Big Stopper Loc: London

My camera is a Canon 5d mk3 and my flash which I've had for an age is a 430ex. I do a fair amount of flash photography but never with the flash off camera. I have a Lastolite EzyBox which attaches to the flash and I use this a lot with great results and I have recently bought a Rogue Flash Bender which I love already. I guess you could say that I'm reasonably comfortable with on-camera flash.

However, I want to expand on this and for example there was a recent post about using flash units off camera in the corners of a room pointing upwards and away from the camera to give subtle soft light for a party and this really sparked my interest.

So, suppose I wanted to do something similar, say, on-camera flash plus a couple of separate flash units. I have loads of questions at this point but will try to narrow it down to a few:

- can I use my existing 430EX?
- will it need anything else to make it work?
- I'm happy to buy third party gear - I'm not a Canon shareholder, can you recommend either Canon or 3rd party flashes that will work remotely?

I hope this all makes sense and thanks. Bob

AdkHiker Loc: Northeast

Take a look at this one....it is a nice flash. Yonguno YN560 III is is a manual flash but it is a great flash Also look for radio triggers from the same manufacturer... I think they are around $32 for a pair. You can put one on you camera one on the 430 and. The YN 560 already has a transceiver built into it so it will fire along with it. More it can act as as slave to the 460. Buying an off camera ETTL cord for your 430 will give you greater off camera options.

I own the 580 EXiii and recently bought the YN 560 III. I am pleased with the purchase. They make other models that offer ETTL for about twice the price but unless you are shooting at varying distances they are not needed. Besides you have the 430 for that.

Don't be shy about using manual...you will learn flash photograph quicker

Here is a Speedlighters Handbook by Syl Arena will be helpful as well.

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

Hi Bob - I'm a Nikon user and also have a Fuji X-Series camera .... and only 4 months ago I knew nothing about flash photography. Among the many websites where you can learn the basics I found this one .......

http://flashhavoc.com/

..... from which, if you just surf around a little, you can and will find an amazing amount of info about the various flash units, triggering units, which ones to go for if you don't wish, or can't, go for the manufacturer's own unit. Although there are many here who will advise you to "go with Canon", I can happily tell you that it's not necessary at all and you can get terrific units that will give you either ETTL or Manual flash that will fire from the flash of your camera or your on-camera unit, for much less money.

If you simply want a "manual" unit that will remain in a fixed position with regard to your subject look at the Yongnuo 560iii which is highly recommended, and at the Godox v560 and the Cactus RF60, whhich appear to be even better units from what's being written about them. Read about them and learn before putting your hand in your pocket !

If you want ETTL and don't wish to lash out for another Canon, look at the Phottix offerings (Mitros and Mitros+), the Yongnuo 568 (I think) or even the "companion" to the new Godox v560 (v860C) which is just hitting the market place. Their model for Canon users is being launched (just) ahead of the Nikon model. Lots of info on Flash Havoc, and lots of links from there to other websites !

You may also find this of interest, since your camera doesn't have a built-in flash and therefore no "commander" mode ......

http://learningdslr.quora.com/Six-Ways-to-Go-Wireless-With-Your-Flash

...... because "off camera" flash can easily become a minefield !

Just for interest I bought a Nissin di866 Mk ii (an ex-demo from eBay UK) which is just phenomenal - high power, easy to use, fires with iTTL (Nikon's version) from my camera's commander mode, and just lately added a Nikon SB700 (because I got it brand new with a 22% discount - I got lucky !) I can now fire both these flashes from my "commander" mode of my camera without even having to fire the camera's in-built flash at all. What a difference it makes to the lighting conditions of the results. I've attached just one very recent pic (yesterday) taken in this method. I'm no pro, but I like it ! And that's all that matters to me !

Good luck and have yourself some fun. But do the research first !

Example with 2 flash units

(Download)

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

I use a high end Canon and have 3 EX600 flash units.
I've done some similar off camera setups with 2 of the EX600's bouncing off the end walls and use the 3rd EX600 as the master plus a bit of fill. I love it! Great for quick setups where you want consistent results that are usually within the scope of easy/quick edits in LR. I love the EX600's ........... powerful and radio controlled, plus I can program each from the rear of my camera which is a huge plus with my aging eyes.

I know, expensive but well worth it for me as I do it for money.

RaydancePhoto

I have 3 Sigma EF-530 Super flashes. The swivel so that I cn use it on camera and swivel it to just about any position. I use it to do quick shots with it on camera by swiveling it to one side and usually pointing up tword the ceiling for bounce light, it works very well.

The Sigma also has slave mode built in, so I can fire all 3 at once.

Big Stopper Loc: London

Thanks Adkhiker. I've seen good reports of the Yonguno and will look closer at this. Also thanks for the recommendation of the Syl Arena book - I had a quick look on Amazon and it's highly regarded. Many thanks, Bob

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Go to youtube and enter "Syl Arena Canon speedlight"

He has some nice classes on youtube he does for Canon. Syl is a speedlight freak ....... the more the better in his book

Big Stopper Loc: London

Hi Geoff, I really appreciate all the info. I've had a quick look at both the flashhavoc site and also the learning dslr site and both appear to have some good stuff on there. BTW, good to hear from you. Cheers, Bob

Big Stopper Loc: London

Thanks Beercat, 3 EX600s? I wish! Anyway, thanks for the suggestion.:-)

Big Stopper Loc: London

Thanks RaydancePhoto. These look like good units and I'll look closer. Cheers, Bob

Big Stopper Loc: London

First of all,thanks to everyone who has offered their suggestions and help.

This is just a thought and no more. I'd appreciate any comments or observations:

as I've previously mentioned, I have a Canon 430EX. If I was to get a previously owned 580EX mkii and another pre-owned 430EX, could I set-up the 580Ex mkii as a master and the two 430EXs as slaves. If so, would I need any other devises to make this set-up work or am I completely barking up the wrong tree.

Many thanks, Bob

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

Yes, the 430's are slaves only, 580 EXII is master or slave. ALL are line of sight infrared trigger only.

You can set groups with the 580 or in your 5D III flash menu, and apply ratios of lighting. Look up Syl Arena's you tube videos, there is one from B&H, that will give plenty of info on your situation. (as someone else posted also)

AdkHiker Loc: Northeast

AdkHiker Loc: Northeast

Big Stopper Loc: London

Thanks to you all for your suggestions. I am getting a better understanding of what I need to do though I will take your advice and do some more research. Cheers, Bob