430ex - optical? skyports with flash on camera?

[BadgirlIROC]

I guess when I got the 430ex I thought it had the built-in optical trigger..... but does it not? I have it and a sunpak 383 and typically fire the 430ex with skyports off-camera and the 383 with optical trigger....but I'd like to have the ability to use the on-board flash as fill at times or put the 430ex on the hotshoe and use skyports to fire the 383 and something else (when I get something else).... but it seems I can't use the skyports if the flash is up or if another flash is on the hotshoe...... right? Has anyone else run into this and is there a solution?


THANKS!

[PacAce]

I'm pretty sure that the SkyPort Tx unit has a sync socket to plug a cable that connects to the PC socket of the camera.

[BadgirlIROC]

I have the universal set and the transmitter goes directly on the hotshoe. There are no other places to connect..... :-(

[PacAce]

The description of the Skyport Transmitter I'm looking at says "Includes Hotshoe with Sync socket" and the pictures shows a cable plugged into the side of the unit. It looks like it's on the side (right) of the hotshoe but I can't tell for sure. So, your unit doesn't have such a socket?

[SkipD]

The description of the Skyport Transmitter I'm looking at says "Includes Hotshoe with Sync socket" and the pictures shows a cable plugged into the side of the unit. It looks like it's on the of the hotshoe but I can't tell for sure. So, your unit doesn't have such a socket?Both of my transmitters have the sockect and they were supplied with cables to trigger them from a PC jack.

[PacAce]

Both of my transmitters have the sockect and they were supplied with cables to trigger them from a PC jack.

Thanks for the confirmation, Skip.

There you go, BadGirl. You should be able to connect your SkyPort via a PC sync cable, too.

[BadgirlIROC]

OK I found a socket.....so small I really didn't even see it at first! But even if it's plugged in - where does the PC cord connect... the 430 doesn't have a place for a socket? I'm sorry to sound stupid but I have the 350D if that tells you anything. .... maybe I'm completely overthinking this!

[PacAce]

OK I found a socket.....so small I really didn't even see it at first! But even if it's plugged in - where does the PC cord connect... the 430 doesn't have a place for a socket? I'm sorry to sound stupid but I have the 350D if that tells you anything. .... maybe I'm completely overthinking this!

Well, you can use a hotshoe with PC socket adapter like this one:

http://flashzebra.com/hotshoes-shoes/0064.shtml

The SkyPort PC cable would plug into the PC socket on the side of this adapter. But you'll have to operate whatever flash you mount on the hotshoe adapter in manual mode. And, of course, you won't be able to use the built-in flash if the camera hotshoe is being used.

[FlashZebra]

I guess when I got the 430ex I thought it had the built-in optical trigger..... but does it not? I have it and a sunpak 383 and typically fire the 430ex with skyports off-camera and the 383 with optical trigger....but I'd like to have the ability to use the on-board flash as fill at times or put the 430ex on the hotshoe and use skyports to fire the 383 and something else (when I get something else).... but it seems I can't use the skyports if the flash is up or if another flash is on the hotshoe...... right? Has anyone else run into this and is there a solution?
THANKS!
You will not be able to use the built in flash for fill at ther same time you use an optical slave on the 383.

The built in flash always fires a preflash and the preflash will trip the optical slave before the shutter is open.

Enjoy! Lon

[BadgirlIROC]

Oh goodness- so I will need another gadget for the hotshoe just to make the hotshoe able to take the 430ex and connect the skyport....?

Like I always say- You have to get more because you need more because what you got takes more!

[Curtis N]

I would forget about using the built-in flash on the camera in conjunction with other units.

You have the beginnings of a useful setup. If you want to add more lights, consider another Sunpak 383 and another optical slave to go with it.

[BadgirlIROC]

ok- well, I was just trying to get the most out of what I have. I will most likely get another 383- I love that thing!

[FlashZebra]

There is one more obscure workaround, if you are willing to use the 383 on camera in manual mode.

You can trigger the skyport transmitter by connecting the optical slave to the Skyport transmitter and letting the on camera 383 (in manual mode only) trigger the Skyport transmitter.

This is an off camera flash triggering trick sometimes used on point and shoot cameras that have no built in sync port (or hotshoe), but have a built in flash capable of a manual mode.

So, put the 383 on camera in manual mode on the cameras hotshoe, connect your optical slave to the Skyport transmitter using the 383 cord and optical slave, and connect your Skyport receiver to the 430EX off camera using a hotshoe adapter.

This would get you an on camera flash, an off camera radio activated flash, and no additional gear.

But like Curtis indicates, forget the on camera's built in flash and any ETTL.

Enjoy! Lon

[BadgirlIROC]

Oh wow! Interesting idea- I will try that. I was afraid to put the 383 on my 350D for fear of voltage issues.... (and I always use manual) I will try that out.

[FlashZebra]

Oh wow! Interesting idea- I will try that. I was afraid to put the 383 on my 350D for fear of voltage issues.... (and I always use manual) I will try that out.
The Sunpak 383 will not harm your Canon 350D.

The 350D will take up to 250 Volts on the sync circuit (older Canon DSLR cameras are not so robust).

The 383 will be under 15 Volts and more likely about 6 Volts.

Enjoy! Lon

[hastur]

There is one more obscure workaround, if you are willing to use the 383 on camera in manual mode.

You can trigger the skyport transmitter by connecting the optical slave to the Skyport transmitter and letting the on camera 383 (in manual mode only) trigger the Skyport transmitter.

This is an off camera flash triggering trick sometimes used on point and shoot cameras that have no built in sync port (or hotshoe), but have a built in flash capable of a manual mode.

So, put the 383 on camera in manual mode on the cameras hotshoe, connect your optical slave to the Skyport transmitter using the 383 cord and optical slave, and connect your Skyport receiver to the 430EX off camera using a hotshoe adapter.

This would get you an on camera flash, an off camera radio activated flash, and no additional gear.

But like Curtis indicates, forget the on camera's built in flash and any ETTL.

Enjoy! Lon

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you could also put the 430Ex, in manual mode, on the camera, and fire the 383 with the optical slave and Skyport combo. Just switch flashes.

Have Fun

Rob

[FlashZebra]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you could also put the 430Ex, in manual mode, on the camera, and fire the 383 with the optical slave and Skyport combo. Just switch flashes.

Have Fun

Rob
Sure you could set it up that way, and it would be simpler.

But, with the optical slave on the Skyport transmitter you might be able to position the optical slave in a much more advantageous position to be triggered by the on camera flash .

You could even tape the Skyport transmitter on the 383 and tape the optical slave in the light path of the 383. This would likely provide function even outside, where optical slaves are not typically very responsive.

So, there may be a significant upside in eliminating most of the distance between the activating flash and the optical slave.

Enjoy! Lon