OCF on a budget....need advice.

[SPORTshot]

Hello everyone, I'm going to attempt to get my feet wet with OCF and I would like to get some input on what flash/flash's would be the best bang for my buck. I have already decided on getting the Cactus V4 radio system and that leaves me with $200 left in my budget. I think I can get the Sigma DG Super for around $200 but this is where your expertise can help.......should I just get 1 decent flash, or should spend less and try and get 2 flash's ?

[canonnoob]

why not like a used 430 ex... ? then get a light stand or something..?

[Jark89]

I think you should take a look at second hand Nikon SB-28s - small, light, powerful, full manual control, built-in PC port.

[bobbyz]

James,

buy used manual flash like 285HV, canon 540ez. You can buy them for < $100. I would buy used 550ex, 540ez before buying 430ex. 480ex can't take external packs. Above poster mentioned nikon.

Get a long sync cord and then you set. You may need other things like hot shoe adapter, umbrella adapter, lightstand and so on. Check threads in this forum, there is lot of info out there.

[Menelaus]

Don't get the Cactus when you can get the CTR-301p for under $30 shipped!

[gonzogolf]

285HV's Best bang for the buck in manual flash. Very durable and plenty of power. You dont need anything more complicated for use with the cactus triggers.

[SPORTshot]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I did some more research and here is what I was thinking.......I was thinking about getting 1 Vivitar 285HV and 1 LumoPro LP 120, that would put me in the $220 range but I can live with that. Does anyone know anything about the LumoPro ?

[vadim_c]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I did some more research and here is what I was thinking.......I was thinking about getting 1 Vivitar 285HV and 1 LumoPro LP 120, that would put me in the $220 range but I can live with that. Does anyone know anything about the LumoPro ?

Why wouldn't you get one Vivitar first ? This is a good flash and in case you find yourself not using it just sell it with a small loss. You will have time to play with it and only buy the second flash when you feel you really need it.
I know too many people that bought a number of flashes and do not use them at all.

[tenoverthenose]

^^^ Good advice. I have about four flashes and I can accomplish 90% of what I do with just one. In fact, I do my best to only use one for times sake.

[SPORTshot]

Why wouldn't you get one Vivitar first ? This is a good flash and in case you find yourself not using it just sell it with a small loss. You will have time to play with it and only buy the second flash when you feel you really need it.
I know too many people that bought a number of flashes and do not use them at all.


Does the Vivitar rotate ? I'm looking to be able to experiment with on camera bounce flash as well, for sports......sorry, I should have stated that earlier.

[SPORTshot]

^^^ Good advice. I have about four flashes and I can accomplish 90% of what I do with just one. In fact, I do my best to only use one for times sake.


This is good to know and helps me take a step back and realize that I need to take it slow and learn what I'm doing with one light before trying to engage in multiple lighting. So now I'm thinking one flash only, and maybe add a softbox into the mix.

[gonzogolf]

Does the Vivitar rotate ? I'm looking to be able to experiment with on camera bounce flash as well, for sports......sorry, I should have stated that earlier.


On camera is a different kettle of fish. Go with a canon speedlight like the 430ex because it uses the ettl exposure system. The vivitars are auto thyristers meaning they dont communicate with the camera other than sync.

[The Moose]

Don't get the Cactus when you can get the CTR-301p for under $30 shipped!

This is what I did and they haven't disappointed me. I bought YN460's as well, saved some money there and they're great for me too!

[cbelanger]

I'm doing the budget OCF thing as well and deicded on an Opteka flash. Here's what I wote about in another thread about the setup I put together:
Flash:
Opteka 600 EF-600 DG Super EO-TTL-II. It cost $110 with shipping, does ETTL-II, has GN of 45/148, zooming motor, AF-assist light, built in diffuser and bounce card, tilts up (not down at all), rotates left 180 and right 90. It can be adjusted manually to 1/16th and has an optical slave mode as well.
There's no on-flash custom functions (off-camera flash settings in the camera do work), stroboscopic feature, or wireless ettl ability, of course. Also no PC sync port.

The build quality appears good and I've not had any trouble with it so far. It's plenty bright for what I've done so far, certainly enough to learn and play. For this price, I was expecting to get an all manual flash like the vivtar 285 so the ETTL ability is a nice bonus and one I expect I'll use.

EDIT: I should add to this that it has an auto shut-off "feature" that can be annoying when you have to go back to the flash and wake it up after about 3 minutes or so. I very much wish that could be turned off and will look for that abilty (or ability to adjust auto-off to a longer time) in future flashes.

[bobbyz]

Does the Vivitar rotate ? I'm looking to be able to experiment with on camera bounce flash as well, for sports......sorry, I should have stated that earlier.

Which sports?

[SPORTshot]

Which sports?


basketball and wrestling

[SPORTshot]

I'm doing the budget OCF thing as well and deicded on an Opteka flash. Here's what I wote about in another thread about the setup I put together:
Flash:
Opteka 600 EF-600 DG Super EO-TTL-II. It cost $110 with shipping, does ETTL-II, has GN of 45/148, zooming motor, AF-assist light, built in diffuser and bounce card, tilts up (not down at all), rotates left 180 and right 90. It can be adjusted manually to 1/16th and has an optical slave mode as well.
There's no on-flash custom functions (off-camera flash settings in the camera do work), stroboscopic feature, or wireless ettl ability, of course. Also no PC sync port.

The build quality appears good and I've not had any trouble with it so far. It's plenty bright for what I've done so far, certainly enough to learn and play. For this price, I was expecting to get an all manual flash like the vivtar 285 so the ETTL ability is a nice bonus and one I expect I'll use.

EDIT: I should add to this that it has an auto shut-off "feature" that can be annoying when you have to go back to the flash and wake it up after about 3 minutes or so. I very much wish that could be turned off and will look for that abilty (or ability to adjust auto-off to a longer time) in future flashes.


Thank you cbelanger, I didn't even know this flash existed. There are so many choices, lol.....I guess that's a good thing. I did a search on this flash and someone posted that it wouldn't communicate with their 50D, has anyone else had this problem ? What body do you have cbelanger ?

It definately appears that this flash gives you the most features for the price. I might give this one a try.

[dengar]

I'm doing the budget OCF thing as well and deicded on an Opteka flash. Here's what I wote about in another thread about the setup I put together:
Flash:
Opteka 600 EF-600 DG Super EO-TTL-II. It cost $110 with shipping, does ETTL-II, has GN of 45/148, zooming motor, AF-assist light, built in diffuser and bounce card, tilts up (not down at all), rotates left 180 and right 90. It can be adjusted manually to 1/16th and has an optical slave mode as well.
There's no on-flash custom functions (off-camera flash settings in the camera do work), stroboscopic feature, or wireless ettl ability, of course. Also no PC sync port.

The build quality appears good and I've not had any trouble with it so far. It's plenty bright for what I've done so far, certainly enough to learn and play. For this price, I was expecting to get an all manual flash like the vivtar 285 so the ETTL ability is a nice bonus and one I expect I'll use.

EDIT: I should add to this that it has an auto shut-off "feature" that can be annoying when you have to go back to the flash and wake it up after about 3 minutes or so. I very much wish that could be turned off and will look for that abilty (or ability to adjust auto-off to a longer time) in future flashes.

Let me know how this works as a OCF please. I have one and I have a CTR-301p on order and Im dying to try it.

[cbelanger]

Sportshot - I have an xs body. As far as communication, I can use the on-camera menu for external flash to control the Opteka flash, but the custom functions that can used on the canon flashes are not accessible. Ettl appears to work fine. What was the communication issue with the 50d?

dengar - I have played a little with OCF and the opteka using pt-04is triggers. Obviously, it's all manual control, but it works just fine. It has the optical trigger, too if you have more flashes than receivers. As I mentioned, the only frustration is the auto-off power saving. I have to make sure the flash is back on if I haven't fired it for a few minutes.

[SPORTshot]

Sportshot - I have an xs body. As far as communication, I can use the on-camera menu for external flash to control the Opteka flash, but the custom functions that can used on the canon flashes are not accessible. Ettl appears to work fine. What was the communication issue with the 50d?

dengar - I have played a little with OCF and the opteka using pt-04is triggers. Obviously, it's all manual control, but it works just fine. It has the optical trigger, too if you have more flashes than receivers. As I mentioned, the only frustration is the auto-off power saving. I have to make sure the flash is back on if I haven't fired it for a few minutes.


I'm not sure what the communication problem was with the 50D, the person didn't say (or didn't know ). The problem I'm running into is that neither the Cactus V4's or the CT 301P's have this flash listed as a communicable flash.

I found a flash "kit" on gadget infinity that I'm seriously thinking about getting. It comes with 1 cactus v4 trigger, 2 recievers, 2 Cactus flash's......these Flashes appear to be rebadged Vivitar 285VH's and some other things that are worthless junk, but it seems to be a pretty good deal. Here's the link if anyone wants to check it out or offer advice.
http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=17206&cat=256&page=1

[cbelanger]

For compatibility on the opteka flash, you may want to check out this post:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=7726913&postcount=14

it lists a group of identical flashes marketed under different brands. They are:
Opteka EF-600 DG
Sakar 952AF/CAN
Vivitar DF400MZ
Soligor DG-420 Z

BOWER SFD926C

The vivitar appears to listed as compatible with the cactus v.4. (but check my math ;)) The PT-04 IS triggers I use work perfectly with my opteka - they are also described as compatiblewith the identical vivitar DF400MZ

[SPORTshot]

For compatibility on the opteka flash, you may want to check out this post:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=7726913&postcount=14

it lists a group of identical flashes marketed under different brands. They are:
Opteka EF-600 DG
Sakar 952AF/CAN
Vivitar DF400MZ
Soligor DG-420 Z

BOWER SFD926C

The vivitar appears to listed as compatible with the cactus v.4. (but check my math ;)) The PT-04 IS triggers I use work perfectly with my opteka - they are also described as compatiblewith the identical vivitar DF400MZ


Ok thanks, I'm gonna go buy one of the Opteka's from Amazon......47th street photo has them for $99.95

[bobbyz]

Does this Opteka have a way to dsiable auto power off?

For $100 I would buy used 540ex if I wasn't doing eTTL. Works like a charm for manual flash.

[cbelanger]

Does this Opteka have a way to dsiable auto power off?

For $100 I would buy used 540ex if I wasn't doing eTTL. Works like a charm for manual flash.

No way to disable auto-off that I have found - wish there was

[SPORTshot]

update.........just received the Opteka flash and the Cactus V4's today. Everything works great ! No misfires at all, so if anyone else is looking for a inexpensive way to test the OCF waters you might want to consider this as one option.

Hey cbelanger, if you read the flash manual there is one way that the "auto-off" will disable itself.......I can't remember off hand but check out the manual.

[cbelanger]

update.........just received the Opteka flash and the Cactus V4's today. Everything works great ! No misfires at all, so if anyone else is looking for a inexpensive way to test the OCF waters you might want to consider this as one option.

Hey cbelanger, if you read the flash manual there is one way that the "auto-off" will disable itself.......I can't remember off hand but check out the manual.

As best I see, the auto-off is disabled only when in slave mode and then it is only triggered optically, not with the wireless remote triggers. Did you find another way to disable it?