How do you trigger off camera flash guns?

   Hi all.

I've been doing some research and have found that a lot of photographers use flash guns on a stand with an umbrella for on location fashion shots. I am thinking of doing the same, simply because they are more portable. But I am wondering how I can trigger these without using commander mode, because I would think the extra flash from the camera could ruin the lighting?

I've seen various radio triggers on warehouseexpress, but at almost £200 each, this will cost a lot to trigger 2-3 flash guns. Can you buy one receiver and use one of the flash guns to trigger the others? If anyone has some info on this and can suggest some equipment to use that would be great.

Cheers

Chris

Edited by CSkinner - 24 Nov 2010 at 12:18pm

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CSkinner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 30 Aug 2010 Location: London, UK Posts: 407	Post Options Post Reply Quote CSkinner Report Post Quote Reply Topic: How do you trigger off camera flash guns? Posted: 24 Nov 2010 at 12:18pm
	Hi all. I've been doing some research and have found that a lot of photographers use flash guns on a stand with an umbrella for on location fashion shots. I am thinking of doing the same, simply because they are more portable. But I am wondering how I can trigger these without using commander mode, because I would think the extra flash from the camera could ruin the lighting? I've seen various radio triggers on warehouseexpress, but at almost £200 each, this will cost a lot to trigger 2-3 flash guns. Can you buy one receiver and use one of the flash guns to trigger the others? If anyone has some info on this and can suggest some equipment to use that would be great. Cheers Chris Edited by CSkinner - 24 Nov 2010 at 12:18pm
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tomcat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 22 Mar 2011 Location: London Posts: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote tomcat Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Mar 2011 at 8:10pm
	Hi What type of flash guns are you using? And at what distances

mav Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 Nov 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 540	Post Options Post Reply Quote mav Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Mar 2011 at 3:07am
	There are tons of cheap wireless flash trigger sets on ebay, just check the feedbacks on a few sets to see if they are worth buying or not. I know a lot of folk like Alienbees but they are expensive compared to the ebay jobs.

Spark Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Mar 2010 Location: Scotland Posts: 116	Post Options Post Reply Quote Spark Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Aug 2011 at 12:57pm
	Some can be triggered by an IR trigger; there are cheaper wireless transmitters here: www.studio-flash.com Hope this helps s
	Steven There are no silly questions, only silly answers

Roscoe Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 17 Apr 2010 Posts: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Roscoe Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 Nov 2011 at 6:46am
	Use your commander mode and turn the flash head away from the subject, if your outside nothing will be affected.

interfitcanonman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 17 Dec 2011 Location: cleveland Posts: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote interfitcanonman Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Dec 2011 at 5:44pm
	I use canon 580 ex II on my 5d markII camera this is set as master and set to not fire. when the trigger is pressed it will fire a pre burst. However this will only activate the slave flash mounted on a light stand. the pre burst you see is not in sync with the shutter therfore it is not captured. To do this your slave flash needs to be in line of sight to trigger it. This is great if you want to use TTL (Through The Lens) metering. If you want to use a slave flash lets say behind a door then you will reguire a radio trigger EBAY for about £15.00 Infrared will not work in this situation. You can use a TTL off camera flash cord. I have used 5 x 3mtr lengths of these conected together, giving me 15 meters of cable to playwith. You can buy these on ebay too I paid approx £35 each.

Fab Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 147	Post Options Post Reply Quote Fab Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Jan 2012 at 4:13pm
	I would recommend wireless transmitters. The problem with infra red is that there are many situations when they will not work. We use Elinchrom skyport. We have one transmitter and a number of receivers that plug into our flashes. The problem with flash guns is that if you are using them outside in bright sunlight, they may not give off enough light to to trigger each other. We find that we do need a receiver for each one in order to make sure that they all go off. Fab
	Learn the secrets that will immediately transform your photographs at www.karltaylorphotography.com

Spark Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Mar 2010 Location: Scotland Posts: 116	Post Options Post Reply Quote Spark Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Feb 2012 at 6:53pm
	I originally used an IR transmitter from interfit (it worked fine) but now have godox wireless triggers from studio direct (elemental)which also work fine.
	Steven There are no silly questions, only silly answers

jssm Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 30 Nov 2011 Location: Denmark Posts: 46	Post Options Post Reply Quote jssm Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 19 Feb 2012 at 7:35pm
	I use this http://youtu.be/Q7d5X5PMZY8

FredericB Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 21 Nov 2011 Location: Switzerland Posts: 56	Post Options Post Reply Quote FredericB Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 2012 at 2:36pm
	Hello, I use a Cactus V5 to radio trigger my flash. Just keep in mind only manual flash will work NO TTL. If you need TTL you'll have to look at Pocket Wizard Mini and Flex Cheers Fred
	Canon 7D, EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L II, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Visit my flickr : http://www.flickr.com/photos/fbernabo/ Http://FredericBphotography.com