beginner wireless strobe/flash for 7D

i keep seeing so many nice images using strobes and flashes that i am interested in giving it a try. i know my 7D can wirelessly trigger flashes, i think it can at least. i dont understand all the terminology for strobes and flashes since my lighting background is with video and and film so im new to this.

what would be a good speedlight or strobe to start with that i dont have to buy lots of extra cables/wireless triggers to do some single light setups.

my budget is very low as i just want to try this out and dont want to invest tooo much since i plan on buying a 85 1.8 soon. thanks guys

any advice is appreciated as i dont know where to start

If youwant to trigger with your built in system you'll want to look at a 430EXII or even a used 430EX (which is the older version).

I can highly recommend the Speedlighter's Handbook which is dedicated to the Canon flash system and also covers the 7D. A very useful book.

The Canon 430EX II is a very nice strobe that is not too expensive. I've been using two of these with the wireless control on my 60D (basically the same as the 7D), and it works great! You don't need any cables or radio controllers, etc, as the 7D can do that for you. You might want to get an attachable softbox like the Lumiquest Softbox III or a Cheetah Qbox (see thread on POTN). Incidentally, the Canon 320EX will also work fine and is cheaper than the 430EX, but it does lack some features.

if i get more shoots ill be able to buy a 430EXII. if not i guess i might have to save up. i didnt want to spend a lot since i wanted to try it out but obviously a 430 would still come in handy and i like that my 7D can trigger it wireless even though i dont understand how it all works lol.


thanks for the suggestions

You can use older used units like the 420EX and 430EX if you are looking to save money.

tkbslc wrote in post #12918318
You can use older used units like the 420EX and 430EX if you are looking to save money.

but do i need extra equipment to trigger them off camera?

im guessing E-TTL is the wireless trigger that lets my 7D use a flash wireless

E-TTL stands for "exposure through the lens". It is the means for automatically controlling flash output. Canon has built wireless features into most of the flashes for over a decade now, but until the 7D you needed a master flash or a flash controller. Now that is built into the pop up flash on the 7D.

So the answer is no, you don't need anything extra.

awesome. then i will maybe buy a cheap older flash to start with and if i like it then ill spend more money to buy a nicer setup. thanks. that E-TTL sounds pretty nice too i might try to get a flash that has that to start if i can find a cheap used one maybe

any suggestions on a cheap flash that would be a good starter that can be triggered by my 7D? not sure what a reasonable budget is so im just looking for affordable suggestions for a college student

Well you HAVE to get a Canon flash with ETTL to use the built in wireless controller for the 7D.

I'd recommend a 430EX or 550EX so you can still have manual control in additional to just ETTL. The 420EX does not allow manual control.

430EX it is then ill just have to save up for it. thanks for the help

so after looking around a little what might be my options for a cheap 3rd party flash that my 7D can trigger and what feature do i look for so i know what flashes can be triggered wireless by my camera. thanks again yall, im new but plan on learning a lot

Brian_R wrote in post #12918892
so after looking around a little what might be my options for a cheap 3rd party flash that my 7D can trigger and what feature do i look for so i know what flashes can be triggered wireless by my camera. thanks again yall, im new but plan on learning a lot

This:

tkbslc wrote in post #12918548
Well you HAVE to get a Canon flash with ETTL to use the built in wireless controller for the 7D.

I'd recommend a 430EX or 550EX so you can still have manual control in additional to just ETTL. The 420EX does not allow manual control.

The 7D will only trigger canon flashes without any extra triggers being needed. If you want to trigger a different brand of flash such as Yongnuo/Sigma/Metz you will need to buy aftermarket triggers such as those made by Phottix, Cactus, Pocketwizard, Radio Poppers etc or a sync cable.

Don't forget to look out that book I mentioned earlier, it will teach you everything you need to know.

thanks guys. ill be getting the book

and that is lame but understandable that my canon camera can only wirelessly trigger canon speedlights

i am also considering buying a cheap 3rd party flash (Yongnuo YE-465) was suggested to me and buy a sync cord and just go to town with it so i can see if i like it and that can keep my budget under $100 to start out im told

Brian_R wrote in post #12918302
if i get more shoots ill be able to buy a 430EXII. if not i guess i might have to save up. i didnt want to spend a lot since i wanted to try it out but obviously a 430 would still come in handy and i like that my 7D can trigger it wireless even though i dont understand how it all works lol.

One place to find information about 7D wireless control is:

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=iKYDFHYZg3o

There is also something on the Canon learning centre, but they've made it harder to find. Hope this helps.

HughR wrote in post #12937866
One place to find information about 7D wireless control is:

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=iKYDFHYZg3o

There is also something on the Canon learning centre, but they've made it harder to find. Hope this helps.

thanks