flash trigger quandary

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joescrivens

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I have a 430 ex II.

Some time next year I'll get a 580 ex II also which I know can be used as a master for the 430 to be wireless with ETTL.

In the mean time what can I get that doesn't cost the world to trigger the 430 ex II wirelessly with ETTL that will also be compatible with the 530ex II when I get that so they can both be wireless ETTL?

does a third party make exist that will do this without costing a lot or will I need to buy pocket wizards?
 
For ETTL the cheapest method is a cord, next is a ST-E2 and after that you have Pocketwizards or similar.

Manual it's RF 602's
 
As above.

There's a new Yongnuo ST-E2 clone which should be available about now. It appears to be significantly better than the Canon jobbie (which is long overdue for an overhaul) in several ways, and could be under £100. I think that's worth a punt, if you can get one - google. Then you needn't get a 580, and save quite a bit on another 430.

E-TTL via radio is very expensive, but manual-only radio triggers are good and cheap. You should probably get a set anyway, always handy - Yongnuo RF-602 set, thirty quid off Amazon. I love E-TTL, but usually when you're setting up remote guns etc, a couple of seconds more to test and set the power manually is neither here nor there. Some folks prefer it.
 
Richard, How many flashes could the ST-E2 clone control? Why do people pay the money for pocket wizards if the origonal ST-E2 controls flashes whilst keeping ETTL control?
 
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scottduffy said:
Richard, How many flashes could the ST-E2 clone control? Why do peope pay the money for pocket wizards if the origonal ST-E2 controls flashes whilst keeping ETTL control?
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The simple answer is "range" - 30-40 ft for the ST-E2, 800ft + for the PWs....
 
2 Groups of flashes, so as long as the flashes are grouped it shouldn't be a problem, and the issue is range and bright light outside
 
Thanks for clearing that up guys. 30-40 feet would be fine for most things i would imagine.
 
scottduffy said:
Richard, How many flashes could the ST-E2 clone control? Why do peope pay the money for pocket wizards if the origonal ST-E2 controls flashes whilst keeping ETTL control?
Click to expand...

Three groups for the Yongnuo version (I think) and as many guns as you like in each group. Potentially hundreds.

The main advantage of radio is range (though there are others, and PW has some cool extra tricks). The on-board E-TTL system is optical and works fine indoors, but can't see round corners - really needs direct line of sight - and the signal gets washed out in bright sun.

The advantage of optical is it's cheap, and gets around all the tricky international RF regs. What we really want is Canon/Nikon to do it properly and have on-board radio E-TTL.

I'm sure it will happen, but it won't be cheap and probably not soon. I have a small bet with myself that Nikon will buy PW's patents, which would give them a huge USP and stuff Canon at the same time :eek:

Edit: Oops - crossed post with everybody else ;)
 
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scottduffy said:
Thanks for clearing that up guys. 30-40 feet would be fine for most things i would imagine.
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As Richard says, it's 30-40ft line of sight, plus factor in a bit sunlight and that will drop, significantly. It's really best kept for indoors or use in shaded areas.
 
thanks all, sounds like maybe i should go for manual then actually for now since the amount i'll be using it wont be worth shelling out for the ettl versions. i can use manual until i get the 580 and then if i want ettl can use that as the master.

i want the 580 anyway do to the extra power
 
Flash In The Pan said:
The simple answer is "range" - 30-40 ft for the ST-E2, 800ft + for the PWs....
Click to expand...

Not with my pw's and the 580EXII! it isn't ... More like 100-150ft. Not a problem for me tbh although I have heard it's achievable with the 430EX?
 
joescrivens said:
thanks all, sounds like maybe i should go for manual then actually for now since the amount i'll be using it wont be worth shelling out for the ettl versions. i can use manual until i get the 580 and then if i want ettl can use that as the master.
Click to expand...

Even when you have the 580, you'll be wanting to have it off-camera a lot of times.. so manual is good to learn anyway and a ST-E2 or YN clone might come in handy for e-ttl :)

Also note that the ST-E2 has a focus assist light which will allow the 5D to focus much better in low light. I'm waiting for the YN reviews myself..
 
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