Trigger System

[ben Talib]

Hi guys,

I am learning alot here

I would like to ask you if I can control my two flashes (430 & 580) both wirelessly, I mean both away from the camera.

I think this is done using trigger systems & I would like to know which one of these system is the best.

thanks

:rolleyes:

[ben Talib]

No answer :(

[zaldum]

If you want to be able to control them from the camera with no flash mounted on it, only the new PW´s will do that.

Radiopopers will also do it but you will need a 580ex on camera.

Skyports, cybersyncs or old PW´s will trigger them but no remote control.

Hope it helps

[pellepiano]

As a low budget alternative, the very cheap Cactus V4 will trigger them both and cost about $50 for a Radio trigger ( put on hotshoe ) and 2 recievers ( put on flash ).

[Familiaphoto]

You have a lot of options, depending on what you want to accomplish.

1. You could use your 580 as a master and trigger the 430 off camera with it. Very simple, great way to learn off camera flash and will also maintain ETTL.

2. Get a Canon ST-E2 which will allow you to take both flashes off camera while maintaining ETTL.

3. Get a ETTL based radio trigger like the Pocket Wizards or Radio Poppers. These are expensive and have different range and performance, I think these run around 200 to 250 each.

4. Get a traditional radio triggers like the PW Plus IIs, Cybersyncs, etc.

The the above in mind the first question you have to ask is if you want ETTL off camera or not. If you do then I would start with the ST-E2 as triggers that support ETTL sometimes require it or a master anyway. If you will be working in manual then I would recommend the Cybersyncs. They are very reliable and very affordable. That is the route I went.

Good luck.

[vincent_su]

Welcome Ben.
It will help if you let us know what camera you're using to trigger the flashes. For most bodies, there is a flash sync port, which you can buy a PC sync cable to connect from your camera to the 580 and then use 580 as master to trigger 430. You may need to buy a hotshoe adapter for the 580 to work with sync cable but it'll still be the cheapest way.
There are different length for the cables available but the cable makes it more cumbersome and have more chances to get in the way while trying to adjust the power.
The next option is complete wireless system like Familiaphoto mentioned. From ST-E2 (infared) to radio triggers. Although I've never used ST-E2, I've read some reports about the inconvenience using infrared system. Do a thread search in this forum and I'm sure you'll find some references.
Have fun.

[Titus213]

Wireless with control capability can only be accomplished a few ways.
1 - Use a Canon flash on the camera capable of being a master in a master/slave setup.
2 - use an ST-E2 Canon unit to control the flash
3 - Use the new Pocket Wizard units.

I purposely left out the Radio Popper solution because I believe it still requires a Canon master unit of some sort on the camera.

Of course you could buy a long ETTL cord from www.flashzebra.com to get your master off camera and use the master to fire your other flash.

[Familiaphoto]

Wireless with control capability can only be accomplished a few ways.
1 - Use a Canon flash on the camera capable of being a master in a master/slave setup.
2 - use an ST-E2 Canon unit to control the flash
3 - Use the new Pocket Wizard units.

I purposely left out the Radio Popper solution because I believe it still requires a Canon master unit of some sort on the camera.

Of course you could buy a long ETTL cord from www.flashzebra.com (http://www.flashzebra.com) to get your master off camera and use the master to fire your other flash.

Great points. But we also need to remember that if you want to do ratio lighting with the new Pocket Wizards you still need a master or ST-E2.

[tim]

Great points. But we also need to remember that if you want to do ratio lighting with the new Pocket Wizards you still need a master or ST-E2.

Really?

[Jon Foster]

Don't forget the CTR-301p's.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Wireless-Flash-Trigger-set-CTR-301-P-CTR-301P-w-PC-Sync_W0QQitemZ250405464870QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamer a_Flash_Accessories?hash=item3a4d542b26&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262&_trkparms=|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A30

Jon.

[Titus213]

Great points. But we also need to remember that if you want to do ratio lighting with the new Pocket Wizards you still need a master or ST-E2.

Really? I thought the master was not necessary with them. If they are transmitting ETTL info what part can't they handle and why?

BTW - I use Cybersyncs and shoot manual.

[Titus213]

Don't forget the CTR-301p's.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Wireless-Flash-Trigger-set-CTR-301-P-CTR-301P-w-PC-Sync_W0QQitemZ250405464870QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamer a_Flash_Accessories?hash=item3a4d542b26&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262&_trkparms=|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A30 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Wireless-Flash-Trigger-set-CTR-301-P-CTR-301P-w-PC-Sync_W0QQitemZ250405464870QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamer a_Flash_Accessories?hash=item3a4d542b26&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262&_trkparms=%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A30)

Jon.

The problem is that they don't do ETTL.

That's got to be the longest link I've ever seen.....:lol:

[alwaysonephotography]

Really? I thought the master was not necessary with them. If they are transmitting ETTL info what part can't they handle and why?

BTW - I use Cybersyncs and shoot manual.

The ratio part. The canon wireless system allows you to put flashes into groups A and B and then have the flashes expose the image using ETTL with each flash firing at a different ratio. The ratio can be selected as 8:1 though 1:8. This is the ratio of A:B. Each group can have a single flash or multiple flashes in the group. The canon system also allows for a third group "C" but this group will only allow you to dial up and down the power that it fires at. There is no ratio in the traditional sense. It's intention is to be a back/rim light or a BG spotlight. I believe in this group you can also have multiple flashes as well.

The current PW system gives you ETTL and HSS (plus some more goodies) but not the ability to do ratios without mounting an ST-E2 on top of the PW transmitter. However, they just announced a control unit (essentially a PW ST-E2) that they claim will be available in July that will alow you to do ratios. I haven't seen pricing on it yet. And be advised that you need to throughly research the new PWs, they are having very mixed results right now.

The radio poppers will do all this but require that you have some sort of master on the camera (be it a speedlite or ST-E2).

[Titus213]

Well, the things they don't tell you.....I'd never heard that before. That's one of the features of ETTL that I kind of like.

[ben Talib]

Thank you all, that is really helpfull

[Koopy]

I'll confirm what "alwaysonephotography" stated. I have PW Flex's and use both TTL and Manual depending on the situation. I place a 580EX II on a Flex on camera and therefore can control all three groups A, B, C (I believe you're limited to A & B with an ST-E2). You only have full ratio control in TTL or power settings control in manual with a 580EX II or ST-E2 on camera.

The new PW ZoneController announcement and picture can be found here: http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-10040-10085

Not only can you control 3 groups with the choice of TTL or manual, you can combine them so one is TTL and the other two are manual, or vice versa. Lastly, and this is great, you can turn off the individual groups, so if you don't like a light in the shot after you've moved or re-composed, you can turn it off on camera rather than having to walk over to it.

[Jon Foster]

The problem is that they don't do ETTL.

That's got to be the longest link I've ever seen.....:lol:

True, but if you are ok with shooting manual shots they are well worth the ultra low price. And I'm told that you can use older flash units with higher trigger voltages on these things too. For me that's a great feature because I still have my old film gear sitting around that I would love to use again.

Edit: I just received a message from the dealer saying the receivers won't work with the older higher voltage units. Period. Darn, it was too good to be true...

Ya like that link eh? ;)

Jon.

[Familiaphoto]

Really?

Really? I thought the master was not necessary with them. If they are transmitting ETTL info what part can't they handle and why?

BTW - I use Cybersyncs and shoot manual.

Yeah, it is sad but true and the reason why I would not buy the PW at the moment.