ordered a 580 EX :D and some questions

Because I'm connected to a makeup education I have the job to make some pictures every night from the work the pupils have done.

With my 420EX and omnibounce this works just fine but I want a bit more.
I'm thinking about a setup with the 580EX on the camera or slightly off via cable and a 420EX as background or hairlight.

I will also be buying the portable lastolite background White/Black.

Does anyone have anytips for this combo ?
I'm used to working with studioflashes but this is a whole new area .

Can I for example set one flash for -2 fstops and one for -1/3 ?

Will probarbly find this in the manual but I can't wait .

Greetings,
Frank

You can set the flash ratio when using the 580 as master. You can also set both flashes to manual output, so they become like 'studio flashes' whithout the modelling light off course. Good luck, and post some results!

I don't think that you can set the 420 to manual, at least I've never figured out how on mine.

Anyway you'd use the 580 as the MAster and the 420 as the slave. The Slave MUST be in line of sight of the Master but in a small room there might be enough reflections from off of the walls to cheat a bit. If the 420 doesn't fire then that's your problem.

Set the 420 as the B group flash. The 580 will default to A. In this configuration the 580 is now the fill and your 420 is the main light. Dig out your 580's instruction book and it will walk you through the details of setting up lighting ratios.

I've found that putting black cards on the sides of the 420 to be very useful for controlling flare and for directing the light more accurately. I use self-adhesive Velcro to attach the cards.

These were done using 2-550EX's and a 420EX.
http://www.pbase.com/s​cottbergerphoto/ayana_​bailey
Dave is correct. The 420EX won't work as a manual flash. I set the on- camera flash as the Master (A) set to ETTL, the 2nd 550EX on a light stand with an umbrella (Slave-B) and the 420EX as the background light (Slave-C). You set the Ratios on the Master (A:B):C.
If you prefer to set FEC directly on each flash as you asked above, you can. Here is the trick: You need to make sure each flash is in group A for that to work. Otherwise, the setting on the Master will control the others. This is the opposite of ETTL with ratios, where they must be in different groups. I spent an hour on the phone with Canon till we figured this out.
Regards,
Scott

It will never replace my studio setup but I was a bit afraid that the 420EX would alway's flash on full power that will destroy the shots I'm afraid but I guess it will be testing tomorrow .

wow, there isn't a mode button ... that sux.

The 550's(A) control of the 420(C) is quite good. It's actually kind of nice to not have to go from light to light to adjust them. The only problem is you can't put them all in the same group and dial in FEC individually on each as the 420 has no manual controls.
Scott

What do you mean?

Seems obvious to me: The flash can only be used in ETTL(2) mode, not manual.... That's a pity