Help with setting up my 430EX as an off camera flash

[LoL Ish]

Hello. I want to set up my 430EX as an off camera flash. I already have what stand, umbrella and hot shoe stand thingy in mind, but I need suggestions on what cord I would need to trigger the flash.

This is for my 430EX and being used with my Canon 30D.

Thanks.

[Packhorse-4]

I picked up a PC chord from Flash Zebra and I am very pleased with it. They have several options to choose from (depending on your equipment) and a quick e-mail reply time for your questions.

Here's the link: http://www.flashzebra.com/

[LoL Ish]

Thanks for the response. So what input would my 430EX have? I havn't spotted one on the flash itself, unless I need to get a hot shoe cord.

[msowsun]

A 15 foot PC cord costs $15. Because the 430EX doesn't have a PC port, you will also need a $14 adapter for the flash.


http://www.flashzebra.com/screwlock_pc_fivemeter/0034.shtml .......... http://www.flashzebra.com/products/0115/index.shtml
http://www.flashzebra.com/pics/0034_390.jpghttp://www.flashzebra.com/products/0115/0115_390.jpg

So now you are up to $29.00 but you can only shoot in manual mode.

For $48.50 you can get a 15 foot ETTL cord which will make your life much simpler. :D http://www.flashzebra.com/pics/0034_390.jpg
http://www.flashzebra.com/products/0123/0123.jpg

[leahmt47]

I second the ETTL cord.... this way you can shoot TTL or manual.

[Familiaphoto]

Go with the ETTL cord, you'll appreciate the flexibility.

[Salma]

I just want to say thanks for creating this thread. :D

[LoL Ish]

I just want to say thanks for creating this thread. :D

Err... you're welcome?

Thanks everybody for the response. I'll probably get the ETTL cord, seems to be the best way to go.

Question though, the hotshoe that the flash sits in, does it have a hotshoe like bottom so it will fit into this?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images345x345/298709.jpg

[MT Stringer]

Your flash fits in the hot shoe that is on one end of the ETL cord. That end is what is mounted on your umbrella holder in place of the aluminum one you see in the picture.

Hope this helps
Mike

[msowsun]

The ETTL cord has one end that has a "hotshoe" for the flash, and at the bottom it has a 1/4" threaded hole. The bottom part also has a flange so that it will slide into another hotshoe as well.

So there are two ways it can be mounted to a stand like the one you show. It can slide into the metal "coldshoe" like in the photo, or the coldshoe can be removed and a 1/4" threaded stud can be used to mount the flash end of the ETTL cord into the stand.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/msowsun/photo%20stuff/Newer/ettl2-1.jpg

http://media.uxcell.com/uxcell/images/item/catalog/ux_a08061300ux0163_ux_c.jpg

[FredV]

aside from being wireless.
Is there a reason why I should get Cactus V4's as appose to a long ettl cord?

[HybridUK]

The cactus range can't transmit ettl data as far as i know.

[apersson850]

In order to help reving up the slow economy, you could also spend USD 370 on a 580 EX II, which will work as a master unit in Canon's wireless multiple flash system.
Maintains virtually every function these flashes have, but spread out on many of them.

[msowsun]

If you buy a 580EX II you will have wireless, but it is not very reliable in the bright sun outdoors. Keep the ETTL cord for outdoors.

As with everything there are always compromises to be had. If you want to retain ETTL, the ETTL cord is the most reliable in all situations. The newer ETTL wireless triggers seem to have some problems as well. And they are not cheap at all.

[apersson850]

No, that's true. If the sun is able to reach the slave directly, it will never work.
If you can put the slave in the shadow, and you have direct line of sight from the master, it will work most of the time. At least with a real flash (580 EX II) as a master, compared to an IR only flash controller (ST-E2).

[LoL Ish]

Thanks msowsun for the help. Thanks everybody again. Very helpful people around these parts. ;)