430 EX II

Currently I have a 600D and a Sigma EF 530 super flashgun. This flash gun can be fired in slave mode from the on board flash. I want to set up a mini studio for portraits and my question is:- would it be possible to have both flash units off cam with the 430 being triggered by the wireless function from the 600D and in turn the 530 being fired by the flash from the 430 ? If it is possible would there be any noticeable time lag using 1/200th shutter speed?

Paul

P4ulG wrote in post #14286012
Currently I have a 600D and a Sigma EF 530 super flashgun. This flash gun can be fired in slave mode from the on board flash. I want to set up a mini studio for portraits and my question is:- would it be possible to have both flash units off cam with the 430 being triggered by the wireless function from the 600D and in turn the 530 being fired by the flash from the 430 ? If it is possible would there be any noticeable time lag using 1/200th shutter speed?

Paul

both unit should be triggered by the camera's flash. the mode u r describing is not supported. r u trying to extend the triggering range?

Green Li wrote in post #14287548
both unit should be triggered by the camera's flash. the mode u r describing is not supported. r u trying to extend the triggering range?

Thanks for your reply

No not really. My thinking was that I could use both units wirelessly but it would appear from your reply that all three flashes would need to fire. I'm confused as to how the 600D triggers the 430 EX II. I originally thought that the trigger would be a radio signal or infra-red. It would appear that I'm wrong. So does it mean that I'd still need a set of radio triggers to fire just the two units? I don't like using the on-board flash as it always seems to cast an annoying shadow.

Paul

P4ulG wrote in post #14287788
Thanks for your reply

No not really. My thinking was that I could use both units wirelessly but it would appear from your reply that all three flashes would need to fire. I'm confused as to how the 600D triggers the 430 EX II. I originally thought that the trigger would be a radio signal or infra-red. It would appear that I'm wrong. So does it mean that I'd still need a set of radio triggers to fire just the two units? I don't like using the on-board flash as it always seems to cast an annoying shadow.

Paul

You should be able to use the built-in flash as a master flash in a way that it does not light the scene. In ETTL, there is number of pre-flashes happening that are used to control remote flashes. When the actual shot is taken, the master flash does not necessarily fire (not sure if your camera has this mode though; please check with the manual/menu). To the human eye, everything looks like a single flash, so don't be alarmed if you see your pop-up flash firing anyway...

Is the 530 just a regular optical slave, will it ingnore the canon preflash?

gonzogolf wrote in post #14287934
Is the 530 just a regular optical slave, will it ingnore the canon preflash?

sigma is a dedicated Canon flash, so it supports TTL slave modes, just like 430ex

Both flashes will trigger when the camera shoots. The on-board flash can be used for fill light, or just to trigger the optical slave flashes. Check the settings for off camera flash, read the manual, then shoot at a mirror. You will see in two modes that you will and will not see the on-camera flash, but both slaves will be lit in the picture.

Green Li wrote in post #14287909
You should be able to use the built-in flash as a master flash in a way that it does not light the scene. In ETTL, there is number of pre-flashes happening that are used to control remote flashes. When the actual shot is taken, the master flash does not necessarily fire (not sure if your camera has this mode though; please check with the manual/menu). To the human eye, everything looks like a single flash, so don't be alarmed if you see your pop-up flash firing anyway...

Thanks for your reply

I've just set the Sigma flash to ETTL Slave Channel 1 and set the flash control on the 600D Custom wireless Channel 1 External flash and this gives me what I've been looking for. You are quite right the master (on-board) flash pre flashes but doesn't fire the slave and when it fires to trigger the slave it doesn't light the scene. You,ve been a great help. Thanks very much. A big thank you to all the other guys who replied your contribution has helped me understand more.

Thanks

Paul

Just thought I'd post an up date. Got the 430 EX II and I'm able to to fire both flashguns with the wireless firing on the 600D. Now use the Sigms 530 to light the BG (for High Key) and the Canon 430 to fire through the translucent white brolly to light the model. Use this for head and shoulder portraits.
I'm really impressed with the 430 EX II's build, functionality & performance. A further bonus - there is currently a £25 cash back in the UK currently.

Paul

P4ulG wrote in post #14327739
Just thought I'd post an up date. Got the 430 EX II and I'm able to to fire both flashguns with the wireless firing on the 600D. Now use the Sigms 530 to light the BG (for High Key) and the Canon 430 to fire through the translucent white brolly to light the model. Use this for head and shoulder portraits.
I'm really impressed with the 430 EX II's build, functionality & performance. A further bonus - there is currently a £25 cash back in the UK currently.

Paul

Congrats! Glad everything worked out for you.