550EX flash units definitely can be used off-camera, set up as a 'slave,' set in 'Manual,' and triggered by an ST-E2. It's all in the instructions.
I often shoot 'Manual' flash with my D30, ST-E2, 550EX, and a Sunpack 622. I measure with a Minolta V. ST-E2 is mounted on-camera. 550EX is mounted on a light stand, set as a 'slave,' specifically set to 'Manual' (not ETTL) mode, and (usually) set to full power - I used this as my 'main' flash. Sunpack 622 is also mounted on a light stand, set to 'Manual' mode, and set to some fractional power (i.e., 1/32nd) - I use this flash for 'fill.' Sunpack is triggered with an optical slave plugged in. D30 is set to Manual mode, with speed somewhere between 1/60th and 1/200th, and f-stop initially at a reasonable guess. Minolta V meter is used to measure light at subject. Since I'm using a D30, I just have a remote shutter release connected to a long cable connected to the D30's shutter release connector. I hand-hold the Minolta in one hand next to the subject, and fire the remote shutter release holding it in the other hand. D30 f-stop then set to whatever the meter says to set. This 'poor man's' studio portrait set up works every time without difficulty. The only thing I have to be careful of is that the ST-E2 infrared signals (destined for the 550EX) will trigger the optical slave plugged into the Sunpack. I solved this by putting some tape on the optical slave to eliminate line-of-sight sensitivity to the ST-E2. Hope this helps. Best regards, Bill Neukranz -----Original Message----- From: Vesa Perala [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2002 2:14 AM Subject: EOS RE: Flash meters with ETTL It appears that the ST-E2 is able to trigger the slave flashes (which are in M-mode) when you press the test button * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
