Flashzebra Hotshoe Adapters?

[chewbakarox]

Hey everyone. I've read the stickies and now have a basic understanding of what I think I need. I have a simple goal: shoot with my Rebel XSi and use my 430EX II as an off-camera flash. I don't need to retain the use of E-TTL. Can any of you confirm that I have the correct list of items to buy from Flashzebra?

1. PC to Flash Hotshoe Adapter (LINK (http://www.flashzebra.com/hotshoes-shoes/0065.shtml))
2. Multipurpose Hotshoe Adapter (to use as the camera to PC adapter, since I don't think the XSi has a PC connector) (LINK (http://www.flashzebra.com/hotshoes-shoes/0064.shtml))
3. 5 Meter Straight Flash Sync Cord, Male to Male (LINK (http://www.flashzebra.com/fivemetersync/0032.shtml))

Your input would be appreciated.....Thanks!

[bryank930]

Check this out.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=123662

It'll let you retain E-TTL while shooting off camera. I did this to mine and it works just fine at distances up to 50 feet.

[Curtis N]

The combination of parts you have listed will work.

I would recommend a longer PC cord than the 16 foot version you have selected. A 30 ft. cord will not always be needed but at times it will come in handy.

[chewbakarox]

Check this out.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=123662

It'll let you retain E-TTL while shooting off camera. I did this to mine and it works just fine at distances up to 50 feet.

Thanks for the link - I've heard about extending the Canon hotshoe cord. But doesn't E-TTL become useless (or diminished) when the flash is off-camera, since E-TTL meters through the lens?

[chewbakarox]

The combination of parts you have listed will work.

I would recommend a longer PC cord than the 16 foot version you have selected. A 30 ft. cord will not always be needed but at times it will come in handy.

Curtis - Makes sense. For the extra $4 it's probably worth it....Thanks.

[Titus213]

Thanks for the link - I've heard about extending the Canon hotshoe cord. But doesn't E-TTL become useless (or diminished) when the flash is off-camera, since E-TTL meters through the lens?

Actually just the opposite. Since the camera is determining the light requirements with the flash it works well off camera. You want the light to be right at the camera, not the flash.

This is in no way a recommendation to extend the ETTL cord. Manual flash just isn't that tough IMO. And if you are within 16-20 feet your Canon wireless system would tend to work fine with no cables. You just need a 'master'.

One more suggestion - if you can get that stuff in screw-lock PC cords you will be better off.

[chewbakarox]

Actually just the opposite. Since the camera is determining the light requirements with the flash it works well off camera. You want the light to be right at the camera, not the flash.

This is in no way a recommendation to extend the ETTL cord. Manual flash just isn't that tough IMO. And if you are within 16-20 feet your Canon wireless system would tend to work fine with no cables. You just need a 'master'.

One more suggestion - if you can get that stuff in screw-lock PC cords you will be better off.

Titus - Thanks for clarifying. I think I'll stay away from the E-TTL cord. The PC cords are cheaper, plus I think I'll be able to learn how lighting works better if I stick with manual lighting.

One question regarding the screw-lock cords: In order to use the screw-lock cables, do I also need to buy special hotshoes that can accommodate the screw locks? Or do all hotshoes work with the screw locks?

Thanks!

[m3rdpwr]

The combination of parts you have listed will work.

I would recommend a longer PC cord than the 16 foot version you have selected. A 30 ft. cord will not always be needed but at times it will come in handy.

I would agree with this.

If you think about the height of the flash to the floor and the camera to the floor assuming the cord was long enough to drap across the floor it would give you very little distance to work with.

You wouldn't want a tight cord strung across the room... :)

-Mario

[agedbriar]

One question regarding the screw-lock cords: In order to use the screw-lock cables, do I also need to buy special hotshoes that can accommodate the screw locks? Or do all hotshoes work with the screw locks?


#0065 PC to Flash Hotshoe Adapter has no thread for the screw-lock to lock in, but it will accept the male screw-lock connector as well as the standard male PC. Either one will be held in place by friction. At the flash end, that's no real problem, though.

With the 430EXII, mounted on the #0065 adapter, there is a point in having the screw-lock connector at camera end only. That would be the #0036 cord.

For a 580EXII, with its own lockable PC port, a double screw-lock cord like #0034 would be even nicer. On second thought, with the 580, if I happened to trip over the cord, I would rather see the connector to be pulled out then tip the stand over. ;)

Edit: I just had a better look at my 580EXII and the collar on its female PC port is not threaded at all.

[chewbakarox]

Thanks for the tips everyone.....I just ordered the two hotshoe adapters, along with the 30-foot screw-lock PC cord. Can't wait to start fooling around with the 430ex off the camera!!!