How can I use off-camera fill flash with E-TTL or meter a Canon 430EX manually?
Asked 3/22/2015
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I use a Canon 550D with a 430EX speedlite. On-camera, E-TTL works normally, but with my current radio triggers the flash only fires and I have to set power manually. My camera also can’t set the flash power through the trigger setup.
Is there an accessory or trigger system that will let me keep E-TTL and possibly control the flash off-camera with this equipment? If not, what’s the practical way to meter and set the flash manually with a Sekonic Flashmate L-308S for off-camera fill? I’d also like to know what an affordable upgrade path would be.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
1
You can use a set of Yongnuo YN-622C triggers to maintain most E-TTL functionality when your 430EX is off camera. Each YN-622C unit is able to act as either a transmitter or a receiver. I prefer to use the YN-622C-TX on camera as it has an LCD that makes setup and changing settings much easier. The YN-622C-TX is a transmitter only. You would then need only one YN-622C to act as receiver attached to your 430EX. The 622C will run about $40 per unit on amazon.com and the 622-TX runs around $45. You can buy a bundled 622C + 622C-TX for about $85.
Another option, depending on how far off camera you want to place the flash, is an E-TTL cable that connects your hot shoe to the flash via a wired connection. They are available in various lengths up to about 10 meters (33 feet).
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. To keep off-camera E-TTL with your Canon 550D and 430EX, you need TTL-capable triggers rather than simple firing-only triggers. Community suggestions included Yongnuo YN-622C units, with the YN-622C-TX transmitter making setup easier, and other TTL radio systems such as PocketWizard TTL, RadioPopper PX, Pixel King, and Phottix Odin. A simpler low-cost option, if you don’t need much distance, is a Canon-compatible E-TTL off-camera cord.
One limitation noted is that the original 430EX may offer only limited remote control with some trigger systems, especially compared with flashes that support full camera-menu control. With some setups, you may get E-TTL and flash exposure compensation, but not full direct remote manual power control.
If you stay with manual flash, use your Sekonic in flash mode at your chosen ISO and shutter speed, fire the flash, and adjust flash power, distance, or aperture until the meter gives the aperture you want. For fill flash, you’d typically set flash lower than the ambient-dominant exposure so it lifts shadows without overpowering the scene.
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