HSS question (what is Stan using?)

[FullStop Photography]

Somewhere in this forum I came across this video (http://www.stansphotos.com/My%20Videos/Lighting_Tutorial.wmv) by Stan of stansphotos.com which explains the use of HSS during daylight location shooting to reduce the background exposure. I'm trying to figure out whether I can duplicate this without adding too much additional equipment. My plan is to shoot OCF (580 EXII in Ezybox) and am trying to figure out what Stan is using to trigger his softbox (at 3:05 it looks like a 430 EX II being used as a master, but I didn't think the 430 could be used in this manner; at 13:30 it looks like maybe he's using a 580?). The possibilities I see:

1) Get a flashzebra 24' cord (http://www.flashzebra.com/products/0125/index.shtml) for $54. Advantage: relatively cheap and robust. Disadvantage: not very tidy.

2) Get another 580 EX II as a trigger. Advantage: get another powerful flash. Disadvantage: high cost, especially if just using it in a flash-off master trigger mode.

3) Get the ST-E2. Advantage: wireless. Disadvantage: somewhat expensive.

Any suggestions? And can the 430 EX II be used as a master (flash-off) unit to trigger a 580? Thanks.

[alwaysonephotography]

430 EX II - Can't be a master. Google is your friend.

You understand it perfectly. The choice is yours.

My only thoughts. Skip the ST-E2. At least for me, 2 flashes is just too valuable but this so depends on your shooting style. The ST-E2 has some limitations for what you spend (namely that it isn't a flash).

Check out the 550 EX, if you go the route of another flash. Bigger, fatter, but powerful with a slower recycle time but can be found used pretty cheap.

[FullStop Photography]

Thanks for the reply! Not only did you give me a great recommendation (your reasoning is exactly what I was thinking), you also answered my question: the master unit displayed in the video at 3:05 is in fact the old 550EX, not the 430 (which has a different front profile), which explains its ability to function as the master unit. Now just got to find a decent price for a 550.

[canonnoob]

Nope the 430 can not be a master as ^^ said. I would also skip on the ST 42 and pick up some cybersyncs from alienbees or something along those lines. I love mine and they work great!

[FullStop Photography]

Nope the 430 can not be a master as ^^ said. I would also skip on the ST 42 and pick up some cybersyncs from alienbees or something along those lines. I love mine and they work great!

Thanks. I have a set of cybersyncs already (agree that they work great), but they don't support HSS, which is what I'm trying to achieve. Without radio poppers or a new set of pocket wizards, a 550/580/ST-E2 seems to be the only way to go wireless.

[canonnoob]

Thanks. I have a set of cybersyncs already (agree that they work great), but they don't support HSS, which is what I'm trying to achieve. Without radio poppers or a new set of pocket wizards, a 550/580/ST-E2 seems to be the only way to go wireless.

ah gotcha... could go 580. that seems to be the best route.. nice powerful flash.

[StanNJ1]

Fullcity-I have one 580EX, and two 580EXIIs in my bag. I'm pretty sure it was a 580EXII that I used as the master. I now have a Pocket Wizard Mini as a trigger which fires a 580EXII on a Flex unit. I'm still working out the bugs with this set-up but it's looking promising.

[FullStop Photography]

Fullcity-I have one 580EX, and two 580EXIIs in my bag. I'm pretty sure it was a 580EXII that I used as the master. I now have a Pocket Wizard Mini as a trigger which fires a 580EXII on a Flex unit. I'm still working out the bugs with this set-up but it's looking promising.

Thanks Stan! Appreciate the confirmation.