Question: Wireless off-camera flash control

[RazorBlade]

hmmm.. judging from this comment, you might want to read up more on the commander mode.

Ok, I know I'm asking some silly questions but I'll ask ahead anyway:
(I started a new thread on this, otherwise looks like it's going off-topic)

My original question is: Does the Canon EOS 350D & EOS 20D comes included with a feature to control off-camera flash setups wirelessly?

Just some history (& please correct me if I'm mistaken with certain stuff ... hehe, haven't been into these stuff much):

I'm comparing the two Canon EOS models (350D & 20D) with the Nikon D70.

Read about Commander mode in D70 - basically, it controls off-camera flash wirelessly (such as the SB-600 & SB-800 flash), and not using 'line-of-sight' IR. (Er ... am I correct?)

Also, usually SLRs (such as the 300D [now 350D]) controls off-camera flash using 'line-of-sight' IR. With the D70 having the feature of Commander mode, we 'save' on need to buy a flashgun.

A flashgun allows for off-camera flash to be controlled even if it's not using 'line-of-sight' IR ... and also forgoes the master-slave setup ... right?

P.S. And my apologies for an 'off-topic' post in another thread. ^_^

[hir0]

you could always use a sync cable. i have a d70, and i use commander mode, but the prefires that send the signal to the speedlight sometimes startle the fish. i would like to try a cable to have it flash immediately when i release the shutter. if anyone has experience with a sync cable, could you tell me if it still does prefire. because that would be defeating the purpose for me to buy one if it does.

[RazorBlade]

you could always use a sync cable.

Correct me if I'm wrong: The D70 & 300D do NOT have a port for a sync cable. I know the 20D has one. ;)

Hmm ... from your post, it looks like D70's commander mode requires the built-in-flash to fire an 'indication flash' is it? Hmm ...

[hir0]

what port? sorry if my post was confusing, what i am talking about mounts on the shoe. there is a male end that connects to the camera hotshoe and the female end that the speedlight connects to.
http://www.adorama.com/NKSC29.html?searchinfo=SC29&item_no=2

[meriadoc]

from B+H

The Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 is a dedicated E-TTL (II) wireless autoflash transmitter that can control an unlimited number of 420EX, 550EX, 580EX, or MR-14EX and MT-24EX flashes, in up to three separate groups; A, B, and C.

The ST-E2 sets and controls all functions of its slave units. The flash output ratio between groups A and B can also be adjusted from 8:1 to 1:1 or from 1:1 to 1:8.

Under low-light or low-contrast conditions it emits an AF-assist beam linked to the EOS-3's 45 focusing points.

Note: 420EX can not be used as the master slave to trigger other flashes.