off camera flash

[kanuski]

Greetings,
I have been looking for a cheap off-camera flash that will work for my Rebel xti. There are dozens on eBay but I don't want to buy something that won't work for my camera. Any suggestions?

[W.Smith]

How far off-camera? And how do you plan on tripping it?

[peterst6906]

there are so many options kanuski.

If you are looking for something new then a flash like the vivitar 285HV would serve you well. That plus a cheap optical slave or even cheaper, a cord, would give you an off camera capability.

If you want to use the wireless lighting systems of Nikon or Canon (with some cameras), in conjunction with a third party flash, then the Sigma flash would serve you well:

Sigma - Flashes

Regards,

Peter

[jfrancho]

There is no PC connection on an XTi, so the options are off camera shoe cord, Canon's IR system or some optical slave. There other 3rd party wireless solutions out there, but I never tried any. The most reliable option is using Pocket Wizard transceivers.

[kanuski]

Originally Posted by W.Smith

How far off-camera? And how do you plan on tripping it?

I was thinking about a wireless radio slave. I am new to using off camera flash systems and want to experiment before buying anything expensive.

[W.Smith]

Originally Posted by kanuski

I was thinking about a wireless radio slave. I am new to using off camera flash systems and want to experiment before buying anything expensive.

The reliability of wireless radio slave systems comes at a steep price: they are by far the most expensive option. OK, you get a range of about 1500 feet, but unless you're an accomplished wildlife photographer that would be ridiculous overkill. When would you ever need that?
Plus more batteries to charge and keep charged.

If you want to experiment without spending too much I'd start with a hotshoe mounted cable connection.

[Capn_Jack]

I can throw a reccomendation for the Cactus V2 S available from a few retailers. I got mine out of Hong Kong for 35 bucks. It comes with an on-camera hotshoe transmitter and 1 flash reciever. I'm not sure of the range, but for just starting out (and at a price that isn't that much different from longer or high-end cables) you can be playing with off-flash with a rather reliable solution in no time.

http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/home.php/


Cheers
Craig

[jfrancho]

I assume that this, like just about all other 3rd party wireless triggers, does not support ETTL metering.

[Christian Lewis]

Cheap flash like the Vivitar 285 or 283 and a simple hotshoe to pc adaptor(10$).

[Capn_Jack]

Franco,

No, it does not--a downside for sure, but I personally like everything (even my light levels) to be manual.

My reasoning is this: If I do it all manually until I know it like the back of my hand, then when I let hardware/software take over and get the odd wonky result, I'll better know how to fix things.

Cheers
Craig

[richardpcrowe]

Some older 285, 285HV and 383 Vivitar flashes have very high sync voltages, some higher than the Rebel's electronic circuitry can handle.

Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages

A Wein Safe Sync will protect your camera circuitry and also provide a PC sync point.

Safe Syncs

Also be aware that the Vivitar units used their own proprietary sync cords, not just a male-female PC cord like many flash units use.

The 283-285 series flashes from Vivitar are good general purpose flashes that can be had for peanuts used on eBay and other places. There is also a wide variety of accessories available for these units that also can be had very-very inexpensively.

You can get good exposure using a Thyristor based auto flash as long as you remember to use the computer that you have between your ears.

My only gripe about the 283-285 (series) units is that they do not swivel, so bouncing using the flash on a hot shoe is not always easy. However, since you are going to be using a sync cord anyway, splurge on a flip-camera flash backet which will colve the lack of swivel problem because the flash will always be pointed in the same direction for bouncing whether you are in vertical or horizontal position.

[Christian Lewis]

The newer flashes now being sold have safe sync voltages though.

[Capn_Jack]

Richard,

I was under the impression that the "hv" designation meant safe for DLSR? I'm a total greenhorn though so I may be mistaken!

Cheers
Craig

[jfrancho]

Originally Posted by Capn_Jack

Franco,

No, it does not--a downside for sure, but I personally like everything (even my light levels) to be manual.

My reasoning is this: If I do it all manually until I know it like the back of my hand, then when I let hardware/software take over and get the odd wonky result, I'll better know how to fix things.

Cheers
Craig

You can control ETTL manually. Flash exposure is controlled with FEC, and ambient exposure using M mode and adjusting shutter/Aperture/ISO.

This is a much easier method for weddings, parties, photojournalism, and other situations where the defining moment is fleeting. It is not a perfect system though, flipping from ETTL to manual flash output isn't exactly going to be an easier route to fix a weird exposure, or unexpected results.

That said, I know of no other way than manual output mode on the flash to get consistent results in a controlled setting.

[tiricordidime]

I happily use an old pentax manual flash with my canon.It works well.