How to Use Multiple Canon Speedlights
While most professional photographers find that a studio strobe kit is ideal for getting good lighting in less than ideal situations, or for professional shoots like weddings, a lighter setup for traveling and remote situations without AC power can be created by using multiple speedlights. Canon has several flashes, and as long as you have one 580EX II to act as the wireless commander, or have the Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2, you can use other flashes such as the 430EX II as fill flashes by configuring them as slave flashes.
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Things You'll Need
- 1 580EX II Flash
- Off-camera shoe cord
- Flash bracket
- 1-2 Canon 580EX II or 430EX II flashes
- Flash light stand mount
- Diffusers
Instructions
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1
Mount the camera on the flash bracket. Most flash brackets have a standard threaded mount that the camera can screw to.
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2
Slide the master 580EX II flash onto the off-camera shoe of the Off-camera Shoe Cord, then mount the unit to the top of the flash bracket by sliding it into place and switching the lock switch at the base of the flash.
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3
Slide the camera end of the off-camera shoe cord into the hot shoe of your Canon D-SLR and lock it in place using the twist knob at the base of the shoe cord.
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4
Set the 580EX II master flash to Master Group A from the controls on the back of the unit by pressing "Zoom" and holding it for two seconds, then rotating the dial until Master is shown, then press Set. Rotate the dial again until A is displayed under Group, then press "Set."
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5
Set the slave flash(es) to Slave, Group B, by pressing the "Zoom" button for two seconds, then rotating the dial until Slave is displayed, then press "Set." Rotate the dial until B is shown under Group, then press "Set."
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6
Slip the diffusers in place over the flash head units. These will soften the light so that it appears more natural.
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7
Mount the slave flashes on the flash holder light stand brackets by sliding them in place and locking the units to the brackets. Place the stands in the appropriate configuration for your shoot. Typically, the slave flashes will be at a 45-degree angle from the subject you are shooting.
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8
Set the output power for the slave flashes by pressing the "Mode" button on the master flash until M is showing. Rotate the dial until B is blinking, then press "Set," then rotate the dial again to increase or decrease the slave flash's output in comparison to the master flash.
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9
Take your picture by depressing the shutter button halfway to engage autofocus, then depressing the shutter.
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Tips & Warnings
A Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 can be used as a master commander on the camera's hot shoe. With this approach, you would not use a flash bracket, as you would be placing two to three flashes on lightstands and triggering them via the ST-E2.
The output for the master flash can also be increased or decreased by pressing the "Mode" button and selecting Group A from the display, then adjusting the settings.
The sensor on the slave flash has to have some angle of view toward the master flash or ST-E2, or it will not fire -- for example it will not fire if the slave flash is 180 degrees from the master flash.
References
- Photo Credit George Doyle/Stockbyte/Getty Images
