Comments on: GadgetInfinity “ebay” Radio Flash Slaves Review

By: Topmach

Topmach — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

The random problems with the Canon 430EX and the Gadget Infinity triggers can be reduced somewhat quite easily. Based on discussions I’ve seen on this topic, i believe the problem is that the 430ex emits E-M radiation that builds up in the triggers and fires them. Based on that assumption, I have configured one of my receivers to shield the receiver from the radiation.

My technique is quite simple. Place a piece of electrical or gaffers tape over the PC port. Then cut a 4-5 inch long, 3/4 to one inch wide piece of aluminum foil. Tape one end to the receiver and then wrap the foil around the receiver taking care not to cover the switch or little red trigger light. It seems to be all right to have the foil touching the actual flash shoe receptacle.

Immediate problem. You have to take it apart to change the battery or set the wireless channel. The Radio Shack 3 volt AAA battery packs can take care of the battery change problem. The channel switching shouldn’t be a problem unless you change channels more than on setup.

How well does it work. Pretty well, but far from perfectly. Shielding EM radiation is not an exact science. If any readers have further insights, Please post or write me directly at walkerwg@yahoo.com BTW, I apologize for the formatting. I drafted this with paragraphs but am unfamiliar with PHP code.

By: Chris Garrett

Chris Garrett — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Seems the 580ex, or at least mine, doesn’t exhibit this problem thankfully but thanks for posting as I am sure it might help others

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Hi
I have a 580 EX and been reading about all the problems with the canon flashes. Did you did any modification to 580 like you mention for the 430? have you try using the 16 channel?

Thanks

By: Chris Garrett

Chris Garrett — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Personally I got everything out of the boxes and tried it, all worked first time. The only one with random firing was on an Nikon SB-28 when it got too close to the other Nikons ..

By: Max Cascone

Max Cascone — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I like this writeup. What about cheapo eBay flashes? Are any of them any good? Wouldn’t it be worth it to get a few cheapo flashes to experiment with? Which ones are good, and which ones should be avoided?

By: Chris Garrett

Chris Garrett — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

The cheap ebay flashes dont seem a lot cheaper than used SB-24,25,26 or 28s?

By: Max Cascone

Max Cascone — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I’m a canon guy right now… although i’ve heard nikon flashes can be retrofitted for canon?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I am a canon guy (350d/rebel xt), I do have a 580ex for on-camera use but my favourite flashes are my three nikons (1xsb-26 and 2x sb-28s). As you would use manual when the flash is off camera anyway they are far better bang for buck than any canon flash you might use (canon flashes with manual operation tend to be way more pricey and no better performing).

For on camera use you are stuck with canon but off camera, world is your oyster. Here is how I connect canon dslr to nikon flashes.

By: Max Cascone

Max Cascone — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I was thinking along those lines but wasn’t sure I was correct – thanks for clearing it up. So an SB-26/28 with an ebay remote trigger would be pretty slick huh? All for less than a 430EX?

By: Chris Garrett

Chris Garrett — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Yup :O)

By: orlson

orlson — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

anyone here uses it with the 430ex?? i dont wanna be a white rat for this.
manual firing… sigh. the ST-E2 is just too expensive to get.

By: Max Cascone

Max Cascone — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Well it’s x-mas and i just got a canon 430EX. Assorted gadgets include the off-camera cord and an umbrella bracket (and an umbrella). So i’m set for canon flash for the moment but of course i want to get it off the camera asap. Ebay remotes here I come!

By: Dave Webber

Dave Webber — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Chris,
I am based in the UK
I can see that you are now well into it so i have a few questions as regards this unit.
I cannot at the moment afford a dedicated Canon Flash
My set up is Canon 20D plus two strobes Nikon sb24 I am looking at the pc conection on both parts and they look to be both female( Canon 20d female and the sb24 female)
Does it matter ie do you need them to make these units work

Regards

Dave

By: Chris Garrett

Chris Garrett — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I just use the slaves straight on the hotshoe connection, you don’t have to use cables if you don’t want to

By: daveawebber

daveawebber — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Thanks Chris,
Now you have had these a few months are they still performing as they were when you first tried them, or have they given up.

By: Chris Garrett

Chris Garrett — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

They have worked out great, I even got another set and gave Damian a spare set too. The best thing is they are cheap enough to have standbys in case batteries run out or you drop one etc

By: Chris Garrett

Chris Garrett — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I would be wary of trying the 430 – so many people have said the trigger doesn’t work with it. You don’t get any eTTL, just a plain old manual firing I am afraid

By: orlson

orlson — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Hi Chris,
i’ve always wanted to get the trigger from Gadgetinfinity, i even saw the solution in strobist on how to prevent it from misfiring. One thing that has been bothering me, does eTTL still works with it? or do you set the 430ex into manual mode for wireless flash?

thanks

By: Chris Garrett

Chris Garrett — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

It might be a similar issue to the Canon 430?

By: Jon MacKinnon

Jon MacKinnon — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Hmm possibly! I’m going to try and insulate it with the tin foil technique on the strobist flickr group, but for now I just ordered a PC/Hot Shoe adapter. I’ll keep you updated.