Firing extra lights with 580EX/Ringlight combo

I should start by saying that I'm a newb to off camera flash so sorry if the answer to this is really obvious

I'm planning to get the Rayflash ringflash in a few weeks which works in combination with my 580EX II mounted on the camera hotshoe but I'd like to have the option of using additional lights sometimes.

I was planning to purchase a couple Nikon SB24s for my extra lights as I could then make use of their PC port and ebay radio triggers to fire them.

Basically I'm unsure how I would fire them when the 580EX/Ringflash combo is mounted on the camera.

Thanks,

Chris

Going on the contents of your gear list:

can you use your Cactus triggers via a PC cord ? your 5d has a PC socket on the left hand side of the body and if it can use a Plug in PC cord, or even a PC-Hotshoe adapter then you can fire your off camera lights
using Wein Peanut slaves on the off camera flashes will work too, and be a lot neater.

of course you are going to have to use your 580/rayflash in manual mode if your intending to use other off camera flashes

if you grab a couple of 430EX or 550/580ex flashes instead of vivitar/nikon/sigma/me​tz units, you can use the IR wireless system (with canon ETTL)

Thanks very much for the quick reply

Echo63 wrote in post #6092088
can you use your Cactus triggers via a PC cord ? your 5d has a PC socket on the left hand side of the body and if it can use a Plug in PC cord, or even a PC-Hotshoe adapter then you can fire your off camera lights
using Wein Peanut slaves on the off camera flashes will work too, and be a lot neater.

Thanks, tbh I just assumed that I could use either the hotshoe or the pc socket but not both. All I'd need for this solution then is a longer cable and a 5mm to 3.5mm jackplug adapter though I must admit I'm likely to trip over the darn cable knowing me

I like the sound of the Peanut slaves and would of course mean no trailing cable for me to trip on. Thanks again for the heads up

Echo63 wrote in post #6092088
of course you are going to have to use your 580/rayflash in manual mode if your intending to use other off camera flashes.

if you grab a couple of 430EX or 550/580ex flashes instead of vivitar/nikon/sigma/me​tz units, you can use the IR wireless system (with canon ETTL)

Part of the reason for choosing the SB-24s is cost since I could pick up a SB-24 plus brolly, stand and flash stand/brolly holder for only a little more than just a bare 430EX. The other reason was I understand that using radio triggers is more reliable than an IR wireless system.

With regards to shooting in manual rather than ETTL I'm certainly no expert but I'm okay with having to work in that way in a studio, using my light meter to set up the lights so I reckon I shouldn't be any worse outside...I think!

Cheers,

Chris