EOS R and remote flash

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I tried to find any clear answer on this, but can't really find it:

I consider purchasing Speedlite 470-EX-AI for my EOS R, but I wonder if I need a separate transmitter (ST3 etc. or extension cable) for remote trigger of the flash, or if I there's a built-in IR or something which would normally work?

It's likely I will limit my flash usage for macro and of course relatively close to the subject/flash and only one flash.

And if I need Speedlite 470 and a transmitter, I might consider the MT-26EX instead.
 
Solution
The Speedlite 470EX-AI is an optical slave. It has no radio receiver build in. To use it remote you need a ST-E2 transmitter or a flash with master functionality like the 90EX but flashes use visible light for communication which may have impact on your macro work.

A better option for you is a 430EX-RT with a ST-E3-RT transmitter. This combination works on radio communication.

The best option for you is some specialized macro flash.
The Speedlite 470EX-AI is an optical slave. It has no radio receiver build in. To use it remote you need a ST-E2 transmitter or a flash with master functionality like the 90EX but flashes use visible light for communication which may have impact on your macro work.

A better option for you is a 430EX-RT with a ST-E3-RT transmitter. This combination works on radio communication.

The best option for you is some specialized macro flash.
 
Solution
I tried to find any clear answer on this, but can't really find it:

I consider purchasing Speedlite 470-EX-AI for my EOS R, but I wonder if I need a separate transmitter (ST3 etc. or extension cable) for remote trigger of the flash, or if I there's a built-in IR or something which would normally work?

It's likely I will limit my flash usage for macro and of course relatively close to the subject/flash and only one flash.

And if I need Speedlite 470 and a transmitter, I might consider the MT-26EX instead.
There is nothing in the EOS R to control or trigger a remote flash. You need a transmitter sitting on the hotshoe and a receiver attached to the 470EX-AI to remotely fire the flash by radio control.

I just went through this and am ordering a Yongnuo YN-E3-RT II to put on the R's hotshoe and control a 430EXIII-RT by radio remote control.

Via optical control, you need an optical trigger on the hotshoe or a master optical flash (430EXIII, 600EX,?).
 
Via optical control, you need an optical trigger on the hotshoe or a master optical flash (430EXIII, 600EX,?).
The 430EX-RT III does not have optical master functionality. Optical it is slave only. Radio it works as master or slave.
 
I tried to find any clear answer on this, but can't really find it:

I consider purchasing Speedlite 470-EX-AI for my EOS R, but I wonder if I need a separate transmitter (ST3 etc. or extension cable) for remote trigger of the flash, or if I there's a built-in IR or something which would normally work?

It's likely I will limit my flash usage for macro and of course relatively close to the subject/flash and only one flash.

And if I need Speedlite 470 and a transmitter, I might consider the MT-26EX instead.
Have you considered a Godox speedlight - TT350-C if you want something compact or TT685-C if you want full size. Either can be controlled with X1T-C, X2T-C or XPro transmitters.

I recently bought a TT685-C and X2T-C for AU$204 (about US$120) delivered. I think one of the big US shops sells their "rebranded" versions of the Godox gear with local US warranty and backup. It seems pretty good and a fraction of the price of the Canon equivalents.

FYI - the 470 EX AI is widely touted as a gimmick and is being discounted as a result. If you are going to stick with Canon, then a 430 may be a better option.

Colin
 
I tried to find any clear answer on this, but can't really find it:

I consider purchasing Speedlite 470-EX-AI for my EOS R, but I wonder if I need a separate transmitter (ST3 etc. or extension cable) for remote trigger of the flash, or if I there's a built-in IR or something which would normally work?

It's likely I will limit my flash usage for macro and of course relatively close to the subject/flash and only one flash.

And if I need Speedlite 470 and a transmitter, I might consider the MT-26EX instead.
Have you considered a Godox speedlight - TT350-C if you want something compact or TT685-C if you want full size. Either can be controlled with X1T-C, X2T-C or XPro transmitters.

I recently bought a TT685-C and X2T-C for AU$204 (about US$120) delivered. I think one of the big US shops sells their "rebranded" versions of the Godox gear with local US warranty and backup. It seems pretty good and a fraction of the price of the Canon equivalents.

FYI - the 470 EX AI is widely touted as a gimmick and is being discounted as a result. If you are going to stick with Canon, then a 430 may be a better option.

Colin
The 470 EX AI's unique selling point is that it has a powered mechanism for changing the bounce angle and works this out automatically when mounted on a hotshoe.

Gimmick or not (and people who have tried it tell me that it works) that does make it a strange choice for off camera or multiple flash.
 
Alright, thanks for the answer. I will probably decide about the MT26 flash than.
 
I thought it could work as a multi-purpose flash and have some interesting light possibilities for macro work.

Guess I'll consider the MT-26
 
Via optical control, you need an optical trigger on the hotshoe or a master optical flash (430EXIII, 600EX,?).
The 430EX-RT III does not have optical master functionality. Optical it is slave only. Radio it works as master or slave.
Oops. Yep, I forgot when I included it. The 600EX is the only canon flash that can optically master. The 600EX has a crazy high price though.

My Yongnuo YN-E3-RT and some soft box gear arrive Wednesday so I can use the 430EXIII-RT off camera.
 
Oops. Yep, I forgot when I included it. The 600EX is the only canon flash that can optically master. The 600EX has a crazy high price though.
There are others. The tiny 90EX for example is an optical master. Cheaper than the ST-E2 as well.

My Yongnuo YN-E3-RT and some soft box gear arrive Wednesday so I can use the 430EXIII-RT off camera.
Given it is the YN-E3-RT II you will be happy with this combo.
 
I own several 600EX-RT with the ST-E3-RT transmitter and it works very well but it's also expensive. I bought into the "R2" system of Adorama's Flashpoint lights. (Made by Godox). They have small speed lights and larger up to the same output of my 600EX's.

I went this way because they also work with their line of "R2" studio strobes. So one camera trigger I can trigger all my shoe flashes , studio flashes and change power to each one individually from the camera.

I bought the LiOn models because I do a lot of location shoots. On there "Zoom LI-ON" model I have never run out of juice. Lasts forever and has a 2 second recycle on full power! They make the same model with AA batteries but its worth the extra money for the rechargeable model. My canon models it takes 4 seconds for a full power recycle. May not be a big deal but rarely do I need full power so the recycle is pretty much instant. I have 5 studio strobes and 3 speed lites I can mix and match if I need to.

To top it off, you can buy 3 of the flashpoint's for the price of one comparable Canon brand. (Same power, same features).

Might be worth checking into if you're in the market. It worked well with my 5D3 and now my R. It has user updatable firmware also so no worries with compatibility with future bodies.
 
Oops. Yep, I forgot when I included it. The 600EX is the only canon flash that can optically master. The 600EX has a crazy high price though.
There are others. The tiny 90EX for example is an optical master. Cheaper than the ST-E2 as well.
My Yongnuo YN-E3-RT and some soft box gear arrive Wednesday so I can use the 430EXIII-RT off camera.
Given it is the YN-E3-RT II you will be happy with this combo.
Got the YN-E3-RTII and it works great with the 430EXIII-RT. Everything remains set up and linked when I turn it on the next time. Researching the YNE3-RX for the old 430 flash.

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I currently have a Speedlite 470EX-Ai.

Can I use the godox xpro-c with that flash ?
 
I currently have a Speedlite 470EX-Ai.

Can I use the godox xpro-c with that flash ?
You would need to attach a Godox X1R-C ($40) receiver to the foot of the 470EX-Ai to use it in the Godox system. Similarly, you could use a Yongnuo YN-E3-RX receiver to use it with a YN-E3-RT or ST-E3-RT transmitter.

However, I would recommend that you consider just adding a Godox speedlight (either the non-TTL TT600 ($60), or the TT685-C ($110) to your arsenal to use with it instead. Keep the 470EX-Ai for on-camera use, and just use the Godox speedlight for off-camera.

An add-on transmitter may be cheaper, but it's more inconvenient. You have to remember to pack it and its batteries, it makes setup a bit less robust and more complicated (you have to sandwich the trigger between the light and the stand), and the X1R-C, unlike the built-in transceiver in a TT685-C, cannot do cross-brand TTL/HSS should you want to share your light with a different-system shooter, or you decide to see if the grass is greener on the Sony side of the fence.
 
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I currently have a Speedlite 470EX-Ai.

Can I use the godox xpro-c with that flash ?
You would need to attach a Godox X1R-C ($40) receiver to the foot of the 470EX-Ai to use it in the Godox system. Similarly, you could use a Yongnuo YN-E3-RX receiver to use it with a YN-E3-RT or ST-E3-RT transmitter.

However, I would recommend that you consider just adding a Godox speedlight (either the non-TTL TT600 ($60), or the TT685-C ($110) to your arsenal to use with it instead. Keep the 470EX-Ai for on-camera use, and just use the Godox speedlight for off-camera.

An add-on transmitter may be cheaper, but it's more inconvenient. You have to remember to pack it and its batteries, it makes setup a bit less robust and more complicated (you have to sandwich the trigger between the light and the stand), and the X1R-C, unlike the built-in transceiver in a TT685-C, cannot do cross-brand TTL/HSS should you want to share your light with a different-system shooter, or you decide to see if the grass is greener on the Sony side of the fence.
You mean that the TT685-C will be triggered by the 470EXAi ?
 
I currently have a Speedlite 470EX-Ai.

Can I use the godox xpro-c with that flash ?
You would need to attach a Godox X1R-C ($40) receiver to the foot of the 470EX-Ai to use it in the Godox system. Similarly, you could use a Yongnuo YN-E3-RX receiver to use it with a YN-E3-RT or ST-E3-RT transmitter.

However, I would recommend that you consider just adding a Godox speedlight (either the non-TTL TT600 ($60), or the TT685-C ($110) to your arsenal to use with it instead. Keep the 470EX-Ai for on-camera use, and just use the Godox speedlight for off-camera.

An add-on transmitter may be cheaper, but it's more inconvenient. You have to remember to pack it and its batteries, it makes setup a bit less robust and more complicated (you have to sandwich the trigger between the light and the stand), and the X1R-C, unlike the built-in transceiver in a TT685-C, cannot do cross-brand TTL/HSS should you want to share your light with a different-system shooter, or you decide to see if the grass is greener on the Sony side of the fence.
You mean that the TT685-C will be triggered by the 470EXAi ?
No, I think Kli means that if you get a Godox XPro then instead of buying a Godox receiver to attach to your 470 to trigger it, rather just get a TT 685-C and use the XPro to trigger it instead.

I think you probably could trigger a Canon 470 optically using a Godox speedlight, but it would have to be in full Manual mode, no TTL AFAIK.

With Canon speedlights, if it doesn't have "RT" in the name it cannot be triggered wirelessly (excluding an optical trigger which usually doesn't give you TTL).

You would need a 430 EX iii-RT or 600-RT to have a proper wireless trigger, and AFAIK they can only be triggered by a Canon RT trigger, not a Godox RT trigger.

For the price of a Canon 430 iii-RT you could probably buy a XPro and two TT 685-C speedlights (at least - maybe 3).

Colin
 
... You mean that the TT685-C will be triggered by the 470EXAi ?
No. Andy01 has it right: I meant that you can use a TT685-C off-camera with an XPro-C on transmitter on your camera hotshoe, and you could reserve the 470EX-AI for on-camera use. Of course you can also use a TT685-C as an on-camera flash as well. But it won't do the automated bounce positioning thing the 470EX-AI does.

And (weirdly), you could use a Godox TT685-C on-camera to trigger the 470EXAi off-camera in Canon's "smart" optical system, without needing to buy an XPro-C. But the 470EX Ai has no radio triggering capability built in, and its "smart" optical capability is limited to slave/receiver; it cannot do the on-camera transmitter role.

Also, optical triggering is less reliable and more of a PITA, particularly outdoors in daylight than radio triggering.
 
I believe if are using a canon flash as optical master (mounted on the camera) and off camera optical slaves then indeed the trigger information and TTL information is encoded in the flash light from the on camera mounted optical master. However , in the camera settings you can choose to have the flash acting as master nor be involved in the actual exposure.
 

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