Comments on: Canon PW TTL update and Nikon questions answered

By: damien

damien — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:14:10 +0000

I find the ST-E2 more reliable and it has slightly more range than the 580 in master mode. Inside though you will have no problems with either the 580 or an ST-E2. If you have 2 Speedlights you don’t want to waste one using it as a master unless that is you want some light from the on camera unit. I’d buy an ST-E2 to act as a master and have both Speedlights for off camera use at my disposal. Damien.

By: Nigel

Nigel — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:13:17 +0000

Hi Damien

Thanks for your reply, I have read that the line of sight was not that much of an issue like the ST-E2 just as lone as the controlling pre flash can be seen.

Am I wrong in this thinking

I am mainly doing corporate portraits inside so I wondering if having two 580s would be ok

Many thanks
NIgel

By: damien

damien — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:00:56 +0000

Hi Noel,

Thanks for the suggestion. I forgot about that. Joseph Viola, a photographer and friend of mine has one and it works really well. I expect a bit of Lee R72 filter stuck on the face of the pop up flash would do the job too. Damien.

By: damien

damien — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:04:29 +0000

Hi Nigel,
The Mini & Flex advantages are:
• Non line of sight triggering (This is a biggie)
• More efficient high speed sync
• Can trigger other makes of flashgun in manual mode

The Canon system works well with the following limitations:
• Careful rigging of flash needed to ensure line of sight with camera
• Can’t be used outside with the flash behind the camera or obscured by a brolly etc.

If you get the Canon 580 EX11 flash you will have a system ready to go for £350 and you can always add the PW system in the future to free up your second flash once you are ready to take your lighting to the next level or if you need to use two flashguns off camera.

Regards, Damien.

By: damien

damien — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:50:04 +0000

Hi Tibor, Your C1 and C2 settings are the same as mine. The camera model selection has no impact on manual mode C2 type work. It is to allow more effecient high speed sync timing.

By: Tibor Ogrizek

Tibor Ogrizek — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:19:56 +0000

Thanks Damien. I have now set up my C1 on Flex to receive just on the ControlTL Rx Channel for E-TTL II work. For C2 I have set up the Flex to receive just on the Standard Rx Channel for Manual flash work. A question though. I have an EOS 40D so I chose the 40D field from the Camera Model drop down menu under the Misc tab. I understand this is important when working in E-TTL II mode but was wondering if this setting is of any importance when working in Manual flash mode?

You also mentioned that using a 580EX II on top of a Mini is not a good idea, so I was wondering if a flash bracket, like this from Really Right Stuff http://reallyrightstuff.com/flash/04.html would do. I was thinking of connecting the Mini to a camera hotshoe, putting a 580EX II on the bracket and connecting the two with an OC-E3 cable.

Also, when setting up my Mini and Flex I found these instructions quite helpfull http://www.pocketwizard.com/inspirations/tutorials/pocketwizard_utility/

I am looking forward to the 1 December TTL Workshop I`ll be attending. Thanks!

By: Nigel Bird

Nigel Bird — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:28:41 +0000

Hi Damien

Thanks for all your review work with the new pocket wizards
it really helpful. But I am still not sure what to go for. Can you summerize the benifits of using the Mini and flex over buying another 580ex and using there in built communications.

Many thanks
NIgel

By: Karl Bratby

Karl Bratby — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:34:34 +0000

great advise damien, i agree the su800 is a must even with the pocket wizard on its way, its a great piece of kit as is the SC-29.

By: Andy Rapkins

Andy Rapkins — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:26:38 +0000

Have been wondering whether to get an SU-800 or not with the PWs hopefully being available soon so this is a timely article for me! Thanks for the information Damien.

By: Noel Hillis

Noel Hillis — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:22:42 +0000

Thanks Damien, looking forward to trying Pocket Wizards with my Nikon. As an aside, the very useful Nikon SG-3IR (though a bit awkward for large hands) allows you to use the pop up speedlight on a D300 and D700 to trigger remote flashes by blocking the visible light and letting the IR through. Result – no blinks!