I have 1 580EX II, I need 2 more, but which models?

[vdhieu84]

So, I have 1 580EX II. I am trying to do some portrait and product shots. After reading and playing around with lights, I decided to go with 3 lights. So that means I need 2 more. Well, my main questions are:

- Assuming that the 580EX II is the master, I do not need the ST-E2 right?
- Which models of flashes should I get to be the slaves to go well with the 580EX II I have? See, I don't want to buy 2 more 580EX IIs, I'm thinking of something else more affordable, but dont want to regret later.

Thanks for helping out.

[-MasterChief-]

if you want to go the E-TTL route, the 430EX is your next best bet.

[vdhieu84]

Since 580EX II has E-TTL II, should I wait for the 430EX II? Anyone has any speculation about the price of 430EX II?

[PacAce]

Since 580EX II has E-TTL II, should I wait for the 430EX II? Anyone has any speculation about the price of 430EX II?

You can wait until the 430EX II comes out but there's no reason you can't use the 430EX, which is available now and is fully compatible with the 580EX II, if you want to. The 580EX II is ETTL II compatible but it's also ETTL compatible, too. It's not the flash that determines which is used. It's the camera that determines that. :)

[pcunite]

If your really serious about staying with ETTL and using Canon strobes you should just have all 580EX's for the power and ease of manual flash control (which you will get into later)

[PMatthes]

...another possibility if you don't mind setting the flash manually is going with 2 Vivitar285/Sunpak383/etc... with optical firing adapters to fire from the 580EXII's flash which you'll have on camera. I believe that it (the 580EXII) would have to be in Manual mode to correctly fire the slaves, though...

That route would probably be about $200 to add 2 flashes.

I just went that route, and the flashes and firing adapters are en route as I type...