Remote flash?

[Recty]

Hey guys.

I want to be able to be taking a picture from the front of my tank but have a flash on the side of the tank that fires when I click my camera's shutter button.

What equipment would I need for that?

I've been looking at B and H and the flash I'd like is the 580 EX II, but all I can find is a 3' cord that lets you extend the camera 3' away from the flash. I'd like to be able to extend it away like 6 feet or maybe more. What do I need to get?

I see the ST-E2 transmitter kit they have that also comes with two 580EX IIs, but that is almost $1000, I'm hoping to get something a little cheaper...

A question on the ST-E2, is that also a flash? For instance, with that kit, would I get a total of 3 flashes? One that hooks into the camera's shoe on top, then two I can position wherever I want? Or is the one that goes on the camera just a transmitter?

 

[swjim]

You can get some longer ETTL cords here: http://www.flashzebra.com/ttlcords/ettlcords/index.shtml.

The ST-E2 is an IR transmitter that passes ETTL signals, it is not a flash. They work pretty reliably indoors and within line of sight but are less reliable in bright daylight and/or over longer distances. A 580EX or EX II can also serve as a master and offers the same functionality as the ST-E@ if you have it in the camera's hot shoe.

If you're willing to shoot in manual mode then you can get by with cheaper manual flashes such as the Vivitar 285HV and some e-bay Cactus triggers to get you started.

If you haven't already checked out the Lighting 101 at Strobist I would highly recommend it, there is a ton of great info there: http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html

 

[Recty]

Thanks for the info.

I wasnt sure if the 580EX II could wirelessly control another flash, but from what you posted it looks like it can? In that case, I really dont see the need for the transmitter unless I wanted both flashes to be off camera.

 

[swjim]

Yep, you've got it. The 580 can act as a master for other Canon 580s or 430s and as long as you don't want them both off camera then you'll be fine. The problem is off camera flash is addicting and you'll soon want to have more than one off camera.

 

[glparr]

No need for transmitters. Use an on-camera flash set to master and an off-camera flash set to slave. Make the off-camera flash your main and the on-camera unit your fill, i.e., it just provides a little light. The primary illumination comes from the off-camera flash. You can also just aim the on-camera flash at the ceiling and use it to do nothing more than trip the other unit. Note that your off-camera unit might cause reflections off of air bubbles and debris in the water, depending on the angle. You'll have to play with positioning so you get the lighting you want without having to clone out a bunch of white spots.

This shot was done with an on-camera flash with the head angled at about 30 deg., i.e., aimed toward the ceiling so that the edge of it's blast enters the aquarium. A second flash was on a tripod above and to the right, aimed down into the water.

These clowns laid eggs about an hour after I left. I couldn't wait any longer. Grrrrrrrrrrr!!!!

Gary

 

[IPT]

nice shot Gary. Very well lit. Good luck Grant, should be fun for you. I would offer advice but my nowledge and experience with flash is rudimentry at best. You'll have to teach me everything you learn .

 

[Reef Bass]

That is a bomb shot Gary. Super clear crisp well lit well filled. Amazing sharpness and detail on the texture of the faces.

I second IPt's request to be kept informed on your flash exploits Grant.

 

[swjim]

Cool shot Gary! It looks like a painting.

 

[Recty]

I'll keep you guys updated, I'm going to do a little more research before I plop down any more money in my photography hobby But I'm sure I'll end up with at least one 580EX II unit, maybe two. And I'm definitely getting the little thingymajig that lets me do long timed exposures instead of the crap built in 30 second limit I'm dealing with right now.

 

[Dino]

Good advice given so far. Cheapest way for you to get your flash off camera would be a simple PC cord as long as you're willing to learn how to use a manual flash. Depending on your flash/body combo all you might need is a PC cord which will run you under $20 from Flash Zebra. If you're using a rebel body or a flash without a PC sync connection you might need one or two hot shoe adapters - tack on another $30 if you need two adapters. Cheap, reliable, you sacrifice a little in mobility but for tank shots you aren't going to be running all over the place anyway. If you REALLY wanna break the bank you can throw in a light stand and an umbrella mount to put your flash on for under $100.

 

[maroun.c]

Experimented on this some years ago on my older tank using my SB600 with an extension cable and another cheap slave flash. Had to manually work my SB60 intensity to match with the intensity of the other flash then worked a bit on setting a manual exposure set that worked with the intensity I was getting out of the flashes I had. both flash were fit in DIY small softboxes and I would say results were decent enough. If I were to do it again I would for sure work with two dedicated flashes for ease of setup of the flash intensity ratios and then add on a bigger softbox or maybe an umbrella... here are some of my results but those were taken few years ago with a P&S

FTS with dual flash

single flash with Softbox

Dual flash with softbox

and all the pics set

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v617/Maroun/Flash Photography/

again these are pics of my old 80G which didn't look that great and were taken with a P&S so image quality is not at it's best

 

[vbjimmie]

invest in a set of cactus V4s. Know several people that have them and none have been let down by them. Also, at $40 for a Trans and Rec with cables...can't beat that. So you can spring for a 430ex instead of the 580 and put your flash on a tripod next/behind your tank. Below is a link.

http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=17204&cat=274&page=1

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15306368#post15306368 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Recty
And I'm definitely getting the little thingymajig that lets me do long timed exposures instead of the crap built in 30 second limit I'm dealing with right now.

Just spend $15 on a cheap wired remote on amazon...set your exposure to bulb and have fun.

 

[Recty]

I just ordered a 580EX II, no extra flashes or transmitters or anything. I want to get used to using the flash, then I'll worry about using the flash off camera and what not.

Oh, and I also ordered the Canon 10-22mm

And the TC80N3 remote control

And some batteries!!!

 

[swjim]

That's the way most people start out and it's a good way to go. This is a good site to help get you started: http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/

 

[vbjimmie]

might want to pick up a diffuser as well.

 

[Recty]

Yeah, Amazon didnt have any of the good omni-bounce in stock, all of them shipped from other places so I'll just pick one up locally.

 

[swjim]

A white index card with a rubber band or just the 580's built in catchlight panel are a good way to start. I don't use my omni-bounce very much, especially since I picked up a Lumiquest Promax system.

The Demb Flip-it gets pretty good reviews too but I've never used one myself.

 

[Recty]

Yeah, I'll end up using a piece of white cardboard for a little while until I learn more about what I need

 

[Recty]

The lens just arrived, that was cool, I didnt pay for overnight shipping but I got it

I'm still waiting on the flash though... and the remote control.

I took my first wide angle photo Yes, I should have cleaned up the house before I did it, my wife would kill me if she knew I was posting pictures with the house dirty, so dont tell her!

I'm really amazed how much of the room I was able to get in this capture, it's crazy. We're going out walking tonight and I'm hoping to put this lens to use!

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Now all you need is a 70-200 and we will be photography twins!!