St-E2, 430ex, or Pocket Wizard? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/20/2007 08:31:34 PM · #1

I have the Canon 580ex and want to get the flash off camera like I've been reading on strobists. My initial thought was to get a second Canon flash, the 430ex, or the Canon transmitter and keep it simple 'cause I'm a bit slow getting my head around these things. Then I began to wonder, does the Canon transmitter transmit excusively to Canon flashes? Can Canon flashes trigger other brand name flashes? Would a pocket wizard be a better option?

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

04/20/2007 08:34:19 PM · #2

If the canon triggers another flash, it will be in manual mode (not eTTL). Not necessarily a bad thing, but it means you need to determine the exposure. The same will be true of firing the flash with a pocket wizard. That's exactly what we do with strobes all the time (calculate exposure with a light meter and fire with a pocket wizard or sync cord). But there are advantages to shooting eTTL as well. So just be aware of what you're giving up.

04/20/2007 09:02:45 PM · #3

Thanks, that'll help me plan what to get and in what order.

Prof_Fate

04/20/2007 09:31:51 PM · #4

I've been reading strobist as well - got the doohickey that lets me use an umbrella with a strobe...it really eats light BTW.

I believe the Sigma EF500DG super will work with the canon wireless sytem. One drawback to the 430 is it lacks a manual mode - full or 1/16 power and nuthing inbetween.

PW's are not cheap, but they are good. For a few bucks you can get a cord to go from teh PW to the camera and remotely trigger the camera! The cheap way it so get a cheap remote of ebay and splice the wire ($20 or so). The propper way is to get the thing off B&H for $80 - it will keep the camera awake if needed.

One of these is on my wish list...which just keeps getting bigger by the day!

04/20/2007 09:50:29 PM · #5

Ha! I know all about those lists....and I'm trying to get it in order.
Thanks for mentioning the sigma. Don't know if I'm up to cutting and splicing stuff. But hey, I'm willing to give things a go. The strobist site is so huge and trying to find info is at times like the proverbial needle in a haystack.

pineapple

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

04/20/2007 09:51:51 PM · #6

Pocket Wizard will require you to buy a cord from Paramount ($45.00) to attach to the 580EX version 1. 580EX version 2 just released has a PC socket so does not need the cord.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

04/20/2007 11:37:12 PM · #7

So a pocket wizard remote can trigger your camera (like a wired remote) and also trigger a flash off the hot shoe? That makes the price a little more worth it.

Will it work with a 420EX?

Spork99

OM System OM-1

04/20/2007 11:41:32 PM · #8

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

I believe the Sigma EF500DG super will work with the canon wireless sytem. One drawback to the 430 is it lacks a manual mode - full or 1/16 power and nuthing inbetween.

Yes, the Sigma flash will work with Canon Flashes.

You're wrong about the 430EX, it has full manual control, from full power all the way down to 1/64power in one stop increments.

Message edited by author 2007-04-20 23:43:54.

Valdo

Canon EOS-40D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

04/21/2007 12:19:29 AM · #9

Have you seen these?? some good comments on strobist.

Linky

ETA: Apparently they improved communication with the 580ex and 430ex.

Has anyone used those?

Message edited by author 2007-04-21 00:20:48.

04/21/2007 01:39:02 AM · #10

Thanks for the link Valdo. Price is right.
This model is "more reliable" what does that mean? Off to strobist to read about this one I think.

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

04/21/2007 01:41:28 AM · #11

Don't forget that, if you're using an ST-E2 outdoors, you will most likely need to set up the flash in near line-of-sight with the controller, as the controller's output is quite limited and there are, normally, no walls or ceilings for the light to bounce from. In this instance, you might get easier, more reliable, slave flash control using a 580.

Ubersteiny

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM for Canon

04/21/2007 02:20:34 AM · #12

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

i own a 430EX and i does have full manual :P

and id definitly get PW's, out in dyalight the st-e2 id say could be away from the flash 10ft max, the PW's are so much more efficient

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

04/21/2007 03:10:06 AM · #13

Originally posted by noisemaker:

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
I've been reading strobist as well - got the doohickey that lets me use an umbrella with a strobe...it really eats light BTW.

I believe the Sigma EF500DG super will work with the canon wireless sytem. One drawback to the 430 is it lacks a manual mode - full or 1/16 power and nuthing inbetween.

PW's are not cheap, but they are good. For a few bucks you can get a cord to go from teh PW to the camera and remotely trigger the camera! The cheap way it so get a cheap remote of ebay and splice the wire ($20 or so). The propper way is to get the thing off B&H for $80 - it will keep the camera awake if needed.

One of these is on my wish list...which just keeps getting bigger by the day!

i own a 430EX and i does have full manual :P

and id definitly get PW's, out in dyalight the st-e2 id say could be away from the flash 10ft max, the PW's are so much more efficient

The unfortunate down side of that is that one gives up eTTL control. If one really sees that as a down side, that is.

Ubersteiny

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM for Canon

04/21/2007 11:16:04 AM · #14

Originally posted by Mr_Pants:

Originally posted by noisemaker:

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
I've been reading strobist as well - got the doohickey that lets me use an umbrella with a strobe...it really eats light BTW.

I believe the Sigma EF500DG super will work with the canon wireless sytem. One drawback to the 430 is it lacks a manual mode - full or 1/16 power and nuthing inbetween.

PW's are not cheap, but they are good. For a few bucks you can get a cord to go from teh PW to the camera and remotely trigger the camera! The cheap way it so get a cheap remote of ebay and splice the wire ($20 or so). The propper way is to get the thing off B&H for $80 - it will keep the camera awake if needed.

One of these is on my wish list...which just keeps getting bigger by the day!

i own a 430EX and i does have full manual :P

and id definitly get PW's, out in dyalight the st-e2 id say could be away from the flash 10ft max, the PW's are so much more efficient

The unfortunate down side of that is that one gives up eTTL control. If one really sees that as a down side, that is.

Yeah but i'd rahter have more efficiency and range with my flashes than worrying that i cant shoot auto with them, like you dont even need a line of sight, you can do it over walls and stuff like that.

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

04/21/2007 04:44:22 PM · #15

Originally posted by noisemaker:

Originally posted by Mr_Pants:

Originally posted by noisemaker:

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
I've been reading strobist as well - got the doohickey that lets me use an umbrella with a strobe...it really eats light BTW.

I believe the Sigma EF500DG super will work with the canon wireless sytem. One drawback to the 430 is it lacks a manual mode - full or 1/16 power and nuthing inbetween.

PW's are not cheap, but they are good. For a few bucks you can get a cord to go from teh PW to the camera and remotely trigger the camera! The cheap way it so get a cheap remote of ebay and splice the wire ($20 or so). The propper way is to get the thing off B&H for $80 - it will keep the camera awake if needed.

One of these is on my wish list...which just keeps getting bigger by the day!

i own a 430EX and i does have full manual :P

and id definitly get PW's, out in dyalight the st-e2 id say could be away from the flash 10ft max, the PW's are so much more efficient

The unfortunate down side of that is that one gives up eTTL control. If one really sees that as a down side, that is.

Yeah but i'd rahter have more efficiency and range with my flashes than worrying that i cant shoot auto with them, like you dont even need a line of sight, you can do it over walls and stuff like that.

Absolutely. It all depends upon one's priorities and the situation at hand.

Sorry, that sounds a bit trite.

Each method can have its own advantages in certain situations. In this vein, the 580EX II looks to be good, as it appears to have a sensor for an 'automatic' mode for non-TTL metering. I imagine that it could be used in conjunction with an ST-E2 for eTTL and with a pocket wizard (or suchlike) using its automatic sensor. Oh dear, looks like the credit card is going to take another hit soon.

Ubersteiny