Off camera flash????????

[Cutter]

Hi everyone I am in the market for an off camera flash for my canon 50d. I have heard that a metze ( I think thats what its called )is a good one or should I go for a canon?
What would I need to trigger it? I have a interfit transmitter for my studio lights. any advice is greatfully recieved.

[Forseti]

Not entirely sure what you mean by 'an off camera flash' - could it be that that you are wanting to use your current flash off-camera?

Based on the assumption that it's the latter, then I also assume that you are aware that if you own the 580EX Canon flash unit (not sure about the xxx model) then you can trigger this off-camera using the cameras in-built flash so long as the in-built flash is 'looking' at the red panel on the front of the off-camera flash unit. In this instance the off-camera flash needs to be set to 'slave' with the in-built flash as 'master'. Whilst in the most part this works OK indoors it has limitation outdoors because bright sunny conditions say can overpower the in-built cameras flash output so that the slave unit doesn't see it.

By far the best method (although not cheap) is the use of Pocket Wizards which use radio signals and are also versatile, reliable and easy to set up. Rather than go into a lengthy description, take a look at this short tutorial video which will give you the idea much better than reading about it - http://www.pocketwizard.com/inspirat...ction_mini_tt/ .

A couple of points worth noting: there are alternatives to the Pocket Wizards which I have read from time to time on other forums which are considerably cheaper by all accounts. I personally believe that if something is 'too cheap' then it's probably either cheaply made, lacks in overall functionality or is otherwise missing something. A sceptical approach I know but that's me. The other thing worthy of note is that whatever you buy that is electrical always ensure it has the CE designation - in other words approved for use in Europe. There is always the risk of one piece of apparatus using radio signals actually interfering with another piece of equipment and in the case of the Pocket Wizards (like a lot of other things) the radio frequency used varies from market to market.

[Cutter]

Originally Posted by Forseti

Not entirely sure what you mean by 'an off camera flash' - could it be that that you are wanting to use your current flash off-camera?

Based on the assumption that it's the latter, then I also assume that you are aware that if you own the 580EX Canon flash unit (not sure about the xxx model) then you can trigger this off-camera using the cameras in-built flash so long as the in-built flash is 'looking' at the red panel on the front of the off-camera flash unit. In this instance the off-camera flash needs to be set to 'slave' with the in-built flash as 'master'. Whilst in the most part this works OK indoors it has limitation outdoors because bright sunny conditions say can overpower the in-built cameras flash output so that the slave unit doesn't see it.

By far the best method (although not cheap) is the use of Pocket Wizards which use radio signals and are also versatile, reliable and easy to set up. Rather than go into a lengthy description, take a look at this short tutorial video which will give you the idea much better than reading about it - http://www.pocketwizard.com/inspirat...ction_mini_tt/ .

A couple of points worth noting: there are alternatives to the Pocket Wizards which I have read from time to time on other forums which are considerably cheaper by all accounts. I personally believe that if something is 'too cheap' then it's probably either cheaply made, lacks in overall functionality or is otherwise missing something. A sceptical approach I know but that's me. The other thing worthy of note is that whatever you buy that is electrical always ensure it has the CE designation - in other words approved for use in Europe. There is always the risk of one piece of apparatus using radio signals actually interfering with another piece of equipment and in the case of the Pocket Wizards (like a lot of other things) the radio frequency used varies from market to market.

Thanks Forseti another great reply, just what I wanted, think I will go for the pocket wizard it sounds like its all you would ever need. Hows Alpino doing?

[Forseti]

[quote=Cutter;15461 Hows Alpino doing?[/quote]

Just fine thanks - now fully kitted out and ready to eat some dirt. One further point about the Pocket Wizards: think carefully about your current requirements but equally, your future requirements. As you'll have noted from the video (assuming you've watched it) these things come in a couple of variations i.e. a simple transmitter, a receiver or a transmitter/receiver. For a basic set up you obviously need a Tx to fit on the camera and a Rx fitted to the flash head. However, before diving in and ordering I would recommend having a careful think about what your requirements/desires/needs might be a couple of years down the road from now where possibly dual purpose units i.e. combined Tx/Rx's may be the better choice. My own preference is for 2 x Flex TT5 Tx/Rx's but don't let this persuade you one way or the other as your requirements can, and probably will be, different to mine.

[Cutter]

Originally Posted by Forseti

Just fine thanks - now fully kitted out and ready to eat some dirt. One further point about the Pocket Wizards: think carefully about your current requirements but equally, your future requirements. As you'll have noted from the video (assuming you've watched it) these things come in a couple of variations i.e. a simple transmitter, a receiver or a transmitter/receiver. For a basic set up you obviously need a Tx to fit on the camera and a Rx fitted to the flash head. However, before diving in and ordering I would recommend having a careful think about what your requirements/desires/needs might be a couple of years down the road from now where possibly dual purpose units i.e. combined Tx/Rx's may be the better choice. My own preference is for 2 x Flex TT5 Tx/Rx's but don't let this persuade you one way or the other as your requirements can, and probably will be, different to mine.

LOL you know me so well Forseti, promise not to buy before I have decided my requirments. EAT SOME DIRT LOL you must have watched easy rider the film