What's the best way to trigger an off camera 550EX ?

[cmM]

I want to take some group pictures and I want to set the 550EX on a lightstand and bounce it off an umbrella, but the Canon ETTL shoe cord is really short.

Are there any other ways besides the wireless transmitter?

420EX is out of question because it can only be used in slave mode and It's not powerfull enough to provide enough light (main light) and use the 550EX(master) on the camera as fill light...... or is it?

[Ballen Photo]

I want to take some group pictures and I want to set the 550EX on a lightstand and bounce it off an umbrella, but the Canon ETTL shoe cord is really short.

Are there any other ways besides the wireless transmitter?



Chris, I dont know if this is what you have in mind, but take a look at this page on B&H's site.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=4674
-Bruce

[robertwgross]

I want to take some group pictures and I want to set the 550EX on a lightstand and bounce it off an umbrella, but the Canon ETTL shoe cord is really short.

Are there any other ways besides the wireless transmitter?

420EX is out of question because it can only be used in slave mode and It's not powerfull enough to provide enough light (main light) and use the 550EX(master) on the camera as fill light...... or is it?

The wireless transmitter STE2 would do it, or another 550EX wireless master would do it.

As you suggest, the 420EX could be used in wireless slave mode, and its guide number isn't that much less then the 550EX, so you would not be giving up much. It's worth a try.

---Bob Gross---

[cmM]

Well since I need a fill light anyway, I think I'm gonna give the 420EX a try and use the 550 as fill light on the camera. If I find it too weak, I'll just return it and buy another 550.

Thanks

[robertwgross]

The difference in guide numbers is kind of small: 55 versus 42.

---Bob Gross---

[jcsorensen]

Try a PC synch chord. You lose ETTL, but when you start using umbrellas, reflectors, and the such, you probably ought to be using a hand held flash meter. Since it's digital, you can always try the trial and error method using the instant feed back of the LCD screen (it's not perfect, but will get you close) if you don't have a light meter.

I use a 25 foot PC synch chord with my Sigma EF 500 Super. Not sure if the 550EX has a PC synch plug (someone told me once it does not), so you might have to use a hot shoe adapter that has a plug for the PC Synch chord--got mine for just a few bucks.

[DaveG]

The difference in guide numbers is kind of small: 55 versus 42.

---Bob Gross---

Let the bells ring out and the banners fly! I agree with Bob!

Based on those numbers there's about a one stop difference between the 550 and 420. I always wondered but was too lazy to check! Anyway if you used the 550 on the hotshoe and the 420 on a light stand using wireless TTL, it should either work out pretty good, or it won't, and that one extra stop from a 550 probably won't help much either.

The 550/420 Wireless TTL is a great tool for specific jobs. I use it for lighting podiums and for personality portraits for magazines. It's light, obviously portable and gives me good control. But for straight out power, and consistent shot to shot output, I turn to monolights. Perhaps you should consider them as an option.

[cmM]

But for straight out power, and consistent shot to shot output, I turn to monolights. Perhaps you should consider them as an option.
I am, just not as a portable one. No way I'm carrying around alienbees with me.

[DaveG]

But for straight out power, and consistent shot to shot output, I turn to monolights. Perhaps you should consider them as an option.
I am, just not as a portable one. No way I'm carrying around alienbees with me.

It's your choice. But what is your plan if the second 550 isn't enough? Buy three or four more?

[cmM]

shoot at ISO-800 :P
If it's not enough I will not go on location, but rather bring the girls to me, and use monolights (after I buy 'em of course).

[robertwgross]

If it's not enough I will not go on location, but rather bring the girls to me, ...

Nobody can argue with that.

---Bob Gross---