using 7d as trigger

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Archive 2012 · using 7d as trigger

sandman22
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p.1 #1 · using 7d as trigger

I have a set of 285's in the mailk right now and I was wondering If i need to buy anything extra to trigger these flashes off camera with a 7d or if the 7d pop up flash can do that? If so what what I need to purchase and what is the best bang for your buck option?

Thanks

Ben

Apr 02, 2012 at 07:14 PM

cgardner
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p.1 #2 · using 7d as trigger

Not sure if the 7D has a manual mode without pre-flash, which would pre-maturely trigger normal optical slaves. There are also slaves that ignore the pre-flash but I've never used them personally.

When I used my pair of Vivitars I either used one on a bracket with an 18" Vivitar- PC cord, or on a stand with a 15' Vivitar -PC cord, with the remote flash triggered with a Wein Peanut slave.

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Optical triggering works OK if you aren't around other flash shooters. The Peanut has a range of 100' and I never encountered signalling problems when using them.

FYI - The Vivitars have a proprietary plug that inserts into the base of the flash. There is a set of reed contacts in the base that disconnect the hot shoe contacts when the cord is inserted. The Wein Peanut is designed to either plug directly into the base or onto the end of a PC cord. I found it better to hand on the cord so I could keep it oriented towards the triggering flash.

That was a legacy feature from when the trigger voltage was 300+ volts on the older models. You can find the Vivitar - PC cords at Paramount Cords. If you don't see then on their web site give them a call and inquire.

Apr 02, 2012 at 10:40 PM

BrianO
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p.1 #3 · using 7d as trigger

sandman22 wrote: I have a set of 285's in the mailk right now and I was wondering If i need to buy anything extra to trigger these flashes off camera with a 7d or if the 7d pop up flash can do that?

The pop-up flash always emits preflash pulses, even in manual mode, so it won't work with non-Canon flashes.

You could use a sync cord to trip one of the 285s, and fire the other one with an optical sensor like this one that has a Vivitar-style connector:

http://www.flashzebra.com/products/0140/index.shtml

A more flexible and reliable method, but at higher cost, would be to use radio slaves: one transmitter for the camera, and a receiver for each flash.

Pocket Wizard, Paul C. Buff, Elinchrom, and Phottix are good brands, but if you're just starting out the Cactus v5 is a bargain:

http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/cactus-wireless-flash-transceiver-v5-duo.html

Apr 03, 2012 at 05:52 AM

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