Simple single outdoor flash setup.

What do you think i need?

I want to have the sun as my main light, and the flash as either a fill light, or to light up a background.

I don't have a speedlite yet, but i think i'm gonna get the 430 ex ii when it comes out.

So that and.... 2 pocket wizards? Or is there a cheaper or simpler way that i should start off (seeing as i'm a noob).
Also, i'm gonna need a stand right? What's reasonably priced as far as that goes?

If your light is going to be off camera you will have to use it in manual mode so you could just get a Sunpack 383 for something like 80 bucks. Also, you can substitute elinchrom skyports for the pocket wizards. If you can afford the pocketwizards, get them. As far as stands. You can order something like an 8 foot impact light stand from B+H for about 60 bucks. You will also need chords to connect your flash to your pocketwizard or skyport. I use www.flashzebra.com for these types of things.

Dang, why does the cheapest option have to be so expensive? You'd think that there'd be a way to go straight from the hotshoe to a speedlite with some simple wiring.

at $250 for the skyports, i think i'll just spend $400 and get 2 pocket wizards if thats my only option.

also, i've never worked with remote flashes.

When you say i have to use it in manual mode.. does that mean that the power of the flash will have to be manually set? the camera can't determine that for me?.... i have no clue what i'm doing there! how do i determine the amount of power i should use without taking 10 shots for each setting?

Have you considered just an inexpensive cord until you gain some experience?

Enjoy! Lon

I would get Skyports over PWs unless you need massive range or PW compatibility. You'll also need a hotshoe to PC converter.

tim wrote in post #5832171
I would get Skyports over PWs unless you need massive range or PW compatibility. You'll also need a hotshoe to PC converter.

That linked converter is a CAMERA hotshoe to PC converter, to connect sync to a camera that has no PC connector.

With a Skyport receiver on the camera, I am not sure what function it would serve.

With a 430EX and a Skyport set the OP would need some sort of FLASH hotshoe to sync adapter (not necessarily a PC connector).

The linked CAMERA hotshoe to PC adapter would be necessary if you were going to use a sync cord setup, is that what you meant?

Enjoy! Lon

FlashZebra wrote in post #5832191
That linked converter is a CAMERA hotshoe to PC converter, to connect sync to a camera that has no PC connector.

With a Skyport receiver on the camera, I am not sure what function it would serve.

With a 430EX and a syport set the OP would need some sort of FLASH hotshoe to sync adapter (not necessarily a PC connector).

The linked CAMERA hotshoe to PC adapter would be necessary if you were going to use a sync cord setup, is that what you meant?

Enjoy! Lon

Can you link me to the right one, out of interest?

FlashZebra wrote in post #5832049
Have you considered just an inexpensive cord until you gain some experience?

Enjoy! Lon

how would i do that? what would i buy, and what end would hook to the camera, and where on the camaera, and which to the flash?

i'm uber noob.....sorry

funk1196 wrote in post #5832385
how would i do that? what would i buy, and what end would hook to the camera, and where on the camaera, and which to the flash?

i'm uber noob.....sorry

Carefully read this very generous post my CurtisN. ThHis will give you an idea of the possibilities.

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

Then after you read that thread, read this equally generous post by CurtisN that covers your options.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=308108

Enjoy! Lon

With an off-camera shoe cord.

http://www.adorama.com​/CAOCSCE3.html

This gets you about two feet.

I've asked some of these questions previously...

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=472221

I've decided to go with the skyports instead.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …niversal_Radio_​Slave.html

They are about $185 not $240. Also if you decide to add another one it'll cost you another $100 rather than $200 like the PW II's.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …niversal_Radio_​Slave.html

funk1196 wrote in post #5830948
What do you think i need?

If you want simple outside in sunlight, just leave the flash on-camera, and use it as fill. You'll be surprised at how well the results are.

An alternate strategy would be to use the flash as your main light, and use the sun as a hair light or a rim light from behind the subject. For that, you'd need only the Canon flash; have the camera and the flash facing toward the sun and discharge the flash on each exposure, using the flash to fill any shadow left by the sun's backlight. Pointing your subject away from the sun prevents having that person squint in bright sunlight. Using the flash as main illumination also can fill in the deep facial shadows that can result from midday sun. Canon's most recent E-TTL II flash system can work better for this than the older E-TTL and its inconsistencies.

DC Fan wrote in post #5836702
An alternate strategy would be to use the flash as your main light, and use the sun as a hair light or a rim light from behind the subject. For that, you'd need only the Canon flash; have the camera and the flash facing toward the sun and discharge the flash on each exposure, using the flash to fill any shadow left by the sun's backlight. Pointing your subject away from the sun prevents having that person squint in bright sunlight. Using the flash as main illumination also can fill in the deep facial shadows that can result from midday sun. Canon's most recent E-TTL II flash system can work better for this than the older E-TTL and its inconsistencies.

Ahahahaha. As if E-TTL II doesn't have its own batch of awful inconsistencies?

Seriously, though, on-camera flash as your main light is going to be awfully flat and unflattering. Also, if you want to use decent length telephoto, which is ideal for portraiture, the flash might not be powerful enough for the distance.