Options for getting flash off-camera

[babyem]

Noob here and trying to understand my options for getting my flash off the camera. I have a very limit budget but don't really want to spend money on a set-up that I will regret later. So I might be able to convince my husband to spend a little more money if the ideal set-up costs just a little more. I have a 40D and a 550EX flash.

I had the impression (and I could have been totally wrong) that I could get one flash and maybe use a sync cord (more than 5 ft) and some sort of adapter to fire the flash off-camera. Was I wrong? Do I need either a wireless transmitter or another flash on the camera to make a flash work off-camera?

Here are the other options that I have gathered from all the reading I've done, but I'm still confused.

1. I could get a Sunpak 383 and optical trigger. Use my 550ex on the camera to set off the sunpak. But, the sunpak 383's seem to be rare now. I see one on Ebay and it is bid up to $82.

2. I think the Vivitar 285HV was also mentioned. It seems I could get that cheaper than the Sunpak at this point. Would it work pretty much the same as the sunpak where I just need to get it and an optical slave?

3. Get another Canon flash - the 430EX. Would the 420EX work as well? And just use the built in wireless system

The Sunpak has some sort of auto function, right? Does this only work if you have the sensor pointed right at the subject? With either the sunpak or the vivitar would I have to do some experimenting and adjusting lights or would they for the most part kinda do it themselves? I know they aren't TTL, but I wasn't sure how much 'manual' stuff would have to be worked out with the auto function.

If I got another Canon, it would be pretty much automated, right?

I'd like to think that I can just mess with manual settings, but I'm afraid at this point it would just frustrate me too much. I'd like to get there, but I'd like to get there without being too frustrated at not being able to get some decent shots.

And one more thing - I was looking at these and thought I could use it to get my one flash off the camera (but I don't know if I'm wrong or not). Can the cord and off camera shoe adapter work to get my one speedlight off the camera? If not, is there any advantages to having these for future additional canon speedlights (if I go that route?)

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_p?url=me%3DAE78PB5T4N73S&field-keywords=canon+off+camera+shoe+adapter&x=4&y=21

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-300-Connecting-Cord/dp/B00004WCGA/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1228700948&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_p?url=search-alias%3Dphoto&field-keywords=canon+distributor+adapter&x=6&y=21

Thanks in advance for any insight in helping me figure out what I need to get next so that I can get this flash off my camera and into my umbrella.

[PacAce]

Noob here and trying to understand my options for getting my flash off the camera. I have a very limit budget but don't really want to spend money on a set-up that I will regret later. So I might be able to convince my husband to spend a little more money if the ideal set-up costs just a little more. I have a 40D and a 550EX flash.

I had the impression (and I could have been totally wrong) that I could get one flash and maybe use a sync cord (more than 5 ft) and some sort of adapter to fire the flash off-camera. Was I wrong? Do I need either a wireless transmitter or another flash on the camera to make a flash work off-camera?


Yes, you are correct. A PC sync cord and a hotshoe to PC adapter is all you would need.



Here are the other options that I have gathered from all the reading I've done, but I'm still confused.

1. I could get a Sunpak 383 and optical trigger. Use my 550ex on the camera to set off the sunpak. But, the sunpak 383's seem to be rare now. I see one on Ebay and it is bid up to $82.

2. I think the Vivitar 285HV was also mentioned. It seems I could get that cheaper than the Sunpak at this point. Would it work pretty much the same as the sunpak where I just need to get it and an optical slave?

3. Get another Canon flash - the 430EX. Would the 420EX work as well? And just use the built in wireless system

The Sunpak has some sort of auto function, right? Does this only work if you have the sensor pointed right at the subject? With either the sunpak or the vivitar would I have to do some experimenting and adjusting lights or would they for the most part kinda do it themselves? I know they aren't TTL, but I wasn't sure how much 'manual' stuff would have to be worked out with the auto function.

If I got another Canon, it would be pretty much automated, right?

I'd like to think that I can just mess with manual settings, but I'm afraid at this point it would just frustrate me too much. I'd like to get there, but I'd like to get there without being too frustrated at not being able to get some decent shots.

And one more thing - I was looking at these and thought I could use it to get my one flash off the camera (but I don't know if I'm wrong or not). Can the cord and off camera shoe adapter work to get my one speedlight off the camera? If not, is there any advantages to having these for future additional canon speedlights (if I go that route?)

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_p?url=me%3DAE78PB5T4N73S&field-keywords=canon+off+camera+shoe+adapter&x=4&y=21

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-300-Connecting-Cord/dp/B00004WCGA/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1228700948&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_p?url=search-alias%3Dphoto&field-keywords=canon+distributor+adapter&x=6&y=21

Thanks in advance for any insight in helping me figure out what I need to get next so that I can get this flash off my camera and into my umbrella.

#2. Yes, it would.

#3. Yes, the 420EX would work as a slave to the 550EX. However, you'll only be able to use the 420EX in ETTL mode. You won't be able to use it and the 550EX in manual mode in a wireless configuration like you can with the 430EX because the 420EX does not support manual mode.

Those connecters and adapters you linked to are for TTL use only. They won't work with ETTL flashes like your 550EX and the 40D.

[babyem]

Thanks so much for the info! That really helps a lot!

So if I were to go with a PC Sync Cord and hotshoe to PC adapter, then I can only use the flash in manual mode, right? And would these be appropriate cord and adapter?

http://www.amazon.com/ProMaster-NP11128-Hot-Shoe-Adapter/dp/B000AM2ZIS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1228704551&sr=1-3

http://www.amazon.com/ProMaster-NP11128-Hot-Shoe-Adapter/dp/B000AM2ZIS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1228704551&sr=1-3

Or would this cable be more appropriate:

http://www.amazon.com/Paramount-Straight-Sync-Cord-Female/dp/B00023JLIC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1228704790&sr=1-3

[PacAce]

Thanks so much for the info! That really helps a lot!

So if I were to go with a PC Sync Cord and hotshoe to PC adapter, then I can only use the flash in manual mode, right? And would these be appropriate cord and adapter?

http://www.amazon.com/ProMaster-NP11128-Hot-Shoe-Adapter/dp/B000AM2ZIS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1228704551&sr=1-3

http://www.amazon.com/ProMaster-NP11128-Hot-Shoe-Adapter/dp/B000AM2ZIS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1228704551&sr=1-3

Or would this cable be more appropriate:

http://www.amazon.com/Paramount-Straight-Sync-Cord-Female/dp/B00023JLIC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1228704790&sr=1-3
If I were you, I would get the PC sync cord and the hotshoe adapter from FlashZebra.com.

Hotshoe adapter:
http://flashzebra.com/hotshoes-shoes/0065.shtml

Long PC sync cable (select the length you need):
http://flashzebra.com/screwlock_pc/screwlock_to_screwlock.shtml

[lauderdalems]

Why do you want to use a hot shoe adapter. The 40D has a built in PC terminal

[PacAce]

Why do you want to use a hot shoe adapter. The 40D has a built in PC terminal

The hotshoe adapter is for the 550EX.

[babyem]

Thanks for the link to the flashzebra Leo! I think I'll go that way. I think I can handle experimenting with one flash in manual mode. 2 or more might make me go crazy at this point, though so I think I'll hold off on getting any more flashes until I'm comfortable with the one I have.

[PacAce]

Thanks for the link to the flashzebra Leo! I think I'll go that way. I think I can handle experimenting with one flash in manual mode. 2 or more might make me go crazy at this point, though so I think I'll hold off on getting any more flashes until I'm comfortable with the one I have.

Good idea about experimenting with one flash first. If you need fill lighting for the shadow areas, you can always use a reflector or a foam-core board to bounce lighting into those areas.

[babyem]

Good idea about experimenting with one flash first. If you need fill lighting for the shadow areas, you can always use a reflector or a foam-core board to bounce lighting into those areas.

Thanks! I plan to use a car shade to reflect. I've already used it in some natural light shots. I just need to get my husband to get creative and build me a stand for the car shade!

And I just submitted my order for the stuff from flashzebra. Can't wait to start experimenting!