Need help with triggering off camera flashes with the popup

[deryk_eynon]

<p>Hey, I'm new to this forum, and I have a question that's been bugging me for a while and I've tried to find the answer online, and in my manual.<br>

I'm having trouble with triggering my Nissin DI866 flash from my popup. I know my 7D is capable because I've read it, seen it and used it, but here's my problem. If I'm close up to the flash and I rotate my camera into portrait position (flash on the right), the flash won't fire. I can control the flash with the on camera menu, but the flash won't fire every time, and sometimes not at all. And if I try to use another small cheap flash to get a two sided flash, only one flash will fire.<br>

I don't know if this is making any sense, but it is getting frustrating. Both off camera flashes are set to slave.</p>

<p>Thanks for any time you can spare...</p>

<p>Deryk</p>

[fridrik_skulason]

<p>Normally I would just have suggested getting a cheap Cactus set - gives you much more flexibility in the long run, but unfortunately, the Nissin is not compatible with that, uh...sorry, I don't have any suggestions for you.</p>

[matt_white4]

<p>Actually, the Nissin 866 does work with inexpensive radio triggers, including all versions of the cactus. It's the lower Nissin 622 that doesn't work with non-ETTL radio triggers.</p>

[randallfarhy]

<p>Radio triggers are the way to go, if compatible. Triggering with the pop up is iffy at best, line of sight, distance, ambient light, time of day, phase of the moon all seem to affect the performance and reliability of it's use. </p>

[deryk_eynon]

<p>Yeah, I thought the radio is the way to go. Line of sight isn't a problem and outside is less of an issue. I'll check out the Cactus. I haven't heard good things about the Pocket Wizards and the Radio Poppers are way too expensive. Thanks...</p>

<p>Deryk</p>

<p>PS. What about the Yong Nuo ST-E2, or the RF-602? I know the 602 really isn't compatible with the 866, but the ST-E2 is and also has ETTL. I also want to get a few flashes off the camera, so does that change anything?</p>

[sarah_fox]

<p>I use a half dozen of the RF602s that I use on my Vivitars. If your 866 has a center-pin trigger or a PC cord trigger, then the RF602 should work. Of course it will be manual only -- no ETTL.</p>

<p>Five of my 6 radio slaves work beautifully and have a very long range -- at least 130', which is as long a distance as I'm likely to use -- and as far as I can walk, out my back door without falling into the water. (I didn't bother testing farther.) I asked a friend to range-test his prior to my ordering mine, and he got his to trigger behind several cars in a parking lot at a distance of a few hundred feet. He couldn't walk any farther without losing sight of his flash.</p>

<p>Now that 6th slave is a runt. It's only good to about 30'. I asked the ebay seller if he would refund 1/2 for the runt, and he agreed.</p>

<p>So far the RF602 units have performed very well for me. No complaints.</p>

[markonestudios]

<p>Check out Paul Buff's Cybersyncs. I use them and have found them very reliable and very reasonably priced.</p>

[deryk_eynon]

<p>Hmmm. Thanks I'll check out the Cybersyncs too.</p>

<p>Sarah, what body are you using and can you control them from the camera? I'm assuming the manual only means not, but you mentioned the ETTL. I want to control them from my camera menu... Save time running back and forth.</p>

[sarah_fox]

<p>The good news: You should be able to trigger from any hotshoe. I own a 5D, a 40D, and a G11. All three are compatible, as should be any other camera in the EOS or Powershot G-series line (and lots of others).</p>

<p>The bad news: No ETTL, and no control of flashes from your camera's menu. You have to run back and forth. It's good for you. ;-)</p>

[deryk_eynon]

<p>Funny... ; )</p>

[deryk_eynon]

<p>What about the Cactus V5 vs the V4, or the Pixel King or the Odin TTL?</p>