How can I put extra flash strobes to use

[Rahul]

Hello Everyone!

I just found two old no-name flash units with my old camera equipment which I have not been using (since receiving them). Since, I do not know the current ratings of these flash, I never took the risk of mounting them on camera hot-shoe. I think, I can put them to a good use by using them as slave units (let's see if I can get creative with the light).

Could someone please suggest what additional hardware I need to buy so that the slave units can communicate with the mounted flash unit (Canon 430ex Speedlite). I think, an IR setup would work better unless I go for radio tx/rx setup, which would be expensive. And I'm not sure, if I want to spend too much at this time.

Thanks in advance.


p.s.: I looked around, but not sure which sub-forum I should post to. Hence, posting in general. Mods - please feel free to move to appropriate section. TY

[sk66]

You will likely need remote triggers and go manual. You could just use photo triggers activated by a primary/on-board flash...

[cphoniball]

If they're off-brand flash units then there isn't really any way for them to "communicate" with the 430ex, per say. You can get optical triggers which attach to the hot shoe of the flash and trigger them when the trigger detects the on-camera flash, or you can go the radio trigger route and use a transceiver on your camera and triggers with each of the flashes. These need not be expensive, there are several types of triggers available on ebay (I use the cactus v4's) for about $20 per transceiver/receiver.

[Rahul]

Thank you SK66 & cphoniball for your responses. I am inclined towards the optical triggers as well. Any recommendations on brand or model?
Thanks.

[sk66]

"cheap" if you just want to experiment....Cactus are fine and about as inexpensive as they come...

[inkista]

Optical slaves would be even cheaper. The only real drawbacks are range, line-of-sight, the fact that any passing shooter can pop them with their flash, and that you'd have to shoot with the 430EX in Manual on the hotshoe of the camera to avoid popping them with an eTTL pre-flash.

And the Yong Nuo RF602s are as cheap as the V4s, and said to have better range and reliability because they operate at 2.4GHz. The Cactuses are only at 433MHz. Plus, the RF602s can also be used as a remote shutter release.

[dakwegmo]

Smart move not putting them on your camera. If they predate digital cameras their trigger voltage is likely to be high enough to short out your camera.

IR and optical triggers don't work very well in bright sunlight. If you plan on shooting indoors or outside at night, then they're a good, cheap option, but you'll want radio triggers if you plan on using them outside during the day. I've got the cactus triggers too, and love them.

[janeqb]

Originally Posted by dakwegmo

Smart move not putting them on your camera. If they predate digital cameras their trigger voltage is likely to be high enough to short out your camera.

I've been using my 20 yr. old SB-24 speedlight on my Nikon D90!! Should I NOT be!? I'd have a heart attack if it damaged my camera!!

jane

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by janeqb

I've been using my 20 yr. old SB-24 speedlight on my Nikon D90!! Should I NOT be!? I'd have a heart attack if it damaged my camera!!

jane

Your sb-24 is fine with your d90, you lose the ttl capability and have to set the flash to "A" or manual but it otherwise perfectly compatable.

[dakwegmo]

According to this list: Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages the SB-24 is safe for digital cameras.