Speedlite/trigger question

i don't use them a lot, but every once in a while i bust out the speedlites and modifiers if need be, triggered either via a master flash on the camera body, or via PW plus III units. my flashes are 2x580EXII and a 580 EX.

as fate would have it, both of my EXII units no longer work, and i was told by canon that they are not supported any longer, so into the trash they go (unless anyone wants to cover shipping and take them off my hands). and the 580EX doesn't have an input for a sync cable from the PWs.

so, i am trying to figure out how to re-establish this flash capability. i don't really feel like forking over the $$$ for the 600EX units, and as far as I can tell, the Yongnuo flashes only work w/ their triggers and not with the PWs. so, any thoughts?

Thx.

I'd switch to Godox/Flashpoint now.
I can't believe two 580EX II's died? that's like lightning striking three times in one place IMHO. wow.

I used to use PWs and Canon flashes. Now I use Godox 100%. Affordable, easy to use, and so so so expandable! It's the most comprehensive wireless system around.

On sale right now, this is the one with it's own lithium ion battery pack,. so much better than dealing with AA's
https://www.adorama.co​m/fplfsmzl2ca.html

Also on sale right now, the amazing trigger controller;
https://www.adorama.co​m/fprrr2procii.html

If you'd prefer to stick with Canon flashes, I have one or two 580EX II kicking around, and an STE-2 controller.

Thx Jake i will check out your recommendations.

I second Jake's recommendations. I also used PW's, 580 and 580II's until I replaced them all with the Flashpoint system. Instead of fumbling with 4 "AA" batteries with Canon speedlites, you use a single square Li-ion battery cell that yields 650 flash pops at full power (I tested it) and recycles faster and at longer duration. With built-in receiver, no more having to attach any receivers to 580's, either.

A couple years ago, Powerex battery company contacted me out of the blue and asked me to do another round of battery tests after 10 years since I posted my first battery test on this forum. Apparently, their revenue went up significantly after the test results posted here. I did follow through with their request for the updated test, but I did so half heartedly knowing that, with these new Li-ion batteries that offer nearly triple the power of "AA" batteries, I really didn't see much of future for "AA" batteries. I told Powerex as much and suggested that they need to look beyond "AA" format.

I now have 3 Flashpoint Zoom Li-on R2 TTL flash units, all working perfectly for the past several years. Since then, they came up with a round headed version, and it's currently on Black Friday sale for just $.35 more than the one Jake linked to. Given the price, I'm really tempted to get one:

https://www.adorama.co​m …ca.html?Categor​yID=249442

One perhaps significant advantage of the round headed version is that there are all kinds of flash head attachments that you can get without the adapter (rectangular to round head).

I've resisted getting a round head unit thus far, but I see they also have a round head adapter for the 200 battery strobe,. making all those modifiers work universally... now resistance is futile!

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #19155858
I've resisted getting a round head unit thus far, but I see they also have a round head adapter for the 200 battery strobe,. making all those modifiers work universally... now resistance is futile!

At that lowest price I've seen of the round head, I couldn't resist the temptation enough to go to the checkout point. Then, just before pressing the order button, I took a bathroom break when I realized 1) I don't do as much flash photography anymore; 2) I already have four speedlites; 3) I already have the adapter; and 4) along with the round headed flash, I'd also need to get a Round Flash S-type Bowens Mount Bracket for $25. So, I ended up backing out.

thanks, this is really helpful! so, the round flash is the way to go if i've got the choice and am not locked in?

The only thing i might need to consider is that i have a 38" Glow parapop softbox and the speedlite mount is definitely made for a rectangular and not circular flash head, but i imagine that's an easy part to source?

narlus wrote in post #19160315
thanks, this is really helpful! so, the round flash is the way to go if i've got the choice and am not locked in?

The only thing i might need to consider is that i have a 38" Glow parapop softbox and the speedlite mount is definitely made for a rectangular and not circular flash head, but i imagine that's an easy part to source?

This is what you'd need:

https://www.adorama.co​m …_BwE&utm_source​=adl-gbase

I use classic flash units in studio quite a bit as triggered by PW. The 550EX is available on eBay for $40, and the Contax TLA30 for $20. These are full-powered with manual energy setting. I attach them to hot-shoe adapters that accept the standard PW cable.

thanks! i could also save a bit of $ and just buy this, and screw it onto my existing mount that's set up for a rectangular speedlite

https://www.adorama.co​m/glsrpopbo.html


but i decided against that, as i can't use the modeling light function with my calumet monolights with that softbox.


also, since the round flashpoint unit wasn't at black friday prices any longer, i couldn't justify the extra $100, esp since i'll be using these flashes mostly with modifiers. i did end up buying a Glow strip box too. some really good prices there!