radio slave to 550EX connection help

[brianc]

I decided that it was time I started getting the flash away from the camera. thanks in large part to inspiration of PJ's work. I've got a set of Pocket Wizard radio slave units and my Canon 550EX. The kit comes with a mini to PC-male sync cable. however I am at a loss as to which cable I need to complete the connection from the PC cable to my flash unit.

I;ve tried searching canon's website, but I have not been able to extract useful information

any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks.

[Photo-John]

Canon's Web site won't help you with the PocketWizards. And the connection is always a mystery when you first get them. Frankly, the connection system is lame. What you need (I thnk) is a hotshoe connector. Here's a photo of my setup. My connector is made by Wein and it's really cheesy. Nikon makes one, too. It might be better. I have mine for a few years, though. So I guess it's not as cheesy as it looks and feels.

[brianc]

thanks! the picture helped a ton. Now I have to get myself one, then it's off to be a pest on the local trails and the "New whistler of the East" : Highland Mountian DH/Free Ride resort. Opening this month in central NH.

[berrywise]

Brian,

Did you go for the Pocket Plus? I was just talking to PJ about those via PM a few weeks back. Soon as I get a few dollars in my pocket I think I am going to pick up a pair of those to use. I'm torn though as to whether I should get a second camera body first or not though. Oh I really need to get a money tree.

When ya get it all setup you'll have to share some of your results!

[Sebastian]

Berrywise,

Get a second camera first. The quality of my coverage, news and sports, went up dramatically once I was able to quickly switch between focal lengths. I no longer have to try to guess what lens I should be using in anticipation of something happening, I always have both ready. Plus, the benefit of having a backup.

[berrywise]

Berrywise,

Get a second camera first. The quality of my coverage, news and sports, went up dramatically once I was able to quickly switch between focal lengths. I no longer have to try to guess what lens I should be using in anticipation of something happening, I always have both ready. Plus, the benefit of having a backup.

Yeah that's what I've been thinking as far as practicality. Not to mention my backup camera is a Nikon which entails carrying an entire second bag of lenses around :thumbsup: Now if I could just find a 1Ds mark II for a grand........... The problem is I just like new toys and....okay must maintain focus. Doh!

[brianc]

Pocket Plus

yep. I have the same slave as PJ has in his setup. I figured he was a good person to copy.

when get the adaptor I will definatly post up my success.

[BLS439]

A couple of questions resulting from this post:

How do you meter is the fash is on a radio slave?

Is it not true that the E-TTL/TTL metering is lost?

Do you just use a seperate handheld ambient/flash/spot type meter?

Thanks!
Dave

[Photo-John]

How do you meter is the fash is on a radio slave?

Is it not true that the E-TTL/TTL metering is lost?

Do you just use a seperate handheld ambient/flash/spot type meter?

Any TTL metering is lost with a radio slave. You have meter the flash manually. In the past, with film cameras, you had to use a handheld flash meter. Digital cameras make it a lot easier since you can just shoot tests until you have the flash output tuned up. I have a handlheld meter but haven't bothered using it for a couple of years.

[BLS439]

Hmmm, okay one more question then. Can you set teh PW transmitter on the camera body then put the PW receiver on the 550EX, but set the EX to "Master" and slave a secondary 550EX without an additional PW receiver?

[BLS439]

The answer is "Yes". If anyone else had the same question I did about using PW to control a master flash than can optical (Canon Flashes) to other slaves. It works. It may not be as good as having additional PW receivers, but for the $$$ it works.