Canon Speedlite Transmitter

Are these any good?

Looking for a remote transmitter for my 430EX and i'm picking up another 430EX (used) so i'll have Dual Flashes....

Does anyone have any imput?

EDIT: I take the whole comment back, I forgot that the transmitter allows all flashes to be off camera. I use the remote cable so that isn't a problem.

I don't have the transmitter, but the economy doesn't seem to justify it.

If you're picking up a second 430 ~ $250, the transmitter being $200 ... it would probably make sense to get a 580ex which is around $300-$350 and has the trasmitter built-in.

aram535 wrote in post #6070245
EDIT: I take the whole comment back, I forgot that the transmitter allows all flashes to be off camera. I use the remote cable so that isn't a problem.

I don't have the transmitter, but the economy doesn't seem to justify it.

If you're picking up a second 430 ~ $250, the transmitter being $200 ... it would probably make sense to get a 580ex which is around $300-$350 and has the trasmitter built-in.

Wow, makes sense.... thanks.... but can i use the 580 off camera? or so i need a transmitter to trigger that one too?

i'm picking up a used 430EX for 150 Btw

dtufino wrote in post #6070570
Wow, makes sense.... thanks.... but can i use the 580 off camera? or so i need a transmitter to trigger that one too?

i'm picking up a used 430EX for 150 Btw

The 580EX can be taken off camera without needing another transmitter if you use the off-shoe cord 2 or 3 to connect it to the flash. Otherwise, you'll need a master sitting on the camera to control the 580EX as well. But for many applications where the master provides the fill light and the off-camera flash provides the main light, it isn't necessary to have the fill light off camera unless you're going for a specific look or effect.

Keep in mind that the ST-E2 transmitter requires line-of-sight to communicate with the flashes and reportedly can have problems working dependably in daylight outdoors. If you don't mind working with the flashes in manual, you could consider using a RF trigger such as the Cybersyncs which don't require line-of-sight and would be more dependable outdoors.

jdpence wrote in post #6070628
Keep in mind that the ST-E2 transmitter requires line-of-sight to communicate with the flashes and reportedly can have problems working dependably in daylight outdoors. If you don't mind working with the flashes in manual, you could consider using a RF trigger such as the Cybersyncs which don't require line-of-sight and would be more dependable outdoors.

where can i purchase Cybersyncs transmitter are they cheap/Safe for my 40D?

http://alienbees.com/

Also, note that you cannot use the ST-E2 in manual mode. I purchased mine, and ultimately wound up switching to skyports for this reason.

mattograph wrote in post #6070689
http://alienbees.com/

Also, note that you cannot use the ST-E2 in manual mode. I purchased mine, and ultimately wound up switching to skyports for this reason.

The ST-E2 does not allow you to control the flash outputs in manual mode (neither does the SkyPort or any of the other RF remotes) but that does not mean that you cannot use the flashes in manual mode and have them triggered by the ST-E2 because you can. Just an FYI for future reference.

Cybersyncs are made and sold by AlienBees at www.alienbees.com/cybe​rsync. Depends on your definition of cheap, but they are less expensive than the ST-E2. Yes, they are safe to use with 40D.

mattograph wrote in post #6070689
http://alienbees.com/

Also, note that you cannot use the ST-E2 in manual mode. I purchased mine, and ultimately wound up switching to skyports for this reason.

Okay, i'm not sure what it is that i need to purchase.....

site looks Bootleg... lol am i'm buying the transmitter and receiver or just transmitter?

You'll need the transmitter and the receiver. The transmitter mounts on the hot shoe as shown on the website. The receiver connects to the flash unit with a cable. Not sure if the 430EX has a PC sync port like my 580EX II. If not, you'll need a pc to hot shoe adapter for the flash.

www.alienbees.com is fine - they provide some of the best customer service you will find. I believe their site is the only place you can buy Cybersync radio units.

And please understand that when you go to a radio transmitter you lose automatic function of your 430EX - there is NO ETTL. The flash is in manual mode and you adjust the power manually. If you don't have a flash meter then you use trial and error.

PacAce wrote in post #6070702
The ST-E2 does not allow you to control the flash outputs in manual mode (neither does the SkyPort or any of the other RF remotes) but that does not mean that you cannot use the flashes in manual mode and have them triggered by the ST-E2 because you can. Just an FYI for future reference.

Not to get too far off topic, but I am sitting here right now with my ST-E2 and a 580 EX II in slave mode. And the 580 WILL NOT switch to manual in slave......... am I missing something?

mattograph wrote in post #6070916
Not to get too far off topic, but I am sitting here right now with my ST-E2 and a 580 EX II in slave mode. And the 580 WILL NOT switch to manual in slave......... am I missing something?

Yes. Press and hold the mode button until "ETTL" changes to a blinking "M".

I think we ended up confusing the OP...

The final/short/cheap solution is to use the 580EX with a cord as a master and set off your 480EX remotely. This will give you both manual and auto modes, as well as giving you ETTL.

Anything beyound that you will have to give up something for the distance/non-local flash use.

A typical example of a wedding shot. On a beach, you have the couple go out to a set of rock 30-40 feet away, but they're in shadow and you need a light source, you can't use a reflector (wide shot) you can't use a local flash, you need to be able to hide a flash near them and set it off. This requires one of the solutions from above (non-line-of-site solution).

I hope that clears up some of the confusion.