Off Camer Flash N00B!

ok, i currently have a 580ex ii...i'd like to start shooting w/off camera flash.

basically, i am confused on what i need to get this accomplished! i had someone tell me to just get a 430ex and use my 580ex ii as the remote trigger.

what other options do i have?! if i can have the least expensive to the best/expensive option...

thanks!

alien bee cybersync and you should read through out this section, there has been questions like this answered already. not to be mean or anything.

you can use a wireless system (more expensive) Some names for those are pocketwizards, alien bees cyber sync

AlienBees - http://www.alienbees.c​om/cybersync.html

Pros - sleek won't trip on a cord
Cons - You lose ETTL

Or

Use a hard wired setup. Check out flashzebra.com - http://flashzebra.com …rds/ettlcords/i​ndex.shtml

pros - Retains the ETTL function.
cons- Trip hazard

this is all the info i've gathered in my flash understanding. I'm going with the wired connection when i get there.

vivala1210 wrote in post #8164304
alien bee cybersync and you should read through out this section, there has been questions like this answered already. not to be mean or anything.

thank you.

Smitty2001 wrote in post #8164325
you can use a wireless system (more expensive) Some names for those are pocketwizards, alien bees cyber sync

AlienBees - http://www.alienbees.c​om/cybersync.html

Pros - sleek won't trip on a cord
Cons - You lose ETTL

Or

Use a hard wired setup. Check out flashzebra.com - http://flashzebra.com …rds/ettlcords/i​ndex.shtml

pros - Retains the ETTL function.
cons- Trip hazard

this is all the info i've gathered in my flash understanding. I'm going with the wired connection when i get there.

thanks! i like the wireless option, but would like to retain the ETTL function. so is there no wireless option to retain ETTL?

John Photography wrote in post #8164339
thank you.

thanks! i like the wireless option, but would like to retain the ETTL function. so is there no wireless option to retain ETTL?

canon makes something wireless that retains ettl. ST-E2. http://www.usa.canon.c​om …tegoryid=141&mo​delid=8304

review - http://www.the-digital-picture.com …smitter-ST-E2-Review.aspx

Smitty2001 wrote in post #8164350
canon makes something wireless that retains ettl. ST-E2. http://www.usa.canon.c​om …tegoryid=141&mo​delid=8304

review - http://www.the-digital-picture.com …smitter-ST-E2-Review.aspx

i'll check that out too.

have you heard of Radio Popper? it too retain ETTL.

John Photography wrote in post #8164355
i'll check that out too.

have you heard of Radio Popper? it too retain ETTL.

radio popper, nope never heard... Guess i'm off to google that, thanks.

Smitty2001 wrote in post #8164360
radio popper, nope never heard... Guess i'm off to google that, thanks.

http://radiopopper.com​/products/

kinda confused if i need just a transmitter to trigger my 580ex ii or would i also need a receiver to attach to the 580ex ii?

John Photography wrote in post #8164367
http://radiopopper.com​/products/

kinda confused if i need just a transmitter to trigger my 580ex ii or would i also need a receiver to attach to the 580ex ii?

looks like you'll need a reciever also. This is for a 580ex. Read the comment for a tip for putting it on a 580ex ii
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=M9N6PMGC66g


Another review of how far radiopopper can transmit. I'm liking this.
http://www.youtube.com …6&feature=playe​r_embedded

man, it's $249 for a transmitter and $249 for a receiver!lol

If you're starting out with ocf and are interested in retaining ettl, I'd say ST-E2 is your best bet.

John Photography wrote in post #8164339
...thanks! i like the wireless option, but would like to retain the ETTL function. so is there no wireless option to retain ETTL?

The new Pocket Wizards do ETTL also. They're not cheap either, but if you want wireless ETTL, looks like you gotta pay the man one way or the other.

http://www.pocketwizar​d.com …ons/technology/​controltl/

Or another option no one mentioned is just get another flash. For about the same or not much more than an st-e2 you can get another flash. This is the route I went with for now. I have a 580ex ii and a metz 58-af 1 (both picked up used).

I put the 580 in master mode and the metz in wireless slave mode. I can now use either ettl2 or manual modes all controlled from my 580ex ii.

All the poppers do is change the "line of sight" light signal to a radio signal. You still need a master and a slave so its not the cheapest route to go. If you want to retain ettl and go remote, start with one of the long off camera cords from flashzebra, and then decide if the results merit the more expensive options.

Not ETTL, but the Skyports are reliable wireless triggers/receivers, and under $300 for a universal set and one extra receiver.

I tested the cheap ebay riggers and could only get 6 out ten times to fire the flash (a 430EX).
The Skyports just don't misfire. I was testing batteries in a 580EX II and it fired every time for over 100 pops.

I've posted these pics before, but I used the Skyports with a pair of 540EZ flashes to shoot high school basketball. Hundreds of shots during a game and no misfires. The flashes were set on manual at 1/4 power.

I don't know if this helps to answer your question, but it's all I have.
Thanks
Mike

Set up