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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> External Flash Question
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 11/13/2007 03:10:12 PM · #1
Currently I have a Canon 350xt and hope to upgrade to the 40D one day. So the flash I purchase needs to be compatible with both cameras. I will be starting out with one flash but want to be able to use it on the camera or off the camera. I have been looking at the 580EX II Flash but what else would I need if I wanted to use it off camera with a umbrella to light the subject from another angle. Or will I have to have two separate flashes (master and another one as a slave) if I want to do that.

I̢۪m just now studding lighting and sorry for the stupid question but truly I don̢۪t know and don̢۪t want to purchase the wrong item(s) and need to keep the cost as low as possible.

Thank for any advice you may be able to offer.

Scott W.

Message edited by author 2007-11-13 15:10:42.
 11/13/2007 03:15:17 PM · #2
You will need the Canon STE-2 remote flash trigger or another 580ex to act as the master. For the money of the remote trigger you might as well buy another 580 or a 430ex and use that as the slave, jmo.

Message edited by author 2007-11-13 15:57:54.
 11/13/2007 03:18:20 PM · #3
Originally posted by trevytrev:
You will need the Canon STE-2 remote flash trigger or another 580ex to act as the master. For the money of the remote trigger you might as well buy another 580 or a 480ex and use that as the slave, jmo.

Thanks for your reply. One more question, If wanted three light sources (all flash) could I have 2 slave and 1 master flash?
Again thanks
SDW

Message edited by author 2007-11-13 15:18:44.
 11/13/2007 03:22:13 PM · #4
actually I think you can slave up to 3 580/430ex flashes with another 580 being the master or use canons flash trigger. Check this site out as I think it has lots of info on canon flash. Photonotes.org

edit for wrong flash: go with the 430 not the 480

Message edited by author 2007-11-13 15:52:57.
 11/13/2007 03:32:12 PM · #5
Get a 430 for your camera so you can use e-ttl if you want. For everything else, buy cheap flashes and pocket wizards for triggering.
 11/13/2007 03:42:14 PM · #6
Originally posted by routerguy666:
Get a 430 for your camera so you can use e-ttl if you want. For everything else, buy cheap flashes and pocket wizards for triggering.

Pocket Wizard for triggering? never heard of this before. So you feel the 580 EX II is not needed, the 430 would be good enough? And when you say cheap flashes what kind are you suggesting.

AGAIN - sorry for the stupid questions but I'm just know trying to learn about flash photography.
 11/13/2007 03:47:42 PM · #7
You should check out strobist.com, the guy has a good grocery list for getting the gear together to do what you want.
11/13/2007 03:56:45 PM · #8
If you are just learing about flash photography I would defintly suggest the photonotes.org and especially the strobist.com as they have a large amount of information. Photonotes will focus mostly on canon and their flashes. Strobist will show different setups for lighting and diffusing flash along with what gear to use. good luck!
 11/13/2007 04:04:18 PM · #9
Originally posted by trevytrev:
If you are just learing about flash photography I would defintly suggest the photonotes.org and especially the strobist.com as they have a large amount of information. Photonotes will focus mostly on canon and their flashes. Strobist will show different setups for lighting and diffusing flash along with what gear to use. good luck!

Thanks for the links. I will check them out.
 11/13/2007 05:49:22 PM · #10
Doesn't the 580EX II have a PC sync terminal? I thought I read somewhere that it had that. If so, you can control the flash off camera (not ETTL) with a PC sync cord. Other options are getting an optical slave (relatively cheap) and the before mentioned pocket wizards or ST-E2 (expensive). The Sigma EF500 EG Super (not ST) has also been known to be able to be used as a wireless master but I'm not sure about the reliability of that. That flash will run you about $200 and is a fantastic buy for the money. It also has a built in optical slave to boot.

Edit to add:
The 350D doesn't have a PC sync port but the 40D does. And I also use the Sigma Super flash with the optical slave function with my Rebel's on board flash and manage to get some pretty good results. Just have to use the onboard as a fill and the Sigma as the main by adjusting flash compensation.

Message edited by author 2007-11-13 17:51:10.
 11/13/2007 06:18:45 PM · #11
Originally posted by swhiddon:
And when you say cheap flashes what kind are you suggesting.


I use Sunpak 383s (and an older 333) exclusively. They don't have eTTL but do have Auto mode, where they meter through a sensor on the front of the flash. Each flash was about $80 from B&H. Using cheap wireless triggers (Cactus 4-channel V2), I can do pretty complex lighting set ups on the go. For the money, you can't beat the 383.

As routerguy pointed out, get acquainted with strobist.com, it's a great resource.
 11/13/2007 07:07:13 PM · #12
I was waiting for fotoman to post his flashes. See those cheap flashes + price of pocket wizard is still cheaper than buying canon flashes. I bought canon flashes and pw's, waste of $$$ (the flashes, not the pw's).
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