Canon IR System Question

[crackaonrice]

Does it benefit me any to get 3 580EX II's as slaves over buying 3 420ex's?

Besides the power difference, what benefits will I see using the 580ex II's as slaves as opposed to a cheaper, older IR compatible flash?

The price difference is quite huge actually, and if I will not be getting substantial benefit from using the most up to date canon flash, I'd rather save the money for something else.

Tried reading the eos flash bible but didn't really get a definitive response. Any wise guys out there ? :)

[leitch]

The biggest bummer I have found with the 420ex flash unit is that it has no manual capability. I find mine is constantly dwarfed in power by my two 580ex (one mk1, one mkII) when I use the three together. I often fire all three wirelessly via my ST-e2, and will either have the 580s on a manual setting or E-TTL +/- some amount of FEC, and the lack of similar adjustability is often frustrating with the 420ex. If I were you, I'd be looking at the 430ex units for use as slaves - cheaper than the 580ex series and with the benefits of manual control and E-TTL.

What are you going to be using to trigger the flashes?

[crackaonrice]

I'm looking at the Canon infrared system right now triggered by a 580EX or 580EX II.

I may opt for radio poppers later on when they're more "street tested"

[leitch]

Okay, yeah. The reason I asked what you were triggering with is I was going to say a 580ex or exII may be a good idea as it can be used both as a master or as a slave if you find the need for a fourth off-camera flash (trigger via ST-e2, poverty wizards, whatever). Obviously that's already your plan, though :)

I guess it can depend on your intended use, but I find in my area of shooting (I shoot a lot of BMX/MTB etc) I really need the manual control that comes with the newer flashes. I made a mistake buying a 420ex, and the only thing I really use it for now is if I absolutely need a 3rd light for fill etc. I'll be replacing it with a 430ex at the next opportunity I get.

[crackaonrice]

This sounds like sound advice so far. Thanks Andrew.

Anybody else out there?

[Curtis N]

Andrew makes sense. I think the 420EX is a unit to avoid, unless you find a very inexpensive one.

The following units will all work as slaves with the Canon wireless system, in E-TTL or manual mode:
430EX, 550EX, 580EX, 580EX II.

[Photodawg1]

Okay, yeah. The reason I asked what you were triggering with is I was going to say a 580ex or exII may be a good idea as it can be used both as a master or as a slave if you find the need for a fourth off-camera flash (trigger via ST-e2, poverty wizards, whatever). Obviously that's already your plan, though :)

I guess it can depend on your intended use, but I find in my area of shooting (I shoot a lot of BMX/MTB etc) I really need the manual control that comes with the newer flashes. I made a mistake buying a 420ex, and the only thing I really use it for now is if I absolutely need a 3rd light for fill etc. I'll be replacing it with a 430ex at the next opportunity I get.

HAHAHAHHHAAAA! Poverty Wizards, absolutely love that!!!