Help understanding off-camera flash ?

twirlagig

I have a Canon 1000d that I've had for ages but it's only really lately that I've been using it regularly. I want to experiment with off-camera flash, but I don't really understand enough about it I was thinking of buying this http://dx.com/p/yongnuo-yn460-speedlite-flash-with-stands-soft-pouch-slave-mode-index-33-5600k-4-aa-32981 and I would like to know if this will work with it http://dx.com/p/canon-oc-e3-compatible-jjc-fc-e3-eos-dedicated-ttl-off-camera-shoe-cord-19612 or is this ok to use with it http://dx.com/p/yongnuo-sc-27a-ttl-multi-flash-sync-cord-3-meter-14323
Any advice/suggestions welcome

Corkbah

Personally I would advise against getting imitation accessories and purchase genuine Canon items, I know there are others on here who will say the chinese imitations will do as good a job and sometimes better.

that all being said .... the flash should work with the off shoe cable and should still give you full TTL function.

the whole idea of off-shoe flash is to get different lighting on the subject instead of the straight forward hot shoe mounted flash (direct or bounced), it allows you to side-light the person or back-light them ...in the same way you would position lights in a studio.

if you have enough money the new 600ex-rt flash and radio transmitter allows you to put the transmitter on the hot shoe and wirelessly control multiple flashes at the same time (I think upto 15 flashes), using the cable oc-e3 which you are looking at simply allows you to move the flash away from the camera, you will still only have one flash/light source which limits your creativity when shooting off-camera flash.

oinkely

http://strobist.blogspot.ie/2006/03/lighting-101.html

start here.....

condra

Cool camera. I have a real soft spot for the 1000d.

Anyway.

Forget TTL. Most strobists work with manual flashes, and adjust them to their own taste. You could end up paying extra for a TTL flash and never use the TTL feature. Something cheap and cheerful like the YN460ii is more than enough.

I disagree with spending extra on official Canon equipment, when the alternatives are so cheap, and so good.

Also, don't bother with sync cords. Radio triggers/transceivers are where it's at if you want affordable, convenient, reliability. A couple of Yongnuo 603s would do the job just great.

Another option if you just want to get stuck in, is to buy a flash that has a built in optical slave feature. That flash can then be slaved to your on-camera flash, and boom, you have dual flash.

The Dublin Strobist group are having meetups over the summer, and beginners are always welcome.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dublinstrobist/

ImagenEstilo

condra wrote: »

Forget TTL.

Well how about that! Forget TTL :-)

If you want to get use out of your flash in an off camera position using a regular radio transmitter in a changing environment (ie anywhere except a fixed studio) with changing lighting conditions then absolutely positively do not forget TTL, it is what you will use almost always.

TTL has one variable, FEC.

Manual flash has 4 variables, flash power, distance to subject, ISO and aperture.

I'll take the 1 variable when I am in a constantly changing situation any day.

Back to the original topic. I believe there are a lot of chinese flashes and triggers that are TTL enabled are pretty good. There are a lot of people on here that use them and swear by them. I only use Nikon branded gear and pocket wizards which are far more expensive but are rock solid reliable. The other products are far more acccessible so they may be worth a look.

Get a TTL enabled flash and trigger. Don't get manual only, you will kick yourself if you do. Manual flash is much harder to master than TTL in a non-fixed environment. If you are only interested in one off camera flash then TTL flash metering will do the trick nicely and simply.

Don't use a cord, use a radio trigger as a previous poster stated, get a cheap softbox for yourself to diffuse the light and allow you more control over its direction. Other than that there is nothing to it, stick your trigger on your hotshoe, reciever on the flash, set flash to a TTL mode and then alter your flash exposure using FEC, nothing more to it once you have a good ambient exposure.

All TTL flashes will have manual functioanlity as standard so if you find you would like to add another off camera flash for some kicker or rim light then you can easily get another identical flash and use the manual functionality on them.

Hope that helps

condra

ImagenEstilo wrote: »

Well how about that! Forget TTL :-)
Get a TTL enabled flash and trigger. Don't get manual only, you will kick yourself if you do.

no you won't

the_monkey

Corkbah wrote: »

if you have enough money the new 600ex-rt flash and radio transmitter allows you to put the transmitter on the hot shoe and wirelessly control multiple flashes at the same time (I think upto 15 flashes), using the cable oc-e3 which you are looking at simply allows you to move the flash away from the camera, you will still only have one flash/light source which limits your creativity when shooting off-camera flash.

Shame the radio transmitter doesn't come with it ... for €450 you would expect it ..

condra

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruEbm4eHESE

ImagenEstilo

condra wrote: »

no you won't

Honestly Condra, for beginners, TTL is the dogs. For veterans like yourself manual does provide more consistency but it's a bugger to handle without chimping or a lightmeter.

I put a little article together on the whole TTL flash process that might interest some.

TTL Flash

Next on the agenda, off-camera flash intro I think!

condra

I don't see it as beginner vs advanced, but rather two different schools of thought. The manual strobist approach is closer to alchemy, there is more trial and error involved, but its cheaper and in my opinion more creative.

Still, by spending extra and going TTL, you still have the option of the manual approach, which can not be said for people who buy non TTL manual flashes.

Nice blog by the way, and kudos for being civil in disagreement.

ImagenEstilo

Civil, I was cursing you the other end of the computer :-)

Most certainly you have more trial and error with manual, even with TTL it is a case of having to ride the FEC dial a bit but the whole idea of TTL is that it makes flash more accessible to those that do not understand flash fully.

I would far sooner use TTL when lighting conditions are constantly changing. If lighting is fixed, I completely agree with you, there is nothing better than manual for consistency.