Would you do on camera plus off camera flash?

[BuffettJr]

Hi all! I'm wondering how best to jump into the strobist method. I've been following it for over two years but just never gave it a go!

I currently have a 430EX flash. I'm going to get into the strobist method of off camera flash, so my options now are essentially I can get an $80 cable from Canon to hold it off camera, or I can get the the Canon ST-e2 radio transmitter, or I can get the new pocketwizards, or i can get the cheaper ebay radios. But I'm thinking about taking another option which is rather than paying so much for radio triggers to just get the 580EXii. The idea is to essentially use that as a radio transmitter. I realize it costs more than a transmitter, but I'm thinking I can have the 580 sit on board, turn the power way down, put the little catch light card up and use it for a very, very light fill and to put a twinkle in the eyes...while at the same time triggering my 430 as the slave, which I can have on a stand or even hold in my hand off camera left.

With this method, I can also have a nice 580ex for certain instances where i can only use one flash, and if I ever want to expand, I now have two nices flashes and could get radio triggers later.

Thoughts? So instead of having one off camera flash on radio, for just a litle more I could have one off camera flash and one nice little onboard fill/catch light plus still use TTL metering.

Any comments would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[40Dude6aedyk]

Yep, you can do anything you want. If you don't have the money for a Canon 580EXII, you can get Sigma EF530 DG Super and do the same stuff you described as well for half the cost.

[pgruiz123]

You can also try www.flashzebra.com A number of people swear by their cables which are longer than the canon cables.

[tim]

It depends where and what you're shooting. If you shoot outside in direct sunlight the Canon wireless system isn't reliable enough. If you shoot indoors or in shade it's fine. Just be aware outside you may have to point the 580EX master directly at the red receiver panel on the 430EX so it won't contribute to the exposure.

Personally I prefer radio slaves, for reliability. I don't need automatic/ETTL, as I have an assistant for weddings who can adjust power at my request. I use Skyports (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/505381-REG/Elinchrom_EL_19360_EL_Skyport_Universal_Radio_Slav e.html/BI/2312/KBID/3114), which have been reliable for me and are half the price of PWs.

[Redfire_Cobra]

It depends where and what you're shooting. If you shoot outside in direct sunlight the Canon wireless system isn't reliable enough. If you shoot indoors or in shade it's fine. Just be aware outside you may have to point the 580EX master directly at the red receiver panel on the 430EX so it won't contribute to the exposure.


+1
This should be the first thing you take into consideration, if you are shooting outside during the day you will be very limited by Canons IR system. Line of site gets pretty old quickly also.

[JCH77Yanks]

Hi all! I'm wondering how best to jump into the strobist method. I've been following it for over two years but just never gave it a go!

I currently have a 430EX flash. I'm going to get into the strobist method of off camera flash, so my options now are essentially I can get an $80 cable from Canon to hold it off camera, or I can get the the Canon ST-e2 radio transmitter, or I can get the new pocketwizards, or i can get the cheaper ebay radios. But I'm thinking about taking another option which is rather than paying so much for radio triggers to just get the 580EXii. The idea is to essentially use that as a radio transmitter. I realize it costs more than a transmitter, but I'm thinking I can have the 580 sit on board, turn the power way down, put the little catch light card up and use it for a very, very light fill and to put a twinkle in the eyes...while at the same time triggering my 430 as the slave, which I can have on a stand or even hold in my hand off camera left.

With this method, I can also have a nice 580ex for certain instances where i can only use one flash, and if I ever want to expand, I now have two nices flashes and could get radio triggers later.

Thoughts? So instead of having one off camera flash on radio, for just a litle more I could have one off camera flash and one nice little onboard fill/catch light plus still use TTL metering.

Any comments would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Sounds good to me! My first move was to get my 430EX off camera with my ETTL cord, then I bought a 580EXII so I can set up the 580 on a light stand via the ETTL cord and use it as a master for the 430, which gives me a two light setup when I need it. I've also used the 580 on camera for fill while using the 430 for my main - here's an example...http://www.flickr.com/photos/shogun613/3648297200/

It's all up to you. It's not cheap, but it works well indoors. I haven't tried it out in direct sunlight yet, but when I do, I'm gonna try to shade the slave sensors with some cardboard to see how that works out.

[apersson850]

I concour.
Outdoors, if the sun hits the slave's receiver window directly, it doesn't work at all.
Outdoors, in the evening, it works very well.

To comment on the first post, the ST-E2 and the 580 EX II don't use radio, but light, to send the commands to the slaves. That's why they don't work if sunlight hits the slave's recievers, as it easily overpowers the master's commands.

It's also not TTL metering any more, but E-TTL. Rather a big difference in how it works.

[BuffettJr]

Thanks for all the comments, folks. I'm wondering if should go ahead with the onboard 580 but then keep a flash zebra cable with me as well for instances where I'd want to shoot in the sun. It's disappointing that it apparently performs that poorly outdoors.

Any additional comments would always be welcome!