7D + 430 EXII

Hey guys so I recently got a speedlite and wanted to try it out. I just got it this afternoon and was reading the manual and whatnot and read how to trigger the flash wirelessly. However after much tinkering, I only got the external flash to trigger only if the 7D pop-up flash worked... Is there a way to trigger the flash without the pop flash needing to work?

The pop up flash issues the command flashes for the 430EX slave. It does have to flash but it doesn't have to contribute to the image. Turn it off via the wireless menu on the 7D.

just to make it clearer:

first menu -> flash control -> Built-in Flash func. setting -> wireless func -> 3rd setting
(first is wireless disabled, second internal and external flashes in ratio, third is external only, fourth is something i can't remember)

If I do the third option, the pop-up flash still triggers but is it weak enough so it doesn't affect the photo NONE at all?

KCY wrote in post #10827656
just to make it clearer:

first menu -> flash control -> Built-in Flash func. setting -> wireless func -> 3rd setting
(first is wireless disabled, second internal and external flashes in ratio, third is external only, fourth is something i can't remember)

Wondertwins wrote in post #10827661
How would I make it so it doesn't contribute to the image? The pop up flash has to aim at the subject which I don't like... Sorry but I do not understand....

That's the answer. The pop up should be done as the shutter is beginning to open. If any light from it makes it to the image it will be negligible.

in theory it shouldn't, but in practice it does. From what I have experienced you need to be fairly close or shooting at a reflective surface to notice the built in flash.

edit: What I did was to make a little snoot(?) type thing that directed the light from the built-in flash away from the target. it worked great but I only have 1 flash...

Ahhh... I see so the pop up flash triggers right before the shutter opens for the slave to work? Alright thanks for the help guys. I was wondering why the pop up and the external flash both fired...