Aurora Firefly vs 430EX

I just bought a 20" Aurora Firefly from a great seller on this forum, it's really a nice piece of kit!

One thing though, my 430EX doesn't seem tall enough to fit into the hole/entry for the softbox. If I unlock the head and tilt it upward, I can get it in, but then it's not shooting straight into the softbox, and the head is in an unlocked position so it will bounce around inside (if the box is being moved around)

This sort of shows what I'm talking about, I should have taken this at a different angle to show how low the 430EX head is. I do have the mount at it's highest position.

How are you triggering the flash? Doesn't look like you have anything connected to the hotshoe. If you have a wireless trigger that connects to the hotshoe, that would rais it up a bit.

Good point Pward. I'm using the ST-E2, but as it now seems obvious, that isn't ideal since the flash's IR sensor is facing forward.

It might be time to sell the ST-E2 as much as I love it and get some radio triggers (are there any "cheap" triggers that also support HSS?)

Here are a few more pictures.

Pixel kings I think are about the cheapest you can get right now. They connect to the hotshoe of the flash too.

http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1334710​179&sr=8-2

If you have an off-camera shoe cord or a PC/hot shoe adapter lying around, either of those would get you some height 'till you get your radio triggers.

You could get a 2 inch 1/4 20 screw and a few washers or nuts as spacers. Paint them black to make them look nice. remove the thumb screw and use the new hardware. I bet you could fix it from home depot for less the $3.
Or this from adorama http://www.adorama.com​/PDPLLEDSW.html

Wow, thanks guys, all this helps. I really like those Pixel Kings, might sell my STE2.

That swivel adapter you mention Josh13 looks perfect otherwise!

You asked for inexpensive e-TTL triggers and that's what I showed you. I've never used them, so I can't vouch for them, Although there is an entire thread on them with many happy users. I ended up with phottix Odin triggers over pixel king and pocket wizard flex systems.

If you use washers to raise the flash enough for the head to slide into the modifier that is a good start.
Also, you can turn the body of the speedlite to one side or the other, even backwards so it can see the STE2 signal. I presume you will have the flash and modifier fairly close to the subject which implies the camera with STE2 will be behind the 430EX. So, if you turn the body of the flash so it is facing the camera you should be good to go. Just use washers to raise the flash enough.

PWard wrote in post #14284258
You asked for inexpensive e-TTL triggers and that's what I showed you. I've never used them, so I can't vouch for them, Although there is an entire thread on them with many happy users. I ended up with phottix Odin triggers over pixel king and pocket wizard flex systems.

Yes those look great. I love the STE2 but I plan on doing outdoor shooting. It's been great in the past, even outside, but radios might work better so those are a good idea.

That swivel adapter though, would allow me to turn the flash to face the STE2 which would be great.

The washer idea is good and simple, maybe I will do that for now. Thanks guys!

drisley wrote in post #14284417
Yes those look great. I love the STE2 but I plan on doing outdoor shooting. It's been great in the past, even outside, but radios might work better so those are a good idea.

That swivel adapter though, would allow me to turn the flash to face the STE2 which would be great.

The washer idea is good and simple, maybe I will do that for now. Thanks guys!

I did some testing with my STe2 and speedlites outside about a year ago. There is a page on my tutorial site that describes what I discovered.

Essentially, as long as there is a direct line of sight and the sun is not hitting the receiver window on the flash everything works fine.

drisley wrote in post #14283356
I just bought a 20" Aurora Firefly from a great seller on this forum, it's really a nice piece of kit!

One thing though, my 430EX doesn't seem tall enough to fit into the hole/entry for the softbox. If I unlock the head and tilt it upward, I can get it in, but then it's not shooting straight into the softbox, and the head is in an unlocked position so it will bounce around inside (if the box is being moved around)

This sort of shows what I'm talking about, I should have taken this at a different angle to show how low the 430EX head is. I do have the mount at it's highest position.

simply tilt the head up a bit and move the flash closer so it goes in. don't forget to pull out the wide-angle panel for more even light

Green Li wrote in post #14287856
simply tilt the head up a bit and move the flash closer so it goes in. don't forget to pull out the wide-angle panel for more even light

You read my mind, I did all of that. The only problem with tilting the head up is that it doesn't lock into position (that first locking angle is too high) so the head flops around inside. If you move the softbox around alot (which I plan to) the head of the 430EX is going to take a beating.

drisley wrote in post #14289669
You read my mind, I did all of that. The only problem with tilting the head up is that it doesn't lock into position (that first locking angle is too high) so the head flops around inside. If you move the softbox around alot (which I plan to) the head of the 430EX is going to take a beating.

read your mid, indeed...
You could use Velcro strap for protection.... Honl, lumiquest, etc.

Taking a second loo at your photos, can't the ring adapter for the soft box be lowered to accommodate the shorter flash?