getting my 430exii flash off of my 5dii.. options?

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tikigod19

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hi all,

I'm new to the world of off camera flash, in fact other than a cheap studio flash head kit I've never done it.

I like the idea of being able to use E-TTL on my speedlite when it is off of my 5d mkii using for example pocket wizard.

I notice they are about £500 (unless I was looking at the wrong thing) so wondered if there is a cheaper option.

Is pocket wizard the only option for a wireless trigger and receiver that carries TTL information?

If I were to use a long cable just to get used to off camera flash then would that carry TTL infomation also?

I only have 1 speedlite at the moment but in the future I may use more.

Any advice you have would be much appreciated.
 
The Canon ST-E2 (or Yongnuo clone) is probably your best option where ETTL is preferred.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Speed...4G95/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319815823&sr=8-1

These work using light pulses rather than radio and consequently have issues in bright (sun) light, arguably need line of sight in typical use, nor do they have the same working distances as radio.

You could also buy another 580ex or flash than can act as a master controller. This was the option I chose as it was £100 to add a second 580exII or buy a ST-E2. I would rather have a 2nd flash with built in controller, than a flash controller for the £100 difference.

You can use a cable to carry ETTL but for me it kinda got in the way and I was more worried about it being a trip hazard pulling down an expensive flashgun so I stopped using it quite early on.

You can get cheaper options as mentioned by Steven but these don't carry ETTL or in other words are strictly manual.
 
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thanks guys. Wouldn't I still need a receiver on the flash if I bought the ST-E2 transmitter?
 
tikigod19 said:
thanks guys. Wouldn't I still need a receiver on the flash if I bought the ST-E2 transmitter?
Click to expand...

No, the 420 will work off the ST-E2 as a direct slave via pre-flash/infrared, with no need for a receiver.

ST-E2 is the "cheep" way to go for ETTL on a 5d.
 
I find the infra-red way of using ETTL a bit hit and miss outside, so it's something to bear in mind. I often feel I have to resort to manual radio triggers to get a reliable trigger outside. An off camera cord is worth the money (about £30) to practise things. I forget who made mine but you can get long ones unlike the canon one which is too short for me.
 
yeah ive bought a cheap 10m cord to practise things with but I'm not sure where to go should I want wireless after that.

It seems the pocket wizards are more reliable triggers and Ive been told they do something where they know that if the camera is 20ft from the subject but the flash is only 5ft from the subject then the flash doesn't think its 20ft and over fire. I assume that the Canon ST-E2 wouldn't do this?
 
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