Placing Flash (420EX, 550EX & ST-E2)

I have The 420 & 550 EX flash units available and the transmitter. If I use the 550 EX as a master, I could set up the 420 as a slave. Not a lot of height available. Where (if at all) should I put it? I'm tempted to just use the 550EX on camera and forget the whole slave thing but, if it's there, and I can just set it up and forget it, why not?

The set shots will be pretty static - not much room to play around so, just adding to the group and trying different arrangements. This might be a good chance to set up the slave...

Any advice would be appreciated.

Regards

Martin

I'm not exactly sure what your question is or how your set looks. Have you seen the -=EOS Flash=- Sticky?

I also have a 550 EX, 420 EX and the ST-E2. If you use the ST-E2, you should set both flashes to slave mode. The ST-E2 is the master. With the ST-E2, you can set the ratio of the output of both flashes, if you set one flash in group A and the other in group B (see the manual of the flashes and the transmitter). If you don't use the ST-E2, you can use the 550 EX as the master and the 420 EX as the slave (the other way around is not possible).

You can do a lot of creative things with this setup. Here are some links that I posted in the sticky:
Portable Studio Flash Using Canon Speedlites
One Flash, Two Flashes, Three Flashes

Thanks Jesper,

I should have been a bit clearer.

I'm pretty much OK with what the kit does but I am asking about where to place it or perhaps, where to position the flash. The easiest thing would be to slave the 420 off the 550 and not use the transmitter. If so, and the 550 is on camera, where should I put the 420? I have a tripod available, but not much hight.

Regards

Martin

Are you saying that you have low ceilings or that the tripod isn't very tall? Where you put the other flash depends on what you are trying to do and what the ambient lighting conditions are. If you what to use the tripod but need more height than it can offer (and don't have a low ceiling) you can make an extension riser for it with a few things from the local hardware store. Depending on the tripod you have, the head the camera mounts to will be a standard 1/4-20 thread, and if the head is removable that should be a standard 3/8-18 thread. You can go to the hardware store and get a length of threaded rod and a coupler (piece to thread 2 rods into), thread the coupler to the tripod, then insert the threaded rod and add the flash to the top. You will have to be a little careful the higher you make it the more wobbly it will become, so you'll want to make sure that it wont tip over accidentally. Adding some weight to the lower part of the tripod will help stabilize it if you feel it might fall. It should cost you in less than $20 or so for the parts and takes about 5 or 10 minutes to assemble. That’s also assuming that you have a hacksaw to cut the rod to the length you need. If not just measure it before you go to the store and ask if they can to cut it for you.

The great thing about digital and wireless TTL is that you get to play and it doesn't cost you anything once you own the toys.

I use the Canon Wireless TTL system all the time and love it, but first there's a few things to buy, sigh ...

The first is to get some self adhesive Velcro ($1.00) and put some of the soft side on to both sides of the 420's flash head. Then get some black heavy cardboard (free) and cut it into roughly 5"x4" shapes. Put some of the hard Velcro on that. You are going to use these cards to "flag" the 420. The one closest to the camera will help prevent flare and the far one will prevent the flash from spilling on the background, should you want that.

Then you need to get a really really cheap light stand. $10.00 -$20.00 should get you one. And then you need a device that B&H sells (under about three different manufacturer's names) called an "Umbrella Bracket" ($15.00). It goes onto the light stand and has an accessory shoe (i.e. a non hot, hotshoe) that you'll slip the 420 into. You MUST rotate the front of the 420 towards the Master flash position. The 420 can then "see" the instructional pulse.

The umbrella bracket pivots so that you can aim the flash down while having the flash's face turned to the camera position. It will also hold an umbrella. To make a homemade version will be time consuming and wouldn't work as well. Make SURE that you get one with the accessory shoe.

I presume that you know how to set up the two flashes so they are in Master Slave relationship so I won't go over that here. Email me if you want more info on that.

So where do you put the 420? If you are looking to do regular portrait type lighting then having it at about 45 degrees to the subject will be about right. If the Master is the A flash (The 420 is B) then you should select something like 1:3 (NOT, NOT I SAY 3:1). If you want a really nice rim light you could put the 420 behind the subjects and to one side. At this point the value of the flag card will be obvious but keep an eye out for flare just in case. I'd probably bring the ratio back to around 1:1, but you can look at the shot to decide. Using the flash like this adds a sense of depth to the image and some drama.

I know that I've spent some of your money and you probably are looking to do this on the cheap but getting a stand and the umbrella bracket will make live a lot simpler and the results much more repeatable.

It really depends on what you are trng to shoot on whier to place you lights ire you shooting stilllifes ,portiats or something else.I agree with dave to try them in different places to see what you like as you already have the flashes it will cost you nothing.