Wireless trigger help

[dnichols01]

I need some help in knowing which wireless trigger to buy. I have the Canon 430EX and am wanting to go off camera. I have tried to read up on other post and have seen some good responses to some of the wireless triggers on ebay (RF-602 and CTR-301P. I am very new to this and just not sure which would work best. I also see where some are just receiver and then some are receivers, transmitter and pc sync cord. I just not sure what I will need and would like to go a head and get what I need instead fo having to go back and order something else.
I am wanting at this time to just use it on a light stand with an umbrella to try some portraits of babies and small children.
thanks in advance for the help and sorry I know so little. It seems somedays that the more I read and try to learn the more confused I get.

[Titus213]

I have a very low tolerance for equipment that doesn't do what it's designed to do so I skipped the eBay triggers. I use Cybersyncs, a reasonably priced, dependable radio trigger system. You need a CST transmitter and a CSRB receiver for each flash you want to fire. You also need a hot shoe for your 430EX to connect it to the receiver. You will be shooting your 430EX in manual mode.

Cybersyncs are only available at www.alienbees.com
The hot shoe adapter is available at www.flashzebra.com

[gonzogolf]

First, with the 430ex you need to order a trigger that has a hotshoe mount. The 430ex doesn't have a synch port and can only be fired via the hotshoe. You can get an adapter from flashzebra.com that allows you to sync via pc or mini plug connection. You are going to need a complete set of triggers, meaning you'll need a trigger, and a receiver along. I dont know your budget, I tried the cheap triggers and did not get a good reaction from my 430ex, intermittent firing etc, although they worked fine with my 580exII. I went with the cybersyncs from the folks who make alien bee, much better range and flawless performance, but you would need the hotshoe adapter.

[psxguru]

I'm in a similar position to you. I decided to go for the RF-602 (ordered from Dealextreme), got them today and have had a quick play with them.

They work fine with my 40D and 430EX, being able to use them as a cabled/wireless camera remote is a bonus. In my testing so far there have been no misfires and impressive range. Can't fault them for the price!

[dnichols01]

Ok I am still trying to work this all out. I know I will need a hot shoe and was wondering if someone has a thought if there is a better one or are they all just about the same? Also I looked at this Wireless Hot Shoe Flash Trigger Set for Nikon Canon ...or this one Hot Shoe Flash Light control Remote Trigger CTR-301. Will this work for me or would I need something else?

[gonzogolf]

The budget triggers from hong kong work, but they will have occasional failures, apparently some more than others. I found mine to be too problematic so I went with cybersync's for their reliability and performance. I guess the question you have to answer for yourself is are you prepared to miss the occasional shot? Are you okay with working within the range of the hong kong triggers? I'm certain what you get will work on some level, it just depends on your tolerance for the occasional glitch and sometimes quirky behavior. If you are doing paid work, I would certainly say just spend a little more and get reliable triggers.

[dnichols01]

I am just starting to play with all of this. At this time I have just been doing pics of family and friends children. I hope to someday do more with it but just do not have the time or money at this point to put much more into it. So for I have just used my 430EX on camera and want to just play a little more. I was going to just get cont. lights but it seems that every one feels that since I have the flash already to just start simple with it a stand and a umbrella. I just know so little and the more I seem to read the more confussed I get. With one of these do I still need to order a hot shoe pc syn or will one of these work or do I get the hot shoe pc syn and a wireless system?

[sk8ape]

Radio popper just released the a very affordable and reliable piece of technology for triggering off camera strobes.
You'll also need a hot shoe mount adapter for your flash, since they canon doesn't make their flashes with 1/8 inputs.
But radio poppers is supposed to release a hot shoe mount, that allows you to control the intensity of your flashes from the remote trigger you place on your camera.
Worth checking out.
http://radiopopper.com/

[gonzogolf]

If you get the cheap triggers like the cactus v4's, they already have a hotshoe mount so you dont have to purchase that separately. The cactus v2's and the ctr triggers also have that although the v'2's were a total bust with my 430ex.

[dnichols01]

Where is the best place to look to buy the Cactus v4's and do you know someone or have you used them with the 430ex?
And last but not least if I buy them is that all I would need to get started in using my 430ex off camera?

[gonzogolf]

I think they are only available from their maker, Gadget Infinity.

http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=17204&cat=274&page=1

I think the kit that I linked to is all you need. Other than a stand, umbrella, and swivel bracket.