Off-camera flash... questions/confusion/rant on the (lack of affordable) options

Hey guys,

Now that I'm more familiar with my camera, I've started to look toward using my flash. I've been playing with a lot cheap and do-it-yourself options for flash diffusion (third-party omnibounce, diy ABBC, etc.) since photography is becoming a very expensive hobby. But all of these have been on-camera and I'm looking to explore off-camera options. Here's a mix of questions and rants all in one jumbled mess:

First, I looked at optical slave triggers. These can be had for about $10. But these are unable to respond properly to pre-flash or lock up when used on a Speedlite (SCR issue?). This leaves only one or two that seem to work with Speedlites... and they are over $60. But then there is this:
http://www.pbase.com …e/slave_flash_t​rigger_iii
He seems to work around all those issues (if only he released his code :-/... and did he solve the lock up issue by swapping the SCR with a transistor?). Are there affordable optical slave triggers?

Second, I heard people had luck with a Wein Peanut without lock-up issues, though I'm not sure if this is conclusive. This provides an affordable option, but I don't believe the Peanut can handle pre-flashes. Has anyone tried the Wein Digital Peanut (which unfortunately, is getting pricey already)?

Third, I considered a simple off-camera shoe cord. But to my amazement, this costs $60. Isn't this just 6 direct extension wires? Are these any electronics at all? I think there may be a few 3rd party ones, but those remain around $40. Is there anything stopping someone from spitting an RJ-45 ethernet coupler, and wiring 6 wires to a hot shoe attachment? (I'm sure it's easier said than done, but if someone had some know-how and access to parts, it sounds like a decent DIY project).

Fourth, I'd consider a PC sync cord, but am I correct that this just fires the flash (no TTL communication)? This is more complicated for me, as I have no PC sync port on either my camera or my flash.

Fifth, I hear the low-cost radio triggers don't work with Speedlites either. Is this correct?

Maybe I'm not being reasonable, but there seems to be a lack of affordable options for Canon owners. I'm feeling rather locked in to use Canon's own solutions. Anyone have suggestions? Perhaps an affordable non-flash (just studio lighting) solution?

ghostman
The first thing I did when I wanted to use off camera flash was get the off camera flash cord. I realized that 2 feet was useless and spliced 15 feet of cord to it. The Off Camera cord was $80 and I know you can get them cheaper. This gave me e-ttl-II with a 430EX off camera.
Now I have a 550EX which I use to master but still use the Off Camera Cord to position it where I want and it controls a Sigma Super.
To me at the time that was cheaper than the 580EX, 550EX, Sigma 5xx Super or the ST-E2.

Dan

dch0719 wrote in post #4183415
ghostman
The first thing I did when I wanted to use off camera flash was get the off camera flash cord. I realized that 2 feet was useless and spliced 15 feet of cord to it. The Off Camera cord was $80 and I know you can get them cheaper. This gave me e-ttl-II with a 430EX off camera.
Now I have a 550EX which I use to master but still use the Off Camera Cord to position it where I want and it controls a Sigma Super.
To me at the time that was cheaper than the 580EX, 550EX, Sigma 5xx Super or the ST-E2.

Dan

Indeed, that is the direction I'm leaning toward. But $80 ($60 for v3 of the cord on Amazon) for a couple of wires stuck to hot shoe attachments seems ridiculous. I'm surprised there aren't more knock-offs. It couldn't cost more than $5 to make.

For those familiar with the cord, are there any electronics in it at all? I hear there's a diode, but I don't see why it would need one. Perhaps I'm underestimating this cable.

ghostman wrote in post #4183083
there seems to be a lack of affordable options for Canon owners. I'm feeling rather locked in to use Canon's own solutions.

It's only expensive if you insist on buying stuff with the Canon brand on it or if you want E-TTL control of off-camera units.

Otherwise, there are less expensive flash units that work just as well and play nice with optical slaves. The Sunpak 383 and the Vivitar 285HV are popular, and both under $100.

Leave your 430EX on the hotshoe where it's designed to work (in manual mode it will trigger optical slaves just fine), and go for the aftermarket alternatives for off-camera lighting.

Curtis N wrote in post #4184016
It's only expensive if you insist on buying stuff with the Canon brand on it or if you want E-TTL control of off-camera units.

Otherwise, there are less expensive flash units that work just as well and play nice with optical slaves. The Sunpak 383 and the Vivitar 285HV are popular, and both under $100.

Leave your 430EX on the hotshoe where it's designed to work (in manual mode it will trigger optical slaves just fine), and go for the aftermarket alternatives for off-camera lighting.

Funny you should mention this. I just stumbled upon your review of the Sunpak 383 just before I returned to this thread. It sounds like a very decent flash. I'm more than happy to move away from the expensive Canon hardware (thus, my Tamron lens as my primary walkaround). I suppose it's good to learn more about doing the manual things anyway.

Curtis nailed it. Once you move away from canon flash units and ETTL control you can do a lot on a budget. Whether this suits your needs or not of course is another matter, but there are options out there.