New and need help..

[Tamster]

Hey guys. I have a cheapo external flash and trying to find out what to get to sync it to my camera? I have been looking online and can't figure what to get. OF course i can't find the paperwork right now but on the flash it just says dslr300. Can anyone help with this?
Thanks in advance!

[inkista]

If it's this one, ummm... you may want to rethink your purchase if you're planning on doing Strobist work with it. Three power settings, while better than none, isn't all that great. Most flashes, even the cheapies, will have more than that. The Yong-Nuo YN-460 II, which is about the same price, has 7 (1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64). Bad news: it's only sold on eBay from Hong Kong.

If your dslr300 came with a PC sync cord, and you just want to get it off-camera, probably all you need is a hotshoe-to-PC adapter. The T1i doesn't have a PC sync port. You have to go to the 7D or above bodies for that, or get a pre-60D XXD body. (every body else grumbles about the autofocus microadjust removal on the 60D. I grumble about the PC port removal).

You may also need a longer PC cord.

If you wanted to go wireless on the cheap, Cactus V4 or Yongnuo RF-602 radio triggers might be the way to go. The Rx/Tx units connect to the hotshoes of the camera and flash, so you don't have to worry about PC ports.

[oldwolf]

Originally Posted by inkista

If it's this one, ummm... you may want to rethink your purchase if you're planning on doing Strobist work with it. Three power settings, while better than none, isn't all that great. Most flashes, even the cheapies, will have more than that. The Yong-Nuo YN-460 II, which is about the same price, has 8 (1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64, 1/128). Bad news: it's only sold on eBay from Hong Kong.

If your dslr300 came with a PC sync cord, and you just want to get it off-camera, probably all you need is a hotshoe-to-PC adapter. The T1i doesn't have a PC sync port. You have to go to the 7D or above bodies for that, or get a pre-60D XXD body. (every body else grumbles about the autofocus microadjust removal on the 60D. I grumble about the PC port removal).

You may also need a longer PC cord.

If you wanted to go wireless on the cheap, Cactus V4 or Yongnuo RF-602 radio triggers might be the way to go. The Rx/Tx units connect to the hotshoes of the camera and flash, so you don't have to worry about PC ports.

Umm....what inki said.

[deadgirlreading]

I have the same flash and a Cactus v4 radio trigger. It's kind of a pain in the butt because the flash has 3 settings, all of which require you to do calculations to figure out appropriate aperture and shutter speed for a given ISO. It's very prone to overexposing the subject. It would be much easier to work with 1/2 power, 1/4 power, etc. settings and I've put a new flash on my 'to buy' list for that very reason.
I don't want to discourage you because it is possible to make this flash do awesome things. It's just a lot more work than having a different flash would be.

For reference, I took these shots the first day I had the Cactus set-up with the cheapie flash:

[Tamster]

Originally Posted by oldwolf

Umm....what inki said.

Thanks!

[Tamster]

Originally Posted by inkista

If it's this one, ummm... you may want to rethink your purchase if you're planning on doing Strobist work with it. Three power settings, while better than none, isn't all that great. Most flashes, even the cheapies, will have more than that. The Yong-Nuo YN-460 II, which is about the same price, has 7 (1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64). Bad news: it's only sold on eBay from Hong Kong.

If your dslr300 came with a PC sync cord, and you just want to get it off-camera, probably all you need is a hotshoe-to-PC adapter. The T1i doesn't have a PC sync port. You have to go to the 7D or above bodies for that, or get a pre-60D XXD body. (every body else grumbles about the autofocus microadjust removal on the 60D. I grumble about the PC port removal).

You may also need a longer PC cord.

If you wanted to go wireless on the cheap, Cactus V4 or Yongnuo RF-602 radio triggers might be the way to go. The Rx/Tx units connect to the hotshoes of the camera and flash, so you don't have to worry about PC ports.

OK, thanks so much for the info. I was just wondering how it may work if i ever get around to actually doing something with it. The rate I'm going i may as well pack all my stuff up and call it a day! There is never enough time and ALWAYS new things i get stumped on!! grrrrrrrr..... But i will def print this out and keep it in mind. Thanks for all your info as always!

[Tamster]

Originally Posted by deadgirlreading

I have the same flash and a Cactus v4 radio trigger. It's kind of a pain in the butt because the flash has 3 settings, all of which require you to do calculations to figure out appropriate aperture and shutter speed for a given ISO. It's very prone to overexposing the subject. It would be much easier to work with 1/2 power, 1/4 power, etc. settings and I've put a new flash on my 'to buy' list for that very reason.
I don't want to discourage you because it is possible to make this flash do awesome things. It's just a lot more work than having a different flash would be.

For reference, I took these shots the first day I had the Cactus set-up with the cheapie flash:

Thanks! wow, yes it does sound liek its a hand full! Esp for a newbie that really doesn't know much about lighting! lol I'm saving up for the 580.. Thats what everyone is telling me is good right now anyway! lol Thanks