EX flashes

I have a 580EX that I want to get off camera, but have discovered that Canon's system doesn't play nice with slave gizmos or other non-EX style flashes. Neither do I want to spend $400 CAD on the ST-E2 wireless transmitter.

Upon (re)searching used flashes, I've come across a 380EX for a reasonable price, (less than 1/2 the price of the ST-E2).

Does anyone have any experience with the 380EX? Since it's an older model, there is little information on how it will operate in conjunction with the 580. Would I need a sync cord to do get the two flashes to talk to each other?

Thots?

Edit: never mind - I just found some literature that states that the 380EX cannot be used as a master/slave . Am now looking into the 420EX...:rolleyes:

Nope, the 380 can't be a master or a slave.
The 420EX (also discontinued) and later models can be a slave.

This may be useful:
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography...peedlites.html

Thanks for your reply, Paul.

There's a used 420EX listed online that I can get through the local camera shop; I've asked them to bring it in from the mother store (another city) so I can take a look at it. It's not much more than the 380, and the store has an excellent return policy, even on used items.

I managed to find the manual for it too, http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...nloadDetailAct

Cheers,

Cath, depending on what you're looking to do, there are *far* cheaper (and better?) ways to go off camera with your flashes. Via eBay, I have a complete off camera flash setup with 2 flashes for under $100. I have since added a 430EXII (Christmas present), and it's really a great setup. You can see exactly what in my signature, below.

Now, that's a great setup - as long as you don't need a ton of speed and your subject is fairly static. The Canon system has the advantage, via E-TTL, to adjust output constantly to where ever the subject is, just like on-camera.

If you want to find out more about a setup like mine, check out http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/