430 ex ii wireless question

[Buzz word]

I bought a 600d a little while back which I am loving. One of the big draws was the wireless flash control. I bought the 430 ex ii so I could use this function however I don't think it works how I was imagining. From a combination of experimentation and the manual it seems you either need to use the built in flash or another unit on the camera to trigger the remote unit. Is that right? I had assumed there would be just some IR beam that set the unit of wirelesly.

The effect I wanted was a off camera flash with no need to fire the built in or master unit. Is there a way to get that function? Is that the purpose of the ST E2 transmitter?

On camera I love it. I was just having a quick play with it yesterday when I visited my cousins kids.


IMG_5132 by neill_scog, on Flickr

[MikeGTi]

Having a quick look at the 600d it seems as if the pop-up flash is the only way of triggering other flashes.

The Canon IR trigger unit would work line of sight to another flash but IMO you're better off with a really long E-TTL cord or some cheap radio remotes from eBay or Calumet.

[Buzz word]

Thanks. I assume the flash could still be used as auto with the e TTL cord as all metering is done on the flash I think.

Would I lose auto function with wireless triggers? If I would the cord seems the way to do it.

[MikeGTi]

Buzz word said:

Thanks. I assume the flash could still be used as auto with the e TTL cord as all metering is done on the flash I think.

Would I lose auto function with wireless triggers? If I would the cord seems the way to do it.

Certain radio triggers are TTL compatible, but they're expensive for it. Although using the flash on manual gives you repeatability... TTL cord is definitely the cheaper way to go.