Help! I need to trigger multiple flash units off-camera!

[fadingsignal]

Hi everyone - I've been a long time reader but this is my first time posting. I've been doing amateur photography for awhile but have just recently stepped up my game. I've been using a pair of Alien Bees B400 strobes with soft boxes, but am starting to try more complicated lighting set ups and have no idea how I can trigger multiple and more importantly, different types of lights.

For the dual B400 set up, I simply purchased a cheap 16-channel digital transmitter/receiver from eBay that was suggested on some other forums. The transmitter sits in the hotshoe, the reciever plugs into the PC teriminal on the B400. Firing one B400 makes the other fire automatically so I'm set.

However, I've introduced my 420-EX flash into the mix. I want to be able to use this along with the B400s for separation/background lighting but I have no idea what I can add to do so. Hell, I don't even know how to trigger a hotshoe flash off-camera by itself let alone in unison with my B400s!

I've read a bit about PocketWizards, but I can't get enough info on how they connect to a strobe unit vs a regular flash, but all I know is I would rather not blow a thousand bucks.

Any suggestions? Ideally I'd like to be able to trigger 4 lights, of any combination.

Thanks!

[Curtis N]

I wouldn't bother trying to use the 420EX together with studio strobes. It's an E-TTL-only flash, and the only way to control it off-camera is through Canon's wireless flash system. This requires a master unit or transmitter that will cost more than the 420EX is worth, and uses infrared signals that will prematurely trigger an optical slave (such as those on the B400s). Triggering the 420EX via PocketWizard or any other method involving a hotshoe adapter will cause it to fire at full power, without any control.

If you want to add a small flash unit to your setup, try a Sunpak 383 and an optical slave.

More info about your options here:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=308108

[Tom Reid]

Use your 420 on camera as a fill light (crank down the output to be one stop lighter, if you have a light meter, otherwise experiment with the output) and place the B400's where you want for effect. The B400's will fire off when the 420 flashes.

If you want a four light setup the simplist thing to do would be to buy another B400 or less expensive unit such as an Opus M100 which will also fire off when it senses another flash. Only drawback to the M100 is their recharge time is longer than the B400.

[PacAce]

Use your 420 on camera as a fill light (crank down the output to be one stop lighter, if you have a light meter, otherwise experiment with the output) and place the B400's where you want for effect. The B400's will fire off when the 420 flashes.

If you want a four light setup the simplist thing to do would be to buy another B400 or less expensive unit such as an Opus M100 which will also fire off when it senses another flash. Only drawback to the M100 is their recharge time is longer than the B400.

The problem with the 420EX is that is a fully automatic flash and does not have any manual flash capability so that means that you won't be able to "crank down the output to be one stop lighter". ;)

[Curtis N]

The B400's will fire off when the 420 flashes.They'll fire with the E-TTL pre-flash and not when the shutter is open.

[Tom Reid]

The problem with the 420EX is that is a fully automatic flash and does not have any manual flash capability so that means that you won't be able to "crank down the output to be one stop lighter". ;)

My mistake...I was thinking the 430.

[MONK3Y_M4GIC]

is the Opus M100 pretty reliable? i am considering getting a low price strobe.

[Tom Reid]

is the Opus M100 pretty reliable? i am considering getting a low price strobe.

I use them in my studio and have found them reliable.

The only problem I had with mine was leaving the model lamp on with the snoot. It caused the glues, etc. within one unit to melt and seep. Lots of heat build up in them and there are no cooling fans. Might have even been a bad unit. None the less they replaced it under warranty.

In my humble opinion the price and reliability is right if you don't use it daily and for hours and hours on end.

[fadingsignal]

Thank you everyone for so much input, specifically thanks to Curtis N as I was actually wondering about the pre-flash / E-TTL etc.

It sounds like the best bet is going to be just picking up another pair of strobes. I'd really like to have a 4-light set up. I'll likely continue to use my "poverty wizards" until I can sport the cash for a handful of PocketWizards.

Thanks again...

[DDCSD]

Thank you everyone for so much input, specifically thanks to Curtis N as I was actually wondering about the pre-flash / E-TTL etc.

It sounds like the best bet is going to be just picking up another pair of strobes. I'd really like to have a 4-light set up. I'll likely continue to use my "poverty wizards" until I can sport the cash for a handful of PocketWizards.

Thanks again...

There is always Elinchrom Skyports as a lower cost, high reliability alternative to Pocket Wizards.

[JakeWilliams]

The problem with the 420EX is that is a fully automatic flash and does not have any manual flash capability so that means that you won't be able to "crank down the output to be one stop lighter". ;)

This may just show my lack of knowledge in flash photography, but I thought you would be able to use the in camera flash exposure compensation to dial down the auto mode of the 420. Is the not the case?

Cheers
Jake

[PacAce]

This may just show my lack of knowledge in flash photography, but I thought you would be able to use the in camera flash exposure compensation to dial down the auto mode of the 420. Is the not the case?

Cheers
Jake

Yes, that is the case, if you use the 420EX in ETTL mode. But then, if the 420EX is in ETTL mode, you won't be able to trigger the B400 strobe with it. Well, actually, you will be able to trigger the B400 with the 420EX but the strobe will be triggered prematurely by the preflash so the 420EX won't be of any use here.

And, yes, you will be able to defeat the preflash by using FEL, but that gets to be a pain after a while. :)