[Curtis N]

I haven't done this sort of mixed marriage but others have reported that the Sigma works well as a slave to a Canon master (but not the other way around). You need to do a little translating because Canon designates groups as A,B,C while Sigma designates them as 1,2,3.

Ratios work fine, as they are controlled by the master.

the Metz 58 also can be used in this manner.

[PhotosByEric]

Thanks for the help guys, now I have to find a good deal on a sigma super.

Eric