off camera flash

I am fed up with the grey light we are constantly getting! Its time for some indoor photography.

I have an AF 360FGZ and would like to use it off the camera to give me more flexibility. What is the best way of doing this and what extra bits of kit will I need without breaking the bank? (the sun will return someday)

Dave

Hi Dave... Radio triggers... My vote goes on Cactus V5's (I have V4's) from Gadget Infinity...
I'd even consider getting a duo-pack of triggers and a second flash (cheap, Chinese & manual only - YN560) so you can spice things up a little more...

Hi Dave, I would strongly recommend buying an Aputure Flash Trigger, available on Amazon. They are approximately £20, work very, very well and have a range of up to 120 metres. They can also trigger your camera remotely (when not using flash) and work in Bulb mode. You can also buy extra receivers if you want to trigger more than one flash.

I have just the one receiver, but also have another flash that is triggered optically (i.e. by the flash from the first unit). This works brilliantly well and was used for the shot below.




Regards
David

Hi,
No extra kit needed if you use it in wireless mode.
Fit it to the camera first (assuming that you are using a Pentax digital SLR with wireless)and make all the appropriate settings to communicate flash with camera. The flash can then be taken off the camera and will still respond as if it was mounted. Plenty of info on Youtube about this...try this one.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFchyocdQRI
Good luck..

Most flashes will not work in wireless mode; I appreciate the Pentax ones do but if additional flashes are used which are not compatible with the Pentax wireless mode, a trigger will be needed. It was good of you to point this out though as I had overlooked the fact that Dave has a Pentax flash!

Regards
David

Thanks for the replies- I have a few queries

Dave does the cactus also work as a remote camera trigger? Does the cost of shipping and Uk tax put the price up much? How is the tax paid? Iassume you can only buy these from Hong Kong.

David which Aputure trigger is for pentax. On amazon non are specified

I think the above systems will be good if I find this type of photography interesting and not too difficult.

Ivan - thanks this is a great way of getting started. The video is really useful

I now need a stand to put the flash on a table - any suggestions.. and then to play....

Dave

Hi Dave, I specifically ordered a Pentax one; not sure why it's not specified now? If you search for 'Aputure Pentax' does that bring up anything?

Edit: This is the type I bought link, but it seems there are no Pentax ones on Amazon anymore - perhaps some new stock will come in soon as it is not long since I bought mine. They are a super bit of kit so I hope you can find one.

Regards
David

Hi,
Try something like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Camera-Hot-Shoe-Mount-Adapter-for-Flash-Bracket-Umbrel...

and screw a mini pod to it. You can then use the tripod actions to direct the flash. If you are worried about the contacts touching the mount just slide some thin plastic film under it.

Job done for less than £2...if you have a tripod that is!

I have a Manfrotto Justin clamp, which is a brilliant piece of kit. You can clamp it onto a surface or use it on a stand, and it comes with a cold shoe on a ball head. Not cheap but very versatile.

Over the past two years I have tried and purchased various radio triggers, I have found the Phottix triggers the best in terms of quality and reliability, I would say they are as good or better than manual Pocket Wizards. A set will cost you roughly £50. You can find them by typing in Phottix in to Google or on Ebay.

I just bought some of the chinese units. Four recievers and a radio trigger for £18. Through Ebay shipped from Jersey. no taxes were asked to be paid. Only work the flashes in manual mode. Though its not hard to get used to that.

Hi Dave... The V4's do not... Not sure about the V5's but Should be mentioned in the 'ClassA' review on the US forum....

I don't remember any charges for postage and there certainly wasn't any customs levy... All very painless!



If you can get your AF360 working in wireless then a YN560 can also be run off camera in slave mode... (I dropped one of my V4 recievers and it broke, so when using 2 flashes off camera I trigger the Vivitar285hv and the YN560 fires in slave)

I have found the Yongnuo RF-602 Radio Triggers 100% reliable, manual mode only for flash sync.

With the relevant cable from the receiver to the cameras remote socket (2.5mm stereo jack plug) they will trigger your camera remotely too with both half press (for auto focus) and full press (for taking the picture). Range around 100 Mts.

The Yongnuo RF-602 Radio Triggers won't work with
Pentax cameras at 1/180th. They are OK, but not quite
100% at 1/100th. They leave a black band across the
bottom of each shot.

I've gone back to Wein IR triggers partly because they
are very fast and I can trigger the flashes for a meter
reading using the Pentax IR remote or a high power IR
remote such as the Seculine.

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