To use this flash off of the hot-shoe, you need to use a cord or a Canon ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter. Otherwise, you have to use it on the top of the camera. The Canon 600D (t3i) is the first to introduce the wireless flash control right on camera.
Other option is to buy a radio transmitter (which is a better solution than the canon's) and it enables you to fire flash from a great distance.
@gabrielklee I guess it depends on if you want to fire it off camera.....
Like @gabrielklee said you can get an ETTL cord (make sure it is an ETTL as not all cords are) and you can fire it that way. I have a ST-E2 but I would invest in a 580 EXIi before that, as the 580 can be a master ans slave. It also means you can control the slave right off you camera not some thing you can really do with the ST-E2. The same is said for most cheap transmitters, you can fire the flsh you just can not control it.
@agima by the way, i am delving into the realms of flash photography recently. I bought a 580 EX II a week ago, did you know that? I am just too excited to try new things at the moment!
@agima i have a Canon t3i, i can use the pop-up flash as a master unit. But what i dislike it being unable to place the flash behind a person, to light her from behind, hidden from the camera. It misfires. The only solution i find is with radio transmitters (which are expensive and i don't have yet).
@jenp i am new to this but thanks! i've been busy these days learning these things, studying a lot. I have watched several videos on the topic and read a book or two on this topic also.
Another good advice (i believe i got somewhere on the forum here from @jinximages) is to go after Zack Aria's OneLight Workshop. It explains a HUGE lot about the usage of flash covering theory and practice with real jobs in the field. Also anything Joe McNally and Dave Hobby do. They all use nikon, not our case here but it isn't about the brand, it's about lighting. Buy McNally's book about flash photography: "Hot-shoe diaries". It's freaking brilliant.
totally agree with what everyone's saying about when you'd want to use off camera flash - for the time being maybe you can just try bouncing if off the ceiling / wall / anything... however I think that the Canon ST-E2 is crazy for what most of us amateurs would need.
@toast Yes having cords around is a pain however the control you get is fantastic. As mentioned the cheap triggers don't allow for the control over the remote flashes as you would want.
The best of both world is you can control our groups of lights from the camera but these triggered are not cheap but well worth the money if yo do this a bit. @gabrielklee@jenp
@agima agree about the control... I guess it doesnt really bother me too much since i havent really done alot of speedlight flash off camera or if i do, I meter and adjust and re-meter if i move the model or flash :)
I have had a very frustrating day trying to use youngnuo radio triggers with the high speed sync of my 430ex and basically they don't work (either in ETTL mode or M mode) They are great for anything up to the cameras sync speed but after that they don't seem to talk to the camera/flash so I can't get a higher shutter speed. I have tried the lead that came with them but that is no good either. Does anyone know if the dedicated ETTL cord that has been mentioned here would work with them or is it a case of biting the bullet and paying out for the real triggers if I want to get high shutter speeds . Sorry to hijack your topic @kaseycarroll but thought my comments might help you or others (and I know some people getting very annoyed if you start a new topic that is already covered !!)
Write a Reply
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
Other option is to buy a radio transmitter (which is a better solution than the canon's) and it enables you to fire flash from a great distance.
Like @gabrielklee said you can get an ETTL cord (make sure it is an ETTL as not all cords are) and you can fire it that way. I have a ST-E2 but I would invest in a 580 EXIi before that, as the 580 can be a master ans slave. It also means you can control the slave right off you camera not some thing you can really do with the ST-E2. The same is said for most cheap transmitters, you can fire the flsh you just can not control it.
@kaseycarroll search for the PDF this blog has. It basically has 400 pages about canon flash units. Its unbeliavebly good. http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/
@jenp You are too kind.
@jenp i am new to this but thanks! i've been busy these days learning these things, studying a lot. I have watched several videos on the topic and read a book or two on this topic also.
Another good advice (i believe i got somewhere on the forum here from @jinximages) is to go after Zack Aria's OneLight Workshop. It explains a HUGE lot about the usage of flash covering theory and practice with real jobs in the field. Also anything Joe McNally and Dave Hobby do. They all use nikon, not our case here but it isn't about the brand, it's about lighting. Buy McNally's book about flash photography: "Hot-shoe diaries". It's freaking brilliant.
Ive got a pair of radio triggers which do the trick nicely. Put the transmitter on your camera hotshoe, the receiver at the bottom of the camera. Personally I think forget the cable as it just leads to potential danger of tripping etc http://www.amazon.co.uk/Channel-Wireless-Flashgun-Speedlight-receivers/dp/B002RD9GNA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1329992986&sr=8-4
I'd then team this up with a stand : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Photography-Light-professional-studio-photolamps/dp/B0011363NS/ref=pd_bxgy_ce_img_b
And either a holder + umbrella http://www.amazon.co.uk/Interfit-STR117-Umbrella-Hotshoe-Adapter/dp/B002WGJFLK/ref=pd_bxgy_ce_img_c http://www.amazon.co.uk/Umbrella-Professional-Photographic-Translucent-reflector/dp/B001UAVE68/ref=pd_bxgy_ce_img_c
Or my current favourite a collapsible softbox - comes complete with the holder which attaches directly to the stand http://www.bessel.co.uk/info/Speedlite%20Softbox.html
The last option is the setup that i've used in a few of my 365 images... this one is the most recent http://365project.org/toast/365/2012-01-10
The best of both world is you can control our groups of lights from the camera but these triggered are not cheap but well worth the money if yo do this a bit. @gabrielklee @jenp
shiiiiiiitttttt!!!!!!