Off camera flash

[spiralp]

I would be really grateful for any advice regarding off camera flash. I use Canon (1D3)and have an EX550. The options would appear to be a long lead (cheap but restrictive), the canon ST-E3 infra red trigger (around £150 to £180), or Pocket Wizards (radio triggers). The Pocket Wizard route looks to be the most reliable long term solution, but very expensive at around £180 each and I would need 2 units. Anyone have any experience or advice?

[andy-xr]

I use Calumet radio triggers for flashguns and studio heads. I tried using Nikon's version of wireless flash and couldnt get it working. Not that you'd have that problem using a Canon.

I've also tried ebay triggers, and they were completely unreliable in my experience.

http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/item/CF0048/

[Simpo Two]

There's also Elinchrom's Skyport and I think Bowens make a system too, both cheaper than Pocket Wizards.

Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 13th July 21:59

[spiralp]

Thanks guys. You seem to be recommending radio triggers. I already use Elinchrom studio lights, but with an infra red trigger. This works indoors but I need to use flash off camera outside, and I hear bad things about infra red triggers being unreliable in sunlight. I will have a closer look at the Skyport.
Many thanks.

[jon-]

spiralp said:

Thanks guys. You seem to be recommending radio triggers. I already use Elinchrom studio lights, but with an infra red trigger. This works indoors but I need to use flash off camera outside, and I hear bad things about infra red triggers being unreliable in sunlight. I will have a closer look at the Skyport.
Many thanks.

Do you need ETTL? You're right, the IR used by the canon wireless system needs both line of site (or clever bouncing) and tends to go a bit spastic if you can't overpower the sun.

If you don't need ETTL I'd recommend the ebay triggers. Cheap, cheerful and reliable under 20 foot. If you want to extend the range there are heaps of mods you can do which allow right up to 100foot+, and I quite enjoy firing manual. You certainly learn more than letting the camera do the work.

If you do need off camera ETTL you've 2 real choices, and the skyports aren't one of them. You've radio poppers or the new pocket wizzards. The radio poppers simply relay the Canon wireless signal via radio, so it means you need either a 580exII or ST-2 master on the camera to use them. The new pocket wizzards don't require a dedicated master but seem to be currently less reliable (they seemed to have rushed a beta product to market to keep up with radio poppers) and they have huge issues with RF noise from the 580exII.

So in summary, it depends on your budget and requirements

[Snapper7]

I use Canon and their speedlites off camera and various Elinchrom and I use the Pocket wizard system. Forget IR it is no good in bright light. I also have the skyport system, but prefer the pocket wizard.

The sky port is good in a studio if you have an Elinchrom light you want to control that is out of reach, because it will allow you to up and down the power on some heads.

[spiralp]

I was not aware that radio poppers were available (yet) in the UK - I understood the radio frequency conflicted with mobile phones? Most people seem to be pointing me in the direction of the Canon IR trigger, but I share your concerns about bright light. I am not surprised that the best answer seems to be Pocket Wizards and that these are the most expensive. From what I can see the PW PlusII is around £320 for a pair. Does the PlusII handle Canon ETTL? Are these relatively easy to set up? How does the PW receiver connect to the flash unit - does it need an additional cable/hot shoe connector? Sorry for so many questions - you have all been very helpful, but I need to go do some more research.
Regards - Gordon.

[jon-]

spiralp said:

I was not aware that radio poppers were available (yet) in the UK - I understood the radio frequency conflicted with mobile phones? Most people seem to be pointing me in the direction of the Canon IR trigger, but I share your concerns about bright light. I am not surprised that the best answer seems to be Pocket Wizards and that these are the most expensive. From what I can see the PW PlusII is around £320 for a pair. Does the PlusII handle Canon ETTL? Are these relatively easy to set up? How does the PW receiver connect to the flash unit - does it need an additional cable/hot shoe connector? Sorry for so many questions - you have all been very helpful, but I need to go do some more research.
Regards - Gordon.

You need the MiniTT1 Transmitter and / or the FlexTT5 Transceiver to do TTL with Pocketwizzard. Unfortunately they're not available here yet either, so you'll be importing which ever option you go for

They're designed to be click and shoot, so setup shouldn't be an issue. The new PW receivers/transceivers use a hotshoe mount so nothing extra required.