Trigger for off camera flash.

**Mick** · 07-05-2009, 8:26pm

Cheers Ehor. I am new to it but have been using some home made lighting ie work lamps on stands. I've had one stand with 4 lamps on it (very bloody hot and not half as bright as I'd hoped for) and one lamp on the other stand. Its been fun and I've got some reasonable results. I'm just looking at taking the next step. I'm right in to fairly heavy PP right now and with the extra off camera stuff, I'm hoping to get results in sort of the Dave Hill kinda area. I know, I know, I'd have a long long way to go before even coming close to that sort of look but I'm taking the first steps none the less.

Mick.

**imagemelbourne** · 20-05-2009, 7:06pm

Please refer to the site rules regarding commercial advertising on this forum.

**lloydy** · 26-05-2009, 12:10am

Mick,

found this on Flickr that you might find interesting

http://www.flickr.com/groups/canonwi...57616815436310

Pete

**etherial** · 12-12-2009, 5:51pm

Hi guys, thought I would revive this thread as I basically have the same question. I have a 450D and a 580EX II and I want to get it off camera. I want to maintain the ability to do ETTL so I guess that rules out the cheapies. I don't think a cord would be very flexible (

) so that is out too.
I think this brings me to two options, the Canon ST-E2 trigger or the pocket wizards which seem very expensive. What is wrong with the ST-E2, I hear it is good only for line of sight, can it be beside the camera or does it need to be in front? I'm unsure which way to go with this.

Mick, what did you end up with? How have you found it practically?

**MarkChap** · 12-12-2009, 7:05pm

Mic,
If you want to maintain E-TTL you will have a few choices
1 Second 580 EXII used on camera as a master (or on the OC-E3 off camera cord)
2 ST-E2 as master on camera or on an off camera cord.
You do need line of sight for these 2 options, particularly outside which is highly problematic with the Canon system
3 Pocket Wizards - the new E-TTL version, very expensive, have not researched much about their reliablility
3 There is a cheaper chinese E-TTL trigger coming on the market in the next few months http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/12...tl-remote.html

**Brodie** · 14-12-2009, 4:31pm

If you are serious about flash, you shouldnt be looking at anything but Pocket wizards. Dont be afraid to go manual with your flashes, its not hard at all and you have more control.

I get away with just using the STE2 or a 580EX in the hot shoe most of the time. Even in sunlight (Tip: block the slave light sensor from any sunlight to help it fire). Remember, you can set the 580 not to fire when its in the hot shoe as well.

If I ever need to shoot something big like a couple aeroplanes, or im shooting around corners or from a large distant, I dont trust anything but pocket wizards. You can get a set of them(x2) now for $450AUD.

If you cant afford them yet, then become an expert at using what you do have available. Its a far better learning experience. Remember you dont have to go wireless, buy some cables, use reflectors, use available light.

have fun!

**etherial** · 14-12-2009, 7:30pm

Hi guys, thanks for your replies. So what is the problem with the STE2, is it infrared like a tv remote and hence requires line of sight? And I'm guessing that inside it can bounce of walls (like some powerful tv remotes)? Does it work from directly beside the camera, ie say 3-5 metres sideways?

At this stage I'm only thinking short distances for portraits etc. I'm considering the 7D for my next camera which has the wireless trigger, but if this suffers the same sort of 'line of sight' issues, maybe I'm better of saving for some pocket wizards. (too many things on the wish list at the moment!)

Cheers,
Mic

**coolie21** · 14-12-2009, 8:54pm

Have you read this tutorial?

http://super.nova.org/DPR/Canon/

You can do a lot with one flash on cord as fill, the off camera flash as key

Last line: (Quote) What you'll use the ST-E2 for? A paper weight.

**Xenedis** · 14-12-2009, 10:31pm

I personally use PocketWizard PLUS IIs.

These use radio frequency, are well-built and are very reliable, with range up to 1,600ft.

However, they're not for the budget-minded, costing $350-400 each. You need at least two (one for the camera, and one for the flash, plus one each for however many other flashes you wish to fire).

These are transceivers, so unlike other RF triggers, you don't need a transmitter and a receiver, as PW does both.

These have four channels, and can be configured as Tx, Rx or both.

The Gadget Infinity Cactus triggers (otherwise known as eBay triggers) are much cheaper (by all definitions of the word) and are far more approachable for someone who cannot or will not spend a lot of money. This system uses a separate Tx and Rx unit.

**oldfart** · 14-12-2009, 11:24pm

http://www.elinchrom.com/products.php?cat=5

I just replaced my cactus triggers with Skyports

I'm very pleased so far.

**cookey** · 15-12-2009, 3:06am

I use cybersyncs & never had a misfire.I purchased them from the sttes but they now have a supplier in Australia.
From memory the transmittor was about $60 & the recievers for each flash was about $55,

Highly recommended for the price.

http://www.alienbees.com/cybersync.html

**EGG80X** · 21-12-2009, 1:33am

Read up on the alienbees cybersync
Works a treat without breaking the piggy bank.
Fits between a cactus and pocket wizard

I used to use the cactus v2s with antenna and batteries mods, the alienbees just craps all over them. Alienbees do have verynice strobes too.

Check them out at alienbees.com
I think now is an Aussie distributer..... because the US stop shipping to Australia now

**AdamR** · 21-12-2009, 10:20am

I have skyports too. I have had good results with them. Though I am thinking about re-evaluating my situation as for what I shoot off camera is hard by myself. Im thinking of just using two flashes and having them as master and slave and making a frame to hold them both.

But long story short skyports are fine.

**para** · 21-12-2009, 10:41am

Originally Posted by oldfart

http://www.elinchrom.com/products.php?cat=5

I just replaced my cactus triggers with Skyports

I'm very pleased so far.

skyports here too

**ehor** · 21-12-2009, 4:57pm

YongNuo RF602's here

$122 delivered for 1 x trigger, 4 x receiver is pretty good value IMO.
Just as reliable as pocketwizards but without the range.

**Mick** · 30-12-2009, 2:50pm

Whoa, thats that then!! I'll be ordering these babies in the next few weeks. Have been meaning to ask you about them Ed.

Mick.

**ehor** · 30-12-2009, 6:32pm

Originally Posted by Mick

Whoa, thats that then!! I'll be ordering these babies in the next few weeks. Have been meaning to ask you about them Ed.

Mick.

Enjoy

They don't support TTL but they will wakeup some flashes.

**MrJorge** · 07-01-2010, 6:36pm

Everytime I see someone talking about the Yongnuos I see eBay links. Is that the best way to source them? Do any shops in Aus stock them? Or do they have their own website?

**coolie21** · 07-01-2010, 7:18pm

Originally Posted by ehor

YongNuo RF602's here

$122 delivered for 1 x trigger, 4 x receiver is pretty good value IMO.
Just as reliable as pocketwizards but without the range.

There is the temptation to get two triggers - that way you can operate the camera remotely (trigger in hand, receiver in camera pc socket) AND fire the flash (trigger on hotshoe)
I'm tempted anyway....

**I @ M** · 07-01-2010, 7:34pm

Originally Posted by MrJorge

Do any shops in Aus stock them? Or do they have their own website?

I haven't seen any reference to them on anything but e$ay Michael.
they seem to be stocked by a few places and come as either clamshell packed kits or bits and pieces loose in plastic bags.

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