IR Panel to block Pop-Up flash and fire off-camera

07/21/2009 10:05:42 AM · #1

I've given up on my cheap Cactus remotes to fire my off camera flashes. (and the Canon brand just seems like highway robbery to me)

I've discovered it's easier to mold a piece of tinfoil around my pop-up flash and direct its light to one of my flashes to trigger it. Totally reliable at 1/250sec, as compared to the hit & miss cactus trigger even at 1/100sec. But the tinfoil method might be awkward for hand-held use.

I used the tinfoil method for these water drop shots.

I found something called an "IR Panel", about $12 for some Nikon models, which is just a plastic doodad that mounts into the hot shoe and hangs a panel in front of the popped up flash and allows only the IR light through to trigger flashes.

Does anybody know if there's something similar I can do with my 40D?

I'd like to find an IR ping-pong ball to jam over my pop-up. I think that would be more elegant than hanging a little flappy panel in front.

Message edited by author 2009-07-21 10:13:17.

AJSullivan

07/21/2009 10:23:00 AM · #2

The 40d doesn't have the option to only fire the pre-flash? I know my nikon does.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

07/21/2009 11:19:12 AM · #3

Originally posted by ajdelaware:

The 40d doesn't have the option to only fire the pre-flash? I know my nikon does.

I don't even know what the heck that is. A pre-focusing blast of IR?... as comes out of my external flashes when I have one mounted? My pop-up seems to strobe white light to pre-focus if needed.

ben4345

Nikon D700

07/21/2009 11:30:03 AM · #4

The panel you are looking at are for Nikon's CLS. when using CLS for close ups or wide apertures with the pop up flash sometimes creates a catch or glare even when set to master only.
That same device MIGHT work for you, but shouldn't you try sync cords first?

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

07/21/2009 04:27:09 PM · #5

Originally posted by ben4345:

Wires tether my spirits. By that, I mean my whiskey snifter is too likely to get spilled with wires. But actually, I really prefer less wires.

ben4345

Nikon D700

07/22/2009 05:11:03 PM · #6

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Originally posted by ben4345:
The panel you are looking at are for Nikon's CLS. when using CLS for close ups or wide apertures with the pop up flash sometimes creates a catch or glare even when set to master only.
That same device MIGHT work for you, but shouldn't you try sync cords first?

Wires tether my spirits. By that, I mean my whiskey snifter is too likely to get spilled with wires. But actually, I really prefer less wires.

we'll, sorry to say then, all I know of for canon users is either pocket wizards or radio poppers.
You can also use a 580 ex2 as a master (or in canons terms "pilot"), and use a another for a slave.