Optical Slave / Auto-Flash for Canon S3 IS

[GoTeeGuy]

OK... I was planning to join a photography forum (not sure which one though...) to ask this, but thought I'd try here first.

About 2yrs ago I traded in my Canon Elan 7e SLR film camera for a Canon S3 IS, as my wife and I were expecting our first child and wanted to have a good digital camera that also had the ability to record video. The camera also had to be easy enough for my wife to operate, as she was intimidated by DSLR's. I did lots of research and finally decided the S3 was a very good camera for the price, despite not having RAW capture or a hot shoe. (I've since installed the CHDK 'hack' to allow for RAW capture.)

Flash photography was something I learned back in my first years of Graphic Design (approx. 20yrs ago) on a cheap Vivitar setup. It was also about the last time I ever thought about flash photography. Soon afterwards, I sold my photography gear and did not get another SLR until about 8yrs ago, but even then I did not tend to do much flash photography... mostly outdoor shots with available light.

The S3 does not have a very strong pop-up flash (only shoots about 15ft at best) and, as such, I am wanting to augment the camera with a stronger flash. Unfortunately, the S3 is not equiped with a hot shoe so I am limited to using a digital optical slave trigger with an off-camera flash. There is a Canon flash accessory (the HF-DC1?) which is essentially the same idea with an optical trigger and an auto-flash, but the flash only shoot approx. 30ft. (Still not good enough for wedding shots...)

I have found several digital optical slave triggers which will ignore the pre-flashes on the S3, but am now trying to decide which flash would work best in this setup. I'm thinking that an auto-flash would be best, as it would control the amount of light required to properly illuminate a scene and not require any form of TTL, E-TTL, etc information to be shared with the camera.

Are there any inexpensive (less than $100.00) auto-flashes available that would work for this purpose? If so, which one would you recommend? Also,... and most importantly... how do you use an auto-flash?

Sorry for the long post!

[jzono1]

Just go with a dumb strobe. It's hard to beat vivitars for power/price. Without any ttl you'll need some luck no matter what you do, so why not get a manual one?

[Rei]

I believe that the S3's flash can be set to manual power with no preflash. If that is the case, a Nikon SB-26 has a built in optical slave, and you can trip it with the S3's manual flash. You can get a SB-26 for about 100 bucks on ebay.

If you are looking to buy new, then you should get the Vivitar 285HV. They are awesome, and have been awesome for a long time.

If you want to splurge, and the S3's flash can be set to manual power with no preflash, then you should take a look at the set ups here:
http://www.mpex.com/page.htm?PG=Strobist%20Kits

Specifically the 2nd Light Optical Kit (SO1).
203 bucks and comes with all these goodies:
1 - Vivitar 285HV Shoe Mount Flash
1 - 8ft. Air Cushioned Light Stand
1 - Fotodiox Optical Slave
1 - Westcott 43” Compact Umbrella - Soft Silver
1 - Rosco Pro Color Correction Gel Pack
1 - DIY Grid, Barndoor, Snoot kit
1 - CTA Ni-MH 2700mAh AA 4-pack Battery w/Rapid Charger
1 - Bongo Elastic Ties (10 pack)
1 - Umbrella Swivel
1 - Nano Gaffer Tape roll 1"x8yds

Just some ideas, but at the very least an optical slave, 285HV, stand, and umbrella are the way to go for a second light set-up.

[GoTeeGuy]

I believe that the S3's flash can be set to manual power with no preflash. If that is the case, a Nikon SB-26 has a built in optical slave, and you can trip it with the S3's manual flash. You can get a SB-26 for about 100 bucks on ebay.

If you are looking to buy new, then you should get the Vivitar 285HV. They are awesome, and have been awesome for a long time.

If you want to splurge, and the S3's flash can be set to manual power with no preflash, then you should take a look at the set ups here:
http://www.mpex.com/page.htm?PG=Strobist%20Kits

Thanks for the great response. I've actually been doing a ton of research on this and have narrowed my possible flashes down to 4 (which includes the Vivitar 285HV); they are the Vivitar 283 with a VP-1 variable power adapter, the Vivitar 285HV, the SunPac 333, and the Sunpac 383.

I actually prefer the flash not to have its own optical trigger, as shooting at a wedding reception I would be worried that the flashes from other people's cameras would fire my flash. Instead, I plan to use a trigger made by Sonia and linked to a hot shoe via a pc cable. The trigger will be located directly in front of my pop-up flash and will be covered to ensure it is not triggered pre-maturely and so that there will be no misfires in direct sunlight.

The only differences that I can see between these 4 models is the tilt / swivel / zoom capabilities. All seem to be great flashes with a GN of 120 @ ISO 100 and each have their own strengths and weaknesses... Right now, I'm debating whether or not the swivel or zoom features would be much use to me, as the flash is going to be used as my primary flash for shooting a friends wedding. I think it may just come down to which one is available for the best deal on eBay.

If SWMBO didn't have a say in this, I'd be all over that kit from MPEX... that is one sweeeet kit!!!!!! :w00t:

Do you have any opinions on the other flashes mentioned?

Thanks again for your help!

[Rei]

Thanks for the great response. I've actually been doing a ton of research on this and have narrowed my possible flashes down to 4 (which includes the Vivitar 285HV); they are the Vivitar 283 with a VP-1 variable power adapter, the Vivitar 285HV, the SunPac 333, and the Sunpac 383.

I actually prefer the flash not to have its own optical trigger, as shooting at a wedding reception I would be worried that the flashes from other people's cameras would fire my flash. Instead, I plan to use a trigger made by Sonia and linked to a hot shoe via a pc cable. The trigger will be located directly in front of my pop-up flash and will be covered to ensure it is not triggered pre-maturely and so that there will be no misfires in direct sunlight.

The only differences that I can see between these 4 models is the tilt / swivel / zoom capabilities. All seem to be great flashes with a GN of 120 @ ISO 100 and each have their own strengths and weaknesses... Right now, I'm debating whether or not the swivel or zoom features would be much use to me, as the flash is going to be used as my primary flash for shooting a friends wedding. I think it may just come down to which one is available for the best deal on eBay.

If SWMBO didn't have a say in this, I'd be all over that kit from MPEX... that is one sweeeet kit!!!!!! :w00t:

Do you have any opinions on the other flashes mentioned?

Thanks again for your help!
At that point, it is kind of like trying to choose between van der hagen and williams. I don't mean that in a bad way, as my favorite soap is williams, but in the end, it comes down to personal taste.

I've used the 283, 285 and 383. I have not used the 333. Of those, I personally would pick them in this order. 285, 383, 333, 283.

[GoTeeGuy]

I'm admittedly a bit hesitant about the reintroduced 285HV's, I've read quite a number of negative reviews which mention questionable quality control (e.g., smoking units, stop working after a few weeks, etc.) :eek:; however, the 'vintage' units seem to be real work horses. I've been watching a few on eBay, but they're selling for around the same price as a 383 brand new, so I think I'm leaning more towards the 383 instead.

I was curious about the 333 because it has tilt / swivel / zoom and variable output; however, the only one I have seen on eBay the seller won't confirm the condition of the unit -- only that it is "clean". :001_huh: So... I think I'm just going to suck up the price of a new unit and purchase a brand new 383 instead. A bit more than what I was hoping to spend, but I'd rather have a flash that I know is not going to burn out in the middle of a wedding shoot.

I am curious though, as to why you disfavour the 283...

[Rei]

I'm admittedly a bit hesitant about the reintroduced 285HV's, I've read quite a number of negative reviews which mention questionable quality control (e.g., smoking units, stop working after a few weeks, etc.) :eek:; however, the 'vintage' units seem to be real work horses. I've been watching a few on eBay, but they're selling for around the same price as a 383 brand new, so I think I'm leaning more towards the 383 instead.

I was curious about the 333 because it has tilt / swivel / zoom and variable output; however, the only one I have seen on eBay the seller won't confirm the condition of the unit -- only that it is "clean". :001_huh: So... I think I'm just going to suck up the price of a new unit and purchase a brand new 383 instead. A bit more than what I was hoping to spend, but I'd rather have a flash that I know is not going to burn out in the middle of a wedding shoot.

I am curious though, as to why you disfavour the 283...I've had a 283 break on me. I've had a 383 break on me. I've never had a 285 break on me. I've not used the new version of the 285. Only the 'vintage' version.

Of course, if you use anything made of low grade plastic long enough, it will break. I don't think that any of those flashes would break on one night of use.

Your mileage may vary.