Canon 580ex II and Pocket Wizard ?

[GMAN]

I am interested in trying to do some off camera flash with my Canon 580 EX II and my Canon EOS 450D.
Can anyone tell me which Pocket Wizards are the best suited for just some basic off camera lighting, using Soft boxes and Umbrellas?...Also, does anyone know of a website that might sell Tripods, Soft boxes, and or ubrellas, which are taylor'd for Speedlights. I'd like the idea of having a softbox or umbrella available without having any cables getting in the way....

[zona5101]

For PWs if you use the minis or the Flex I believe retain ittl and high speed sync. If your not concerned with ittl then the pluses would work (as would a number of other brands).
For lighting modifiers specifically designed for off camera flash, there are many...check Photoflex, Lastolite. If you go to one of the big e-seller (B&H, Adorama Calumet) you can find stuff from multiple manufacturers. Really the only parts that specialized for OCF are the umbrella/hotshoe swivel mount and the speed rings for the softbox. The actual softboxes and umbrellas used in OCF are the same that could be used for studio strobes.

[Rentham]

Keep in mind that the Canon 580 EXII apparently emits strong radio noise, limiting the effective range of the Pocket Wizard Flex TT5s. It might make more sense to go with Radio Poppers or something. In any case, you're going to spend a pretty penny to get TTL wireless. Like Zona said, the trusty old Pocket Wizard Plus II Transceivers will do the trick if you don't mind losing TTL on your speedlight. As would Skyports, and a bevy of other cheap knock off brands.

Westcott sells softboxes that are designed for speedlights, called the "Apollo". There is a 28" version and a 50" version. I have both, and love both. They fold like umbrellas, no speedrings to worry about.

Couple of things to know: the flash sits on a stand inside the softbox, so if you need to adjust a setting on the unit itself you need to either pull off the front diffusion panel or get really good at reaching up inside the softbox and knowing which button does what by feel. The 50" version, which gives beautiful light, is also temperamental. The latch system on the main shaft is a piece of garbage and will snap shut suddenly and violently with the slightest of breezes. I emailed Westcott about it and their reply was "Yeah, we know. They aren't built well and we're hoping the next generation will be better".

Lastolite sells a similar item called the EzyBox. Same idea as the Apollo, but the flash sits outside of the box on a kind of bracket. This makes it easier to change settings and use non-radio wireless. The Lastolites are also much more expensive.

The best swivel adapter I've used is the Manfrotto Lite-Tite. Add on a Stroboframe cold shoe and you're set there.

[GMAN]

I appriciate you advice and will do some research ! I would really like to try some lighting techniques with my 580EX II, using a softbox or umbrella. I need to do a little more reading about using the 580EX II in manual mode. I think I'll purchase the pocket wizards due to their ability to use Ettl ! I've been taking lots of portraits and have been using my 85mm / 1.8 .! Thinking of purchasing a new lens. I'm considering the 24-70mm f2.8L, or 17-55mm 2.8. I currently own 3 lenses; the 2 kit lenses, and I purchased the 85mm f1.8 last yr. I was impressed with the quick focus and sharpness of the 85mm. Since it is a prime lens, it has forced me to be creative, I have to move in or out to change my perspective....

Anyway, andy suggestions on which lens I should purchase?

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by GMAN

I appriciate you advice and will do some research ! I would really like to try some lighting techniques with my 580EX II, using a softbox or umbrella. I need to do a little more reading about using the 580EX II in manual mode. I think I'll purchase the pocket wizards due to their ability to use Ettl ! I've been taking lots of portraits and have been using my 85mm / 1.8 .! Thinking of purchasing a new lens. I'm considering the 24-70mm f2.8L, or 17-55mm 2.8. I currently own 3 lenses; the 2 kit lenses, and I purchased the 85mm f1.8 last yr. I was impressed with the quick focus and sharpness of the 85mm. Since it is a prime lens, it has forced me to be creative, I have to move in or out to change my perspective....

Anyway, andy suggestions on which lens I should purchase?

What is the your budget.. The 24-70mm f2.8 is nice. Perfect for weddings. You could go with the cheaper but good 28-75mm f2.8 tamaron lens. I use this one for weddings portraits and so on. I also have a 85mm f1.8 I actually use the 28-75mm more.

If you can deal with using manual flashes triggers like the cactus v5 are reliable and 3x + cheaper. They do the same thing the PW Plus II's. Then you can put that extra money towards something else.

Wireless trigger comparisons: Note this does not include ttl triggers because they are totally different type.

Trigger shoot out:
Flickr: Discussing UPDATE : Mega wireless radio trigger test : Cactus V5 V4 Yongnuo RF603 RF602 Pocket Wizard II plus & Ishoot Sniper in Strobist.com

PW Plus II vs cactus v5 comparison testing and review..
Flickr: Discussing Cactus V5 full review - comparison with V4 & PocketWizard Plus II in Strobist.com

My full review:
Cactus V5 Duo Review – Brian Hursey Photography

You also by buying a extra cable can remotely auto focus and trigger your camera shutter.


So my main question is are you doing photography 100% full time as a professional? Or just part time as side income?

[AdrenoJunkie]

I have the same setup as you have plus a couple more speedlights. I just got a set of PW mini and flexs plus an AC3 today. Havent had much of a chance to play with them other than figuring out how to get them to work. Once I've given them a good test run I'll let you know how they are. The RF noise issue isn't gonna be a probem for you unless you're trying to use them more than 30' apart. But to fix that they now come with soft shields that help to eliminate that, and if you don't like those you can buy a hard shield.

[GMAN]

I'm using the Canon 450D and would consider using the Tamaron 28-77 2.8. My question regarding this specific lens is; will this Tamaron lens funtion completely with my Canon EOS body, or will Ettl/ TTL be unavailable due to it being a tamaron, or will other funtions be lost?

to the gentleman who mentioned the PW min and flexs plus AC3. What all comes with the purchase? its it 2 PW? what is flexs?....I am an extreme novice to this so I'd like to know as much as possible!

[bhursey]

The Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 if buying the canon mount. It will function just like any other canon lense. TTL autofocus and so on.

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di Autofocus Lens for Can AF09C700 B&H

[AdrenoJunkie]

Originally Posted by GMAN

I'm using the Canon 450D and would consider using the Tamaron 28-77 2.8. My question regarding this specific lens is; will this Tamaron lens funtion completely with my Canon EOS body, or will Ettl/ TTL be unavailable due to it being a tamaron, or will other funtions be lost?

to the gentleman who mentioned the PW min and flexs plus AC3. What all comes with the purchase? its it 2 PW? what is flexs?....I am an extreme novice to this so I'd like to know as much as possible!

The mini TT1 is a transmitter that goes on your camera, the Flex TT5 is a transceiver that goes on your flash or your camera. The flex can act as a transmitter or a receiver. The AC3 is a zone controller, it goes on top of whichever unit is on your camera. The AC3 allows you to use zone/ratio control from your camera without having a commander flash on it also. You can also mix ETTL and manual flash with it. You're only gonna want that if you're using multiple speedlight. They're each sold as individual units, or as a bundle, but pay attention cuz sometimes the bundle isn't a deal at all and you'd be better off getting them individually. I got mine as a bundle from 17th Street Photo. It came with a Mini, a Flex and a caddy and was less than if I'd just bought the Mini and Flex alone. There does seem to be a bit of a learning curve with these things, at least for me, using multiple speedlights.

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by AdrenoJunkie

The mini TT1 is a transmitter that goes on your camera, the Flex TT5 is a transceiver that goes on your flash or your camera. The flex can act as a transmitter or a receiver. The AC3 is a zone controller, it goes on top of whichever unit is on your camera. The AC3 allows you to use zone/ratio control from your camera without having a commander flash on it also. You can also mix ETTL and manual flash with it. You're only gonna want that if you're using multiple speedlight. They're each sold as individual units, or as a bundle, but pay attention cuz sometimes the bundle isn't a deal at all and you'd be better off getting them individually. I got mine as a bundle from 17th Street Photo. It came with a Mini, a Flex and a caddy and was less than if I'd just bought the Mini and Flex alone. There does seem to be a bit of a learning curve with these things, at least for me, using multiple speedlights.

I dono mabye just me but i feel its silly investing this much money in radio triggers. When TTL does not always give you consistent results. Ya its much easery to use the AC3 and control the zones. However as a starting point in learning photography this is not always the best route. Full manual camera, full manual flashes, standard non ttl radio triggers, and a understanding of photography theory is the best route in my opinion. This will server you better through your photography career. Although I understand using TTL in time sensitive situations like a wedding. It is what we call run and gun.

I would rather spend that money on, better lights, better glass better body. Those are what are going to change the look of your photo not necessarily what radio trigger you have.

Photographers like atlanta based Zack Arias and David Hobby "Mr Strobist" mainly use full manual for shoots.
Photography By Zack Arias ? ATL ? 404-939-2263 ? studio@zackarias.com
Strobist


I would recommend reading lighting 101 on the strobist site and possibly look into buying Davids lighting in layers seminar or zacks one light seminar.