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08/11/2007 09:48:52 AM · #1 |
I'm starting to look at external flashes, and doing cool off-camera stuff. What should I get?
I've been reading strobist, and seeing some of the cool things that are possible with off-camera strobes, multi-strobes, and gels. I did a bit of mucking around trying to bounce and diffuse the on-board flash on my camera, but it all ended up in the realm of too much mucking around to be worthwhile.
So, starting to think about expanding my kit. Am I better off to...
1) Get a 550/580 as a first step, then slowly progress to collecting one or two 430s as off camera slaves? Maybe buy an ebay trigger as well, and start working with one really good flash, and the off-camera option? Is it a waste to get a good flash if I'm just going to trigger it off-camera in non-TTL manual mode? Even once I have some extra slaves, will I end up using it all in manual mode anyway, making the master slave no more functional than an ebay trigger? (and a lot more expensive)
2) Buy a couple of ebay triggers with hot-shoe fittings, and a swag of the cheapest oldest flashes I can find? (I don't know much about older flashes, whether most of them offer easy manual control the flash output.)
3) Is there a reasonable optical slave solution, where the on-board flash can be the trigger. I don't know if there's a way to turn off the TTL preflash to allow this to work without ebay triggers.
Whatever route I go, I am looking at 2nd hand gear, to justify the price. An ST/E2 is probably not worth it, as there aren't a lot of these around 2nd hand, and for the new price, I'm probably better off spending the money elsewhere.
For the ease of use, and having TTL, the full canon setup seems to give the most power and flexibility, however, at a higher cost. Also, I'm not sure how often it would be used on TTL, as the strobist people seem to use everything exclusively on full manual anyway.
Thoughts anyone?
Message edited by author 2007-08-11 09:50:45. |
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08/11/2007 09:54:17 AM · #2 |
Originally posted by surfdabbler:
Is it a waste to get a good flash if I'm just going to trigger it off-camera in non-TTL manual mode? |
To me? Yes, why spend a lot more money on a feature you wont even be using?
Originally posted by surfdabbler:
2) Buy a couple of ebay triggers with hot-shoe fittings, and a swag of the cheapest oldest flashes I can find? (I don't know much about older flashes, whether most of them offer easy manual control the flash output.) |
You're on the right track. If you're just beginning to mess around with off camera flashes, I'd recommend the ebay triggers, however you may find yourself wanting some higher-end, more reliable triggers (Pocket Wizards, Skyports) if paid work with the flashes ever comes your way. As far as flashes go, I'd recommend either some vivitar 285's or if you have more room in your bag, the Sunpak 555. Both can be had relatively cheap on ebay.
Originally posted by surfdabbler:
3) Is there a reasonable optical slave solution, where the on-board flash can be the trigger. I don't know if there's a way to turn off the TTL preflash to allow this to work without ebay triggers. |
Its a PITA and not worth it.
I'll also throw this in, if save a bunch of money and go with the manual route, pick up a cheap-ish light meter for about 100 bucks. It's a great investment.
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08/11/2007 10:32:14 AM · #3 |
Originally posted by surfdabbler:
3) Is there a reasonable optical slave solution, where the on-board flash can be the trigger. I don't know if there's a way to turn off the TTL preflash to allow this to work without ebay triggers. |
I have a basic optical slave, it works ok indoors but not very well outdoors. I sometimes have issues with it misfiring and the sensor needs to see the light from the triggering flash. Radio triggers are a much better option if you can swing it.
Originally posted by surfdabbler:
Is it a waste to get a good flash if I'm just going to trigger it off-camera in non-TTL manual mode? |
For the price of a single 580 you can get a bunch of cheaper manual flashes. I might be useful having one TTL flash so that you can use it on camera if the situation arises. |
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08/11/2007 10:32:16 AM · #4 |
I opted for a 580EX (version 1) and a couple of cheap(ish) Nikon strobes (with flee-bay triggers). It's sometimes useful to have something you can stick on the camera in TTL (or E-TTL if you prefer).
It's far better value to go the strobist way but just sometimes :-) The 430 or Sigma 500 would be equally as good unless you need the extra power & features of the 580. Now, I would go for the 430 rather then the 580-II given the price gap.
Edit: Careful if you want to mix the fleebay radio triggers & a 580 or 430EX.... There is an updated ebay trigger to deal with the constant misfire issues on these 2 canon strobes & they are not compat with the v1 ebay trigs.
Message edited by author 2007-08-11 10:36:08.
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08/12/2007 08:42:32 PM · #5 |
Thanks for all the advice. I took the plunge, and bought a second hand 550EX, and an ebay trigger. Thanks for the tip on the V2,  robs! Now I just have to wait a week to get them, and another 2 weeks to my birthday before I'm allowed to use them. :)
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08/12/2007 09:51:10 PM · #6 |
This is one case where you could do the ultimate blasphemy: Nikon speed lights with Canon cameras. If you're going the off camera, all manual, route it's the best way to go. Course you've already gone the Canon route. You'd best stick to it. I've heard several cases where Canon camera owners tried the Nikon flashes and switched everything over to Nikon!
Anyway Here
are 3 of mine firing away.
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08/12/2007 10:01:20 PM · #7 |
I've pretty much quit using TTL flash.
//leroydickson.blogspot.com/2007/08/sunpak-333-wireless-setup.html
This little baby gives me lots of options. You can get the newer Sunpak 383 also. It's like $79.
Keep an eye out for Nikon 24, 25 and 28 flashes also. Ofcourse they generally are as expensive or more expensive than the Sunpak 383. Also, the Sunpak 433 is like $89 and will give you TTL if you want it.
Strobist in a box
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