Strobe/Flash/Speedlite

[CanonRebelz]

Hey everyone. I've been thinking of purchasing a Canon 430EX II Speedlite for my Canon Rebel XS.
I'm wondering though, will I need to buy other accessories with it like light meters or anything?
I'm just trying to figure up how much it is going to cost me and if I'm going to need to buy more stuff with it before I actually purchase it.
Also, what about add ons by companies like Interfit and such? Are little mini soft boxes and snoots needed for indoor/outdoor portraits?
I know if I were to do off camera flash, I might want to get a trigger, so what are some cheap ones? Pocket Wizards are pretty popular, but too expensive.
Thanks in advance!

[candleman]

all you need for on camera operation is the flash, and a set or two of rechargable batteries.

off camera is another story..
you'll need radiotrigger as a minimum
for portraits i'ds reccomend a stand and umbrella to go with that.

but the type of modifier you use (snoot, umbrella, softbox etc etc) all depends on what effect you are trying to create.

there are lots of alternatives to PW's
CyberSyncs, Radiopoppers, Cactus V4's, SkyPorts, e-bay PT-04's to name just a few.

[CanonRebelz]

Originally Posted by candleman

All you need for on camera operation is the flash, and a set or two of rechargable batteries.

Off camera is another story..
You'll need radiotrigger as a minimum.
For portraits, I'd reccomend a stand and an umbrella to go with that.

But the type of modifier you use (snoot, umbrella, softbox etc etc) all depends on what effect you are trying to create.

There are lots of alternatives to PW's:
CyberSyncs, Radiopoppers, Cactus V4's, SkyPorts, e-bay PT-04's to name just a few.

Sounds good. Thanks for the info, Candleman.

[natek313]

I shoot with a Rebel XS and Speedlite 430EX II. I think you'll find varying opinions on whether to bother with light meters. Personally, I don't own one, but I have never tried one out.

I wouldn't bother buying any snoots. A lot of them can be made at home for a few dollars. I use two DIY snoots. As far as other modifiers go, some of them can be made to save money. Do a little searching online. And, like candleman said, what you want to use depends on what effect you want.

If you are going to focus on portraits, candleman gives some good advice - you'll probably want to invest in a lightstand, umbrella, and flash bracket. Adding to that, I would recommend buying a reflector or making your own. Of course, you're going to need a way to trigger your flash. Like you said, PocketWizards are very good, but also very expensive. I went with a CyberSync setup. I lose the ability for E-TTL metering for my flash, but I don't need/want E-TTL for off-camera lighting; I shoot full manual.

[CanonRebelz]

Originally Posted by natek313

I shoot with a Rebel XS and Speedlite 430EX II. I think you'll find varying opinions on whether to bother with light meters. Personally, I don't own one, but I have never tried one out.

I wouldn't bother buying any snoots. A lot of them can be made at home for a few dollars. I use two DIY snoots. As far as other modifiers go, some of them can be made to save money. Do a little searching online. And, like candleman said, what you want to use depends on what effect you want.

If you are going to focus on portraits, candleman gives some good advice - you'll probably want to invest in a lightstand, umbrella, and flash bracket. Adding to that, I would recommend buying a reflector or making your own. Of course, you're going to need a way to trigger your flash. Like you said, PocketWizards are very good, but also very expensive. I went with a CyberSync setup. I lose the ability for E-TTL metering for my flash, but I don't need/want E-TTL for off-camera lighting; I shoot full manual.

Yeah, I was thinking of making my own sort of snoot/light director kinda thing.
Ah I see, is the E-TTL metering available in PW's or any other kind of triggers?
Ah yes, reflectors! Definitely going to be getting one of those too. Should I just get a cheaper White/Silver or White/Gold or White/Diffuser reflector or get a 5-in-1(or an expensive 6-in-1)? Is it worth the extra cash for the multiple diffusers in-1 kind thing?
Thanks for all the info. And I will definitely look into the flash brackets/stands/umbrella's.
Thanks so much.

[inkista]

The PocketWizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 can do eTTL, as can the RadioPopper PXs. There's also a new set of triggers nobody's seen before of the eBay variety that claim to do TTL, but nobody's gotten their hands on 'em, yet. The Strobist discussion thread on 'em is here: Flickr: Discussing New TTL Triggers!! 2.4GHz TR-331 TR-332 in Strobist.com

[CanonRebelz]

Originally Posted by inkista

The PocketWizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 can do eTTL, as can the RadioPopper PXs. There's also a new set of triggers nobody's seen before of the eBay variety that claim to do TTL, but nobody's gotten their hands on 'em, yet. The Strobist discussion thread on 'em is here: Flickr: Discussing New TTL Triggers!! 2.4GHz TR-331 TR-332 in Strobist.com

That ebay one looks interesting. But, it's Nikon only.

Thanks for the info, I'll check out the RadioPopper PX's right now (I'm googling them as we speak).
EDIT: PX is kinda expensive for the transmitter only, and it only runs 580ex. Oh well. Thanks for the help tho

[m.c.adams]

If you can or are willing to go manual, Cactus V4's from Gadget Infinity are what I use. They work very good and are for sure inexpensive.

Gadget Infinity :: Digital Camera :: Flash Trigger :: Cactus Wireless Flash Trigger Set V4

[candleman]

Originally Posted by CanonRebelz

Ah yes, reflectors! Definitely going to be getting one of those too. Should I just get a cheaper White/Silver or White/Gold or White/Diffuser reflector or get a 5-in-1(or an expensive 6-in-1)? Is it worth the extra cash for the multiple diffusers in-1 kind thing?
Thanks for all the info. And I will definitely look into the flash brackets/stands/umbrella's.
Thanks so much.

reflectors.. well..
i have a large oval 5-in-1 (67" long roughly) ...pretty cheap on e-bay relativley speaking.
i can hand on heart say i've never used the translucent bit.. but its availavle when needed.
i often use white, silver and gold occasionally depending on what i'm doing and how much fill i want.
only once used the black.. which was in a confined space to control light bouncing everywhere.

basically yes.. i'd suggest a 5-in-1

what would the sixth side be? a medium between silver and gold?
dont know



as for triggers
again.. f you have the cash get something good.
if i had the cash i'd have CyberSyncs (probablly) Elinchrom SkyPorts also recently tickled my fancy but i dont know a hell of allot abpout the pro's/cons of either.

i use Cactus V4's (1 transmitter firing 3 strobes.. all three strobes have their own Cactus receiver.. so no optical slaving from me as i love my outdoor and location stuff.)
i would reccomend them.. only as a budget choice..
i only once had an isse where "hand holding" two strobes in one hand they both started going off randomly
i switched channels and it was ok.. maybe the guys hose we were at had something triggering them (he was a wealty fella with lots of toys) OR thy bere being bumped .. i couldnt figure it out.
i just changed channels and kept them seperated.

again.. V4's only allow manual strobing (no eTTL fancy stuff) but i actually like it that way to be honest.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by CanonRebelz

That ebay one looks interesting. But, it's Nikon only.

Canon version due out by Christmas/New Year's. But I'd wait to see what kind of function you can get with it. It looks like it's acting like a TTL cord, so high-speed synch is a shoo-in, but remote power level control, and groups/ratios is an unknown, and also how much control you'll have without a MkII EX speedlite (i.e., without being able to control the flash from the camera back).