How can I trigger 2 flashes off camera?

I would like to set up 2 flashes off camera. One is a 430EX. The other is a Sunpak 383 super. The Sunpak has sync input so it's easy to trigger with just a long sync cord. I don't want any of the flashes to sit on the camera's hot shoe. The camera is a 30D.

The question is, how do I trigger the 430EX? I was thinking some sort of photoelectric trigger would work or maybe a sync cord splitter if it exists?

It exists:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.hama.de …rticleId*3985/a​ction*2563

But the 430EX doesn't have a sync socket or does it? Photoelectric triggers generally don't work with Canon flashes. You could try a flash extender cable.

Or something like this:

Thanks.

HenryS wrote in post #2868567
But the 430EX doesn't have a sync socket or does it?

you're correct it doesnt have a sync socket

HenryS wrote in post #2868567
But the 430EX doesn't have a sync socket or does it? Photoelectric triggers generally don't work with Canon flashes.

my ebay sourced Sonia trigger works flawlessly.

cosworth wrote in post #2870804
my ebay sourced Sonia trigger works flawlessly.

I got something similar at Ritz Camera today. It works fine on my Sunpak 383 Super but will only trigger the 430EX once. After the first time I have to turn the 430 off and back on again. It will trigger once more and then off/on again.

Do you use the Sonia with a 430?

I use it with a 580 set to manual.

cosworth wrote in post #2870804
my ebay sourced Sonia trigger works flawlessly.

I have several Sonia optical slaves, and although they work just dandy with all sorts of flash units, I cannot get them to function properly with a Canon 550EX.

I am very surprised you could get a Sonia to work with a 580EX (or 430EX).

Enjoy! Lon

zoti wrote in post #2867692
I would like to set up 2 flashes off camera. One is a 430EX. The other is a Sunpak 383 super. The Sunpak has sync input so it's easy to trigger with just a long sync cord. I don't want any of the flashes to sit on the camera's hot shoe. The camera is a 30D.

The question is, how do I trigger the 430EX? I was thinking some sort of photoelectric trigger would work or maybe a sync cord splitter if it exists?

The Canon units are very annoying when you are trying to use them in basic manual mode off camera without loading up exclusively on several very expensive Canon units (ST-E2, 580EX, etc)

I suggest this as the path of least resistance (basic setup annoyance) and cost.

• A hotshoe to PC adapter as shown in the post by René Damkot for the 430EX (set to manual mode)
  
• A 15 foot PC male to PC female sync cord connected to the hotshoe adapter above.
  
• An optical slave for the Sunpak 383.

My problem is that the only thing I could find locally was the opticat slave. If it worked then my problems were solved. I'd have the sunpak connected to the camera with the sync cord and the 430 slaved with the optical slave.

If only the optical slave worked with the canon. I just can't understand why it works only once.

there are a number of great sits on this.. strobists for one, prolly the best off cam small flash site going.

zoti wrote in post #2871545
If only the optical slave worked with the canon. I just can't understand why it works only once.

This issue has been the source of many threads on this forum, over many months.

If you have interest check out the search feature.

The issue is complicated and despite a lot of educated conjecture and some investigation there is no integrated and comprehensive answer to this issue.

But for now, you will not be able to get your optical slave to work with your Canon Speedlight.

So, run a cord to the Canon 430EX and slave the 383.

Enjoy! Lon

Inspired byt the mod done for the 580EX I'm now adding an external sync port to the 430. It should be done tonight and I will post pictures.