Help a noob with his lighting.....

Hey everyone a little bit undecided here and would appreciate your input.

I currently have a 430 ex ii. I would like to try out having 2 flash. Heres what im comsidering;

1. Get 580 ex ii. I will pretty much have the 580 mounted and control my 430 from a distance. I will also use the 580 as a walk around flash (for fill flash and what not) and just leave the 430 at home.

2 get another 430 and a st-e2. Mount the st-e2 during indoor and have 2 flash thats off camera. Will use the 430 as a walk around flash as i do now.

I kina like the idea of #2 but also wanted the 580 as a walk around flash coz it just better, maybe. Thoughts please. Thanks a bunch guys and gals.

Oh also i wanna ask if i go with either option, would this work as wireless ettl? Dont know much about ocf. Pls educate me.

Here is a third idea ...
Get a monopod studio set like Bowens or ProFoto.
580 and 430 is not the way of good lighting and ample power.

EL_PIC wrote in post #11034199
Here is a third idea ...
Get a monopod studio set like Bowens or ProFoto.
580 and 430 is not the way of good lighting and ample power.

I know but this will mostly used just taking pics inside the house for family. Non pro here. I dont think il ever get paid, unless its from the wife. Lol. Just trying to keep it simple as much as possible with the option of being versatile as far as taking it with me during family outing.

Your 580EX on camera (what camera body are you using?) will control the 430EX off camera quite nicely, in full ETTL mode. While the ETTL system has difficulties outside in bright light, it works quite well indoors.

The 580EX will work better than the ST-E2 (more power, more distance) at the expense of more bulk/weight on the camera.

The 580EX or the 430EX make terrific general purpose, on-camera flash units.

Titus213 wrote in post #11034865
Your 580EX on camera (what camera body are you using?) will control the 430EX off camera quite nicely, in full ETTL mode. While the ETTL system has difficulties outside in bright light, it works quite well indoors.

The 580EX will work better than the ST-E2 (more power, more distance) at the expense of more bulk/weight on the camera.

The 580EX or the 430EX make terrific general purpose, on-camera flash units.

I will be using a t2i. So a 580 & 430 combo is better than st-e2 & 2x 430? How so, can u elaborate more? I had always assume that 2 ocf is better than 1 ocf & 1 mounted. Thanks in advance for educating me.

You are going about this a very expensive way. Ettl is great on camera but you'll get into manual anyway so don't bother with ettl.

A 580 +430 + ste2 will cost about a grand.

Keep the 430 for on camera. Buy a yn flash for $60 and some eBay triggers/receivers. All for $100.

Or buy some genesis lights. 2 light kit for the price of a 580 and itcomes with stands and umbrellas. Then get some eBay triggers etc.

IR is unreliable and maintaining ettl is way more expensive than manual.

CosmoKid wrote in post #11037836
You are going about this a very expensive way. Ettl is great on camera but you'll get into manual anyway so don't bother with ettl.

A 580 +430 + ste2 will cost about a grand.

Keep the 430 for on camera. Buy a yn flash for $60 and some eBay triggers/receivers. All for $100.

Or buy some genesis lights. 2 light kit for the price of a 580 and itcomes with stands and umbrellas. Then get some eBay triggers etc.

IR is unreliable and maintaining ettl is way more expensive than manual.

I already have the 430 ex. I know its a bit expensive but im not really experienced with manual flash. Thats why i was thinking buy an additonal 580 or buy another 430+st e2. Im thing probably somewhere around $500. Plus umbrellas and stuff seems like its harder to setup for a simple ocf setup for taking pics of my wife and kid.

Dump ETTL, buy a couple of YN flashes and radio triggers like the rf-602. For the cost of one 430ex or st-e2 you could outift yourself with a 2 or 3 light kit.

musashi.t2i wrote in post #11037887
I already have the 430 ex. I know its a bit expensive but im not really experienced with manual flash. Thats why i was thinking buy an additonal 580 or buy another 430+st e2. Im thing probably somewhere around $500. Plus umbrellas and stuff seems like its harder to setup for a simple ocf setup for taking pics of my wife and kid.

Manual flash is probably as easy or easier than ettl for multi light setups (honestly it is, just takes a couple times practicing). And if you are going to be using multiple lights you need umbrellas and stuff because moving lights off of the camera is less than half of the goal. Improving the light is the more important part.

gonzogolf wrote in post #11037909
Manual flash is probably as easy or easier than ettl for multi light setups (honestly it is, just takes a couple times practicing). And if you are going to be using multiple lights you need umbrellas and stuff because moving lights off of the camera is less than half of the goal. Improving the light is the more important part.

Hmm... Interesting... Coz i was thinking like mount the 580 on camera then just put the 430 in its stand and put it in side table or something then just bounce both flash. It doesnt work that way?

musashi.t2i wrote in post #11038187
Hmm... Interesting... Coz i was thinking like mount the 580 on camera then just put the 430 in its stand and put it in side table or something then just bounce both flash. It doesnt work that way?

Bouncing two lights isnt a lot better than bouncing one. If you are going to the bother of off camera lighting you probably want stands and umbrella. Its not that complicated or expensive and gives you much more control over your light. What you propose to do will give you very flat and unimpressive lighting. Its okay, but with just a little bit of extra effort you could have a very nice off camera setup. Browse this thread and find some inspiration.

https://photography-on-the.net …ead.php?t=65396​4&page=389

gonzogolf wrote in post #11038219
Bouncing two lights isnt a lot better than bouncing one. If you are going to the bother of off camera lighting you probably want stands and umbrella. Its not that complicated or expensive and gives you much more control over your light. What you propose to do will give you very flat and unimpressive lighting. Its okay, but with just a little bit of extra effort you could have a very nice off camera setup. Browse this thread and find some inspiration.

https://photography-on-the.net …ead.php?t=65396​4&page=389

Thanks! Will look into it. Im browsing the link now.

One last question, in my case where my son will not stay still, what would be my best approach? Coz it seems like i need to move the lightning everytime just to get a better shot.

musashi.t2i wrote in post #11038362
One last question, in my case where my son will not stay still, what would be my best approach? Coz it seems like i need to move the lightning everytime just to get a better shot.

Thats the one time where bouncing a lot of light off of the ceiliing can help as essentially you turn the entire room into a bounce surface.