Will this work?
Discussion
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sunpak-PF30X-Flashgun-for-Ca...
Last time i purchased an off camera flash i couldnt trigger it so i thought i would ask this time! Is this likely to work as an off camera flash? I have purchased some radio triggers this time, better than the crappy optical thing!
Cheers
Leighton
Last time i purchased an off camera flash i couldnt trigger it so i thought i would ask this time! Is this likely to work as an off camera flash? I have purchased some radio triggers this time, better than the crappy optical thing!
Cheers
Leighton
nick_bbb said:
Ok, cheers nick i have now ordered a vivitar 285hv, got 10 percent off with my ebay coupon as well so result! In theory, so long as you can connect them properly, any working, fault free flash will work off camera.
However it will need to be set manually and you will want to experiment to see just what results you can get. You will also need to estimate charge cycle times if you use the flash remotely and cannot see the indicator.
Not sure how good the low cost wireless remotes are but I successfully used an Elinchrom remote setup earlier this year with some eBay sourced Metz guns. If distance becomes a problem (unlikely but ...) then Pocket Wizards are the answer although they also come with the question "HOW MUCH?", especially for the rather excellent MultiMax IIs.
What you won't get without spending a lost of cash is a full E-TTL capable setup with flash settings controlled from the camera during the exposure or even as part of the pre-exposure set up. However, buying a unit that will do E-TTL when attached to the camera still provides maximum flexibility PROVIDING is offers enough lighting power for the purposes you have in mind.
If you are hand-holding for wedding/candid portrait work you will need a way to reliably keep the flash and remote together without compromising the signal. Otherwise a cheap, maybe small, tripod and suitable adaptor/mount would be very useful. If you are handholding then a 'pro' style flash with a proper grip - Metz 45 style or similar - should make life much easier.
However it will need to be set manually and you will want to experiment to see just what results you can get. You will also need to estimate charge cycle times if you use the flash remotely and cannot see the indicator.
Not sure how good the low cost wireless remotes are but I successfully used an Elinchrom remote setup earlier this year with some eBay sourced Metz guns. If distance becomes a problem (unlikely but ...) then Pocket Wizards are the answer although they also come with the question "HOW MUCH?", especially for the rather excellent MultiMax IIs.
What you won't get without spending a lost of cash is a full E-TTL capable setup with flash settings controlled from the camera during the exposure or even as part of the pre-exposure set up. However, buying a unit that will do E-TTL when attached to the camera still provides maximum flexibility PROVIDING is offers enough lighting power for the purposes you have in mind.
If you are hand-holding for wedding/candid portrait work you will need a way to reliably keep the flash and remote together without compromising the signal. Otherwise a cheap, maybe small, tripod and suitable adaptor/mount would be very useful. If you are handholding then a 'pro' style flash with a proper grip - Metz 45 style or similar - should make life much easier.
This thread is very useful in reminding me why I don't even attempt off-camera flash at weddings!
Studio yes, nice big things that all slave together, but then I have the luxury of time
Leighton, I'd be wary of using a non-Canon lash-up (or any system you're not 100% confident with) in a professional situation - if it fails, you'll be left looking the chump...
Studio yes, nice big things that all slave together, but then I have the luxury of time
Leighton, I'd be wary of using a non-Canon lash-up (or any system you're not 100% confident with) in a professional situation - if it fails, you'll be left looking the chump...
I've got two Vivitard 285s and also a Nikon SB600.
I would never use the Vivitards on my camera, the SB600 literally can run rings around them in every conceivable way. However for off camera work when you need a bit of punch they are pretty good. I'd only use them when I had lots of time and a lot of control over the environment. I wouldn't use them at a wedding, but then, I wouldn't shoot a wedding anyway!
Optical triggers are worthless - ebay poverty wizards are a bit better but still lack the range of a "proper" (read expensive) wireless remote flash firing system.
For reference this was with poverty wizards at very short range - I think it took 3 tries to get all three flashes to fire. The recycle time on the 285s is loooooooong.
You can get some interesting results though, and since you can get 3 Vivitards for the same price as one Canon/Nikon flash, they are good bang for buck. Only your buck costs 25% more now than 6 months ago sadly.
Given the choice of one Nikon/Canon flash or three Vivitards, I'd choose the Nikon/Canon one for the versatility.
I would never use the Vivitards on my camera, the SB600 literally can run rings around them in every conceivable way. However for off camera work when you need a bit of punch they are pretty good. I'd only use them when I had lots of time and a lot of control over the environment. I wouldn't use them at a wedding, but then, I wouldn't shoot a wedding anyway!
Optical triggers are worthless - ebay poverty wizards are a bit better but still lack the range of a "proper" (read expensive) wireless remote flash firing system.
For reference this was with poverty wizards at very short range - I think it took 3 tries to get all three flashes to fire. The recycle time on the 285s is loooooooong.
You can get some interesting results though, and since you can get 3 Vivitards for the same price as one Canon/Nikon flash, they are good bang for buck. Only your buck costs 25% more now than 6 months ago sadly.
Given the choice of one Nikon/Canon flash or three Vivitards, I'd choose the Nikon/Canon one for the versatility.
I've got the same setup as dobbo except a Canon 580ex in place of the Nikkon. Those ebay triggers are, as he says, a bit tempremental. I've got a shoot coming up that I will need to use all three flashes and I'm considering getting some long wires rather than using the proverty triggers.
nick_bbb said:
I've got the same setup as dobbo except a Canon 580ex in place of the Nikkon. Those ebay triggers are, as he says, a bit tempremental. I've got a shoot coming up that I will need to use all three flashes and I'm considering getting some long wires rather than using the proverty triggers.
You can rent Elinchrom or Pocket Wizard remotes at reasonable prices if you don't want wires trailing all over the place. The London branch of the very helpful guys I used (The Flash Centre in Brum in my case) should be in a position to help. (I am assuming you are still based in the south.)LongQ said:
nick_bbb said:
I've got the same setup as dobbo except a Canon 580ex in place of the Nikkon. Those ebay triggers are, as he says, a bit tempremental. I've got a shoot coming up that I will need to use all three flashes and I'm considering getting some long wires rather than using the proverty triggers.
You can rent Elinchrom or Pocket Wizard remotes at reasonable prices if you don't want wires trailing all over the place. The London branch of the very helpful guys I used (The Flash Centre in Brum in my case) should be in a position to help. (I am assuming you are still based in the south.)Simpo Two said:
_dobbo_ said:
the SB600 literally can run rings around them
Blimey, where's that in the menu? Is there a choice of clockwise and anticlockwise?!
The manual for the SB600 is actually bigger than the D200 if I recall - I had to read it twice to find the "run rings around" option... _dobbo_ said:
You don't have to splash on pocket wizards which are expensive but you will need a way of triggering the flash - what did you have in mind for achieving this?
Well i did have an optical slave but it didnt work. I have now purchased a Wireless Remote Radio Slave, pc sync cable and a receive on top the camera, shown below;http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Only thing is, i have just seen this;
http://photo.net/photography-lighting-equipment-te...
?
I have read very variable reports of the Eastern eBay items, even at 30 or 40 quid. Would have bought for a project earlier this year but for that. (I needed 5 or 6 units - preferably PW MultiMax's but came to my senses before I placed an order ....!)
The Elinchrom set (Transmitter and receiver in a kit, buy additional receivers if required) worked well as a remote for flash or camera trigger and costs less than the PW's but somewhat more than the eBay units. The Elinchroms are truly tiny and not as robust as the PW's - they are meant to be studio items after all! The PW's also have a much greater range but the Elinchroms have enough range for most likely applications (about 50 to 60 metres iirc. Maybe more.)
Mind you, if your eBay units work out OK do let us know. To have some low cost units lying around for playing would be good fun.
Grant
The Elinchrom set (Transmitter and receiver in a kit, buy additional receivers if required) worked well as a remote for flash or camera trigger and costs less than the PW's but somewhat more than the eBay units. The Elinchroms are truly tiny and not as robust as the PW's - they are meant to be studio items after all! The PW's also have a much greater range but the Elinchroms have enough range for most likely applications (about 50 to 60 metres iirc. Maybe more.)
Mind you, if your eBay units work out OK do let us know. To have some low cost units lying around for playing would be good fun.
Grant
leightonjames said:
_dobbo_ said:
You don't have to splash on pocket wizards which are expensive but you will need a way of triggering the flash - what did you have in mind for achieving this?
Well i did have an optical slave but it didnt work. I have now purchased a Wireless Remote Radio Slave, pc sync cable and a receive on top the camera, shown below;http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Only thing is, i have just seen this;
http://photo.net/photography-lighting-equipment-te...
?
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff