Off-camera flash need not be difficult, nor expensive.

MT wrote in post #2637292
.......... While optical slaves could be one option....

Except they don't work with EX flashes because the preflash confuses the optical trigger and fires the remote flash prematurely.

That's to say the three different optical triggers I have don't work. I stand to be corrected as I understand there may be optical triggers that do accommodate preflash.

In honesty Curtis's previous comment of using a non EX flash with auto set to an aperture value accommodates changing light levels. The flash only delivers the necessary light that it sees - you just set the camera to the same setting.

It isn't fool proof obviously, but seems to give far more flexibility than the EX flash.

The EX flash is great for point and shoot requirements, but IMHO is too clever for its own good if you want to do more with it.

Canon's flash is far from perfect. However, when used correctly it is an extremely flexible system - arguably no less so than any other systems flash compatible with Canon cameras.

Just got this flash in the mail. Notice the 'Sync' connector on the side is a smaller type of connector that the ebay wireless trigger i have cant plug in to. What kind of pc cord do I need that will work with the flash and ebay triggers?

ekk_xt,
Your flash should have come with a short cord, one end plugs into the flash, the other end is a standard PC male connector. Please verify that you have the cord like that pictured in this post.

Now we need to know more about your wireless receiver. Does it have a PC female connector like the one in this post?

Curtis N wrote in post #2640187
ekk_xt,
Your flash should have come with a short cord, one end plugs into the flash, the other end is a standard PC male connector. Please verify that you have the cord like that pictured in this post.

Now we need to know more about your wireless receiver. Does it have a PC female connector like the one in this post?

Curtis,
Hmm didnt' receive any cord with the flash .. is that something I can purchase somewhere?

This is the wireless receiver that I have .. the 16channel one
http://cgi.ebay.com …em=140074106046​&rd=1&rd=1

If you need a sync cord for the Sunpak 383, B&H has a 2 ft. version and a 5 ft. version.

Curtis, thanks for the link. With just that cord, I can connect that to the wireless receiver (above ebay link) right?

Curtis N wrote in post #2636938
If you have successfully used optical slave adapters on Canon EX Speedlites, please let us know the brand and model. There are many threads on this forum relating frustrations with this combination of equipment.

Its been documented by a number of people that the basic wein peanut slave works succesfully without locking up the 550 or 580. It requires a short PC sync cord though so you need a hotshoe to pc adapter.

ekk_xt wrote in post #2641952
With just that cord, I can connect that to the wireless receiver (above ebay link) right?

Yes. According to the description and pictures in the E-Bay add, the receiver has a PC socket which will connect to the PC male end of the cord.

Elv, thanks for the info, and welcome to POTN!

What size umbrella are you shooting the 383 into? I was looking at something like what I linked to below. Is a 45" umbrella to large for this flash?

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ghType=category​Navigation

-Jason

elv wrote in post #2642133
Its been documented by a number of people that the basic wein peanut slave works succesfully without locking up the 550 or 580. It requires a short PC sync cord though so you need a hotshoe to pc adapter.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …EG&addedTroughT​ype=search

Any citation(s) to the documentations of good function with a Canon 550EX or 580EX and the Wein "Peanut" optical slave.

One significant participant in this forum, Lotto, has indicated good function with a recent Canon speedlight and the Wein "Peanut", but personally I have not seen anything else.

If you are aware of information at other forums, or other places, I would like to be aware of the locations.

Enjoy! Lon

jrotello wrote in post #2660482
What size umbrella are you shooting the 383 into?

I have a couple 42" umbrellas. 45" is probably as big as you can use indoor with 8 ft. ceilings.

Outdoors, the bigger they are, the easier they blow over. 30" umbrellas are usually fine for use with small flash units.

Thanks for the tip. I didn't even think about the ceiling height! I ended up going w/ a 32" white w/ removeable black cover. Really looking forward for all of this stuff to get here so I can start learning about off camera lighting!

londuck wrote in post #2660827
Any citation(s) to the documentations of good function with a Canon 550EX or 580EX and the Wein "Peanut" optical slave.

One significant participant in this forum, Lotto, has indicated good function with a recent Canon speedlight and the Wein "Peanut", but personally I have not seen anything else.

If you are aware of information at other forums, or other places, I would like to be aware of the locations.

Enjoy! Lon

I can understand what your saying, Ive seen it atleast about 6 different times but I don't keep all the links. They seem to be notorious for not working on other flash units so theres no dought someone would be complaining by now if it didn't work on their 580/550 after seeing it. There was a couple on dpreview.com I think 3 on Strobist.com (Lotto is likely one of them) and ive seen some others around.
This guy is switched on more than your average punter
http://www.openphotogr​aphyforums.com/forums/​showthread.php?t=376

Only way you'll know for sure is give it a go (all care here no responsibility )

Curtis N wrote in post #2347963
Here is a picture of two of my slave sensors. One is a Wein (B&H link) and one is knock-off brand. They both work fine, but the Wein is built more rugged. Either one can be connected to the flash foot or with a PC cord, and they both have a 1/4-20 threaded hole in the bottom for mounting on a tripod or lightstand. Generally one slave is used for each flash, though it is possible to connect two flashes to the same slave (one on the slave's hotshoe and one via PC cord). The peanut slave you linked to seems a little pricey.

There is no limit to the number of optical slaves you can use, as long as you have one flash on the camera or fired through some other means (there must be a "master" to trigger the slaves).

Optical slaves usually work fine indoors, but if you're outdoors a radio slave system or PC cord is usually a better option.

if I understand correctly, I can use my 177A as a master (set on low-to not affect the scene) to trigger my 430EX? as long as I get one of those slave units/sensors?