Canon Speedlite Transmitter

[dtufino]

Are these any good?

Looking for a remote transmitter for my 430EX and i'm picking up another 430EX (used) so i'll have Dual Flashes....

Does anyone have any imput?

[aram535]

EDIT: I take the whole comment back, I forgot that the transmitter allows all flashes to be off camera. I use the remote cable so that isn't a problem.

I don't have the transmitter, but the economy doesn't seem to justify it.

If you're picking up a second 430 ~ $250, the transmitter being $200 ... it would probably make sense to get a 580ex which is around $300-$350 and has the trasmitter built-in.

[dtufino]

EDIT: I take the whole comment back, I forgot that the transmitter allows all flashes to be off camera. I use the remote cable so that isn't a problem.

I don't have the transmitter, but the economy doesn't seem to justify it.

If you're picking up a second 430 ~ $250, the transmitter being $200 ... it would probably make sense to get a 580ex which is around $300-$350 and has the trasmitter built-in.

Wow, makes sense.... thanks.... but can i use the 580 off camera? or so i need a transmitter to trigger that one too?

i'm picking up a used 430EX for 150 Btw

[PacAce]

Wow, makes sense.... thanks.... but can i use the 580 off camera? or so i need a transmitter to trigger that one too?

i'm picking up a used 430EX for 150 Btw

The 580EX can be taken off camera without needing another transmitter if you use the off-shoe cord 2 or 3 to connect it to the flash. Otherwise, you'll need a master sitting on the camera to control the 580EX as well. But for many applications where the master provides the fill light and the off-camera flash provides the main light, it isn't necessary to have the fill light off camera unless you're going for a specific look or effect.

[jdpence]

Keep in mind that the ST-E2 transmitter requires line-of-sight to communicate with the flashes and reportedly can have problems working dependably in daylight outdoors. If you don't mind working with the flashes in manual, you could consider using a RF trigger such as the Cybersyncs which don't require line-of-sight and would be more dependable outdoors.

[dtufino]

Keep in mind that the ST-E2 transmitter requires line-of-sight to communicate with the flashes and reportedly can have problems working dependably in daylight outdoors. If you don't mind working with the flashes in manual, you could consider using a RF trigger such as the Cybersyncs which don't require line-of-sight and would be more dependable outdoors.

where can i purchase Cybersyncs transmitter are they cheap/Safe for my 40D?

[mattograph]

http://alienbees.com/

Also, note that you cannot use the ST-E2 in manual mode. I purchased mine, and ultimately wound up switching to skyports for this reason.

[PacAce]

http://alienbees.com/

Also, note that you cannot use the ST-E2 in manual mode. I purchased mine, and ultimately wound up switching to skyports for this reason.

The ST-E2 does not allow you to control the flash outputs in manual mode (neither does the SkyPort or any of the other RF remotes) but that does not mean that you cannot use the flashes in manual mode and have them triggered by the ST-E2 because you can. Just an FYI for future reference. :)

[jdpence]

Cybersyncs are made and sold by AlienBees at www.alienbees.com/cybersync. Depends on your definition of cheap, but they are less expensive than the ST-E2. Yes, they are safe to use with 40D.

[dtufino]

http://alienbees.com/

Also, note that you cannot use the ST-E2 in manual mode. I purchased mine, and ultimately wound up switching to skyports for this reason.

Okay, i'm not sure what it is that i need to purchase.....

site looks Bootleg... lol am i'm buying the transmitter and receiver or just transmitter?

[jdpence]

You'll need the transmitter and the receiver. The transmitter mounts on the hot shoe as shown on the website. The receiver connects to the flash unit with a cable. Not sure if the 430EX has a PC sync port like my 580EX II. If not, you'll need a pc to hot shoe adapter for the flash.

[Titus213]

www.alienbees.com is fine - they provide some of the best customer service you will find. I believe their site is the only place you can buy Cybersync radio units.

And please understand that when you go to a radio transmitter you lose automatic function of your 430EX - there is NO ETTL. The flash is in manual mode and you adjust the power manually. If you don't have a flash meter then you use trial and error.

[mattograph]

The ST-E2 does not allow you to control the flash outputs in manual mode (neither does the SkyPort or any of the other RF remotes) but that does not mean that you cannot use the flashes in manual mode and have them triggered by the ST-E2 because you can. Just an FYI for future reference. :)

Not to get too far off topic, but I am sitting here right now with my ST-E2 and a 580 EX II in slave mode. And the 580 WILL NOT switch to manual in slave......... am I missing something?

[PacAce]

Not to get too far off topic, but I am sitting here right now with my ST-E2 and a 580 EX II in slave mode. And the 580 WILL NOT switch to manual in slave......... am I missing something?
Yes. Press and hold the mode button until "ETTL" changes to a blinking "M".

[aram535]

I think we ended up confusing the OP...

The final/short/cheap solution is to use the 580EX with a cord as a master and set off your 480EX remotely. This will give you both manual and auto modes, as well as giving you ETTL.

Anything beyound that you will have to give up something for the distance/non-local flash use.

A typical example of a wedding shot. On a beach, you have the couple go out to a set of rock 30-40 feet away, but they're in shadow and you need a light source, you can't use a reflector (wide shot) you can't use a local flash, you need to be able to hide a flash near them and set it off. This requires one of the solutions from above (non-line-of-site solution).

I hope that clears up some of the confusion.

[PacAce]

I think we ended up confusing the OP...

The final/short/cheap solution is to use the 580EX with a cord as a master and set off your 480EX remotely. This will give you both manual and auto modes, as well as giving you ETTL.

Anything beyound that you will have to give up something for the distance/non-local flash use.

A typical example of a wedding shot. On a beach, you have the couple go out to a set of rock 30-40 feet away, but they're in shadow and you need a light source, you can't use a reflector (wide shot) you can't use a local flash, you need to be able to hide a flash near them and set it off. This requires one of the solutions from above (non-line-of-site solution).

I hope that clears up some of the confusion.

If you want something cheaper, the ST-E2 plus the 430EX would be cheaper than the 580EX II plus the OC-E3 cord and probably a little more versatile as far as off-camera flash placement is concerned. But, having said that, I would still opt for the 580EX II in lieu of the ST-E2 and the 430EX but that's just me and what I'd use the flashes for. :)

[aram535]

If you want something cheaper, the ST-E2 plus the 430EX would be cheaper than the 580EX II plus the OC-E3 cord and probably a little more versatile as far as off-camera flash placement is concerned. But, having said that, I would still opt for the 580EX II in lieu of the ST-E2 and the 430EX but that's just me and what I'd use the flashes for. :)

Always thought that would limit your max flash speed?

[PacAce]

Always thought that would limit your max flash speed?

What would?

[aram535]

Any sort of "transmitter" that would set off the 580 which in turn would set off the other flashes.

[PacAce]

Any sort of "transmitter" that would set off the 580 which in turn would set off the other flashes.

Yes, that's true except when the off-shoe cord 2 or 3 is used in which case full ETTL compatibility is retained.

[AmpedPhoto]

ok I am not sure how the Canon transmitter works within the 580 (to lazy to try it maybe later today) but when I set my SB-800 with my old D300 the light would only really work line of sigh and only inside. So I say the best bet now is to buy a set of radio poppers and not be limmited by line of sight and or worring about working outside

[apersson850]

The wireless control from a 580 EX II works by sending flash pulses with data just prior to the real exposure flash, if that's also used.

[TheHoff]

ok I am not sure how the Canon transmitter works within the 580 (to lazy to try it maybe later today) but when I set my SB-800 with my old D300 the light would only really work line of sigh and only inside. So I say the best bet now is to buy a set of radio poppers and not be limmited by line of sight and or worring about working outside

It is line of sight but I have pretty good luck outdoors within a range of 20 feet or so. Make sure to rotate the flash base to face the camera of course. I'm waiting for Radiopoppers v2 as I can't believe they have all the bugs worked out yet.

[mrklaw]

quick question if I may..

I have a 580EXII and a 430EX. reading all this strobist stuff, and checking the 'show us your studio' threads, they often (nearly always) show the main/fill at 90 degrees to each other (45 degrees either side of the subject). but another very helpful thread I read had the fill light on the camera (perhaps up high, but still on axis), and just the main off camera.

Can someone explain why the difference? Ideally keeping the 580EX on camera would be good for me, as then I can use it as fill and as a master, with the 430EX as main. Later on buying perhaps another cheap 430EX for hair/background.

[PacAce]

quick question if I may..

I have a 580EXII and a 430EX. reading all this strobist stuff, and checking the 'show us your studio' threads, they often (nearly always) show the main/fill at 90 degrees to each other (45 degrees either side of the subject). but another very helpful thread I read had the fill light on the camera (perhaps up high, but still on axis), and just the main off camera.

Can someone explain why the difference? Ideally keeping the 580EX on camera would be good for me, as then I can use it as fill and as a master, with the 430EX as main. Later on buying perhaps another cheap 430EX for hair/background.

If all you want to do with the fill light is to fill the shadow areas, then having the fill flash on the camera hot shoe or just above it would be ideal since the flash will only be filling the areas that the camera can see without really casting its own shadow.

If the fill light is off to the side, unless you are trying to be creative with the lighting, you may actually present yourself with a problem because the fill light itself is going to cast a shadow in the picture so you could end up with two sets of shadows. If that's what you want, then that's fine. If not, then that's one more thing you'll need to deal with.

[mrklaw]

want to keep it simple for now. So 580 on camera (hotshoe for now, bracket and off shoe cable later.) - 430EX as main.

will try with simple diffusers (stofen) for now, look at brollies/softboxes later on (very limited for space). What would you choose for a beginner first? Shoot through brolly, reflector brolly or softbox? bearing in mind I have very limited space

[PacAce]

want to keep it simple for now. So 580 on camera (hotshoe for now, bracket and off shoe cable later.) - 430EX as main.

will try with simple diffusers (stofen) for now, look at brollies/softboxes later on (very limited for space). What would you choose for a beginner first? Shoot through brolly, reflector brolly or softbox? bearing in mind I have very limited space

If space is limited, reflector bolly, like the Photek Softlighter (http://www.owens-originals.com/photec%20products/Photek%20Softlighter.html) might be a good choice. The Softlighter is very shallow, front to back, compared to a shoot-through brolly box or a softbox and It'll provide a more even lighting than a shoot-through brolly.

[TheHoff]

The Softlighters convert to a shoot-through if you want that, as well; I used it like that yesterday. It is the most flexible I've seen.

[mrklaw]

just been reading about them in here - sound good. can you get them in the UK? is the lastolite umbrella box effecitively the same thing?

[PacAce]

The Softlighters convert to a shoot-through if you want that, as well; I used it like that yesterday. It is the most flexible I've seen.

Good point. I forgot about that feature. :)