430 EX Question

[david israel]

<p>Hello,<br />I need a little help here. I currently own a Canon 430EX flash. I have been doing some reading on some lighting techniques and would love to incorporate an additional flash during a shoot. I know that people can shoot with one flash on top of the camera and then an additional flash on let's say a tripod off to the side. I am aware that you have to have a "Master" and then a "Slave" but I am not to clear on how that all works. I also own and additional flash (a cheapie) Bower brand and would love to be able to use that flash along with my 430EX. Is there any (INEXPENSIVE) way of doing that? Do I need to buy a new flash or some sort of transmitter. Any help or links to help would be greatly appreciated!<br />Thanks,<br />David Israel</p>

[cabbiinc]

<p>The Master/Slave relationship is to retain Canon's eTTL metering. If you want to keep that then you'll need either an ST-E2, 550EX or 580EX. There are third party options too but I'm trying to keep this short. The ST-E2 or a used 550/580 are probably your cheapest options. Basically you have a flash that's capable of being a slave (430EX) but none that can master.</p>

<p>But you could always go with a trigger for the Bower flash. <a href="http://www.flashzebra.com/products/0129/index.shtml">Optical</a> would be ok for around $20. You'd have to set the 430EX on camera to M mode and meter for each flash. It's not nearly as hard as it sounds. You'd put <a href="http://www.flashzebra.com/products/0129/index.shtml">this</a> on your Bower flash and that's it. Well, now you're getting the flash to fire at the same time anyways. That's rarely the end of it. Next you'll want an <a href="http://www.flashzebra.com/brackets/0041.shtml">umbrella adapter </a> so that you can mount an umbrella to soften the light by making the light source larger, and some light stands, etc...<br>

<a href="http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html ">Here's a link</a> that might help. Take from it what you want, you don't <strong>NEED</strong> a flash with a built in PC port for example. There are alternatives to use with your current gear.</p>

[david israel]

<p>Intresting. This is just what I am looking for. I think I will give it a try for the Bower cheapo flash. I will then repost when I have questions about the Umbrella adapter. LOL<br>

Thanks for the help!</p>

<p>David Israel</p>