Confused about PW connection to flash

[chris_m14]

I'm so confused about what cords to get for PWs and a 580 EX. I have a 430 EX,

and I'm looking to purchase a 580 EX and a couple of Pocket Wizard Plus II. I

want to be able to use the 580 as the master and the 430 as the slave. I know I

need this cord (<A HREF="http://www.paramountcords.com/proddetail.asp?prod=pw-

mhsf1">http://www.paramountcords.com/proddetail.asp?prod=pw-mhsf1</A>) to

connect the 580 to the PW, but would it be better to get one of these instead:

<A

HREF="http://www.paramountcords.com/ttl.asp">http://www.paramountcords.com/ttl.a

sp</A>. If so, why and which one? Thanks!

[ellis_vener_photography]

the second cord if you are planning on using the near camera in TTL mode and use the Pw to trigger other flashes. The other "slaved" flash(es) will have to be in manual mode.

[leo_aquino]

Do you want to keep the master on the camera or off of it? If you are going to keep the master on the camera, you will not need the PW units.

 

If you want the master off camera, how far from the camera do you want it? If only two feet or less and you want to retain ETTL functionality, you can get the Canon off-shoe cord 2 or 3. Don't bother with the Paramount version of this cord since the extra cord attachment for the PW won't be of use to you.

 

With two 580EX and one 430EX flashes, you should be able to keep the master on the camera and use it for fill lighting. The off camera 580EX can be used as the main flash and the 430EX can be used for background lighting or hair lighting. And they can all work in the ETTL wireless remote configuration. The PW units won't be needed in this configuration.