Has anyone tried these $6.50 mini slave flashes?

[falcon7]

<p>Here is a link to super-cheap mini slave flashes. I just got two of them, and am experimenting with them for edification and fun. I am thinking of trying some <strong>DIY</strong> projects with a group of them --like strip lighting or ring lighting. Has anyone tried these or similar cheapo lights, and if so what did you use them for and what was the result. Thanks.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Bracket-Cameras-Camara-Without/dp/B002X3VBFK/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1292807410&sr=8-7">http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Bracket-C … amp;sr=8-7</a></p>

[starvy]

<p>I use optical slaved with my older flashes for the same effect. Mine is a shoestring home studio setup and knowing the guide numbers and positioning is important. Interestingly, I noticed some of these on ebay offered with a Holga just the other day. As long as you are not doing mission critical work and have time to experiment before doing important stuff, they seem like good fun.</p>

[ray_rg]

<p>few more option for similar slave flash but from reputed seller...</p>

<p>http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/654640-REG/Vivitar_SF_4000_SF4000_Bounce_Zoom.html</p>

<p>http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/662375-REG/Zeikos_ZE_DS12_ZE_DS12_Digital_Pro_Slave.html</p>

<p>This post made me interested in buying one of Vivitar SF4000 to use with my third party flash to use it as a background light.</p>

<p> </p>

[RobertChura]

<p>For 30 bucks you can buy one of these. They have settings so you can fire yours and other flashes will not trigger yours. The one you listed is a basic slave that another flash will trigger.<br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/YONGNUO-RF-602-Wireless-Remote-Flash-Trigger-for-Canon_W0QQitemZ260629803195QQcategoryZ64354QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZe17002.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%252BDDSIC%26otn%3D5%26pmod%3D320551044985%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D5840072942859094659</p>

<p>I have bought two of them. They take a couple of weeks to deliver and they work great</p>

[Ray House]

<p>I tried the $20 slaves from Ritz, my Nikon preflashs kept setting them off...</p>

[john_deerfield]

 

<blockquote>

<p>I tried the $20 slaves from Ritz, my Nikon preflashs kept setting them off...</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>You can't use TTL with an optical slave, as you have discovered. You must either use the flash(es) in manual or buy something that ignores the "first" (the preflash) flash and then fires the flash:</p>

<p>http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/674619-REG/Sunpak_DSU_01_DSU_01_Digital_Slave_Unit.html</p>

<p>I have worked with optical slave units, but only with no-critical work. The triggering system just isn't 100% reliable. I taught a class once using inexpensive optical flashes as kickers or accents and the position of the optical slave has to be just right.</p>

 

 

[falcon7]

<p>Kind of a late response but.... I should have clarified something about these super cheap slaves. I've triggered them with my built in flash on my Nikon d200 using <strong>the infrared shield/blocker placed on the hotshoe.</strong> Everything seems to work as it should. The slaves get triggered even when 10 or 15 feet away, and the Nikon shield blocks the on-camera flash so I don't have to worry about 'contamination.' Maybe I'll post a few shots with my $3.79 slaves. An interesting experiment would be to try a set up with my novatrons, then emulate it with these guys, and compare the difference. I don't use TTL, which I never use anway.</p>