Look This Over For Me

Im trying for a multiple flash system and a studio setup.

I have a 430ex flash

I plan to buy-
1 more 430ex- $250.40
2 Digital flash umbrellas kit- $114.35
1 Speedlight Transmitter, which sets off unlimited speedlights- $219.40

A total of $584.15
I have the money, is this a good idea for having a good quality multiple flash setup, i also plan to use it for a studio setup as well??? Please give me any thoughts or ideas. Thank you

For $585.15 (or so) you can have a couple of Alien Bee B400's with light stands and umbrellas.

The AB units will be:

• Significantly more powerful
  
• Have modeling lights
  
• Will fit on light stands without clunky adapters
  
• Will directly accept a cornucopia of light modifiers like softboxes, snoots, barndoors, etc, etc, etc
  
• Far more fit for studio use
  

i need more speedlights, im using them for skateboarding and other activities, and i wanted to know the best studio setup for using my speedlight and another flash. Its not specifically for studio

If you are taking pics outside it is very likely that the ETTL infrared communication between the Canon flash units and the ST-2E will not be very reliable.

Evidently inside the communication is reliable, but outside it is not.

If you move to some other reliable wireless triggering device like a Pocket Wizard, you will loose ETTL function. So you will be using manual flash.

And, if you loose ETTL function then there is no need for those very expensive Canon dedicated flash units.

So, if you want a reliable wireless hotshoe flash based system for the outside your cash may be better spent by going with:

• Sunpak 383 or Vivitar 285HV flash units ($80.00 to $90.00)
  
• Pocket Wizard Radio slaves (you would need three for a two flash system) about $500.00
  

Mike,

Please read Lon's posts again, because I would have written basically the same thing if he hadn't saved me the trouble.

I actually tried the ST-E2 and found exactly what Lon said - works pretty good inside but not the least bit reliable outside. Both of Lon's posts are dead accurate as far as I've seen. I just have not been able to justify the $500+ for the Pocket Wizards.

Okay, using the 430ex and the vivitar 285(my friend loves his) with pocket wizards/slaves i can do what i wanted with the two umbrellas as well???


Thank you very much guys i was dead set on buying that speedlight and transmitter

MikeNews wrote in post #2924928
Okay, using the 430ex and the vivitar 285(my friend loves his) with pocket wizards/slaves i can do what i wanted with the two umbrellas as well???


Thank you very much guys i was dead set on buying that speedlight and transmitter

Personally I think the Sunpak 383 is a slightly better choice, and it is about $10.00 less than the 285HV.

The fact that the head on the 383 rotates just makes it better. And it has a bit more more manual control. And, since you can rotate the head, you can always have the manual control more accessible (you cannot do this on the 285HV).

The 285HV does have a zoom head feature that the 383 does not have, but this feature is of no value when bouncing into an umbrella, and you already have a zoom head for on camera work (your 430EX).

Enjoy! Lon

londuck wrote in post #2925098
Personally I think the Sunpak 383 is a slightly better choice, and it is about $10.00 less than the 285HV.

The fact that the head on the 383 rotates just makes it better. And it has a bit more more manual control. And, since you can rotate the head, you can always have the manual control more accessible (you cannot do this on the 285HV).

The 285HV does have a zoom head feature that the 383 does not have, but this feature is of no value when bouncing into an umbrella, and you already have a zoom head for on camera work (your 430EX).

Enjoy! Lon

Thank you, youve been a big help, i was going to spend alot of my money on trial and error if i didnt get your guidance thanks

1 more question, on the sunpak 383 doesnt take a pc cord, its not a wireless flash?

MikeNews wrote in post #2925522
Thank you, youve been a big help, i was going to spend alot of my money on trial and error if i didnt get your guidance thanks

1 more question, on the sunpak 383 doesnt take a pc cord, its not a wireless flash?

It accepts a sync cord, but it is not a PC connection. The 285HV also accepts a different sync cord that is also not a PC cord. There are all sorts of sync connectors other than a PC connection. A PC is a very specific type of sync connection.

Did you read Curtis' nice review on his 383 and his thread on off camera flash. Check these out.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=242847

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=246797

And this nice review by Lotto on inexpensive ebay radio slaves that might be an alternative for those very expensive Pocket Wizards (but less reliable).

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=273624

Enjoy! Lon