Newbie (sort-of) in need of help with flash for LF

[DavyG]

I'm not that new to LF photography, but I have never really used flash before.

I have an old, beat up but very trustworthy Canon Speedlite 550EX. Now I should be able to fire this via the "x" cable thingy (english is not my native tongue, so I'm a little unsure of what to call some of the things...) on my lenses, a cord, and a hot shoe, right?

Am I missing anything or is this setup correct?
If you have any recommendations on hot shoes and/or cords, I'm very open for them

Thank you in advance!
Davy

[Mike Stewart]

Davy, you can connect a flash to any large format lens that has a PC connection which should exist on most modern lenses. All you need is a sync cord that has a pc connection on one end and a connection on the other end that matches the flash unit you will be using (i.e. houshold, phone jack, etc.). Large format cameras don't typically have a mounting shoe for accessories so if that's the case with your camera then you'll need to purchase/attach an accessory cold shoe if you're looking to mount your Cannon speedlite to your camera. You could of course hand hold the flash or mount it to a light stand as well.

[DavyG]

I don't think it's possible to get a PC to Speedlite connection cord... I just did a quick search and nothing seemed like the thing I would need. So a hot shoe it is then.

Any suggestions regarding hot shoes? I don't really know what to go for

[Daniel Stone]

actually, you can do it. I have, albeit with nikon speedlight's and a different cord

one of these for your flash:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Flash-Hot-Sh...item564dcd1e24

and then get a MALE to MALE pc-cord made:
http://www.paramountcords.com/custom.asp

get a cord that has BOTH ENDS look like this(look at the ends of the cable in the link below):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-12-inch-M...item2eaf07a58c

-Dan

[Jiri Vasina]

I'm using something similar to this:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Yongnuo-RF-60...item2a23738fcd

I have also bought PC cable for the trigger
http://www.ebay.de/itm/RF-602-RF602-...item231853bcce

and then it's plain sailing (I use Metz 45CL-4 and Nissin Di622 flash units). I can place the units anywhere I need... (and I can use this setup with my Canon DSLR, with my Fuji GW 690, and most importantly LF too...)

Jiri

[cosmicexplosion]

Nice tips
Cheers.

[soeren]

I bought a PC-Hot shoe adapter but it doesn't work with my Youngnuo triggers (for Nikon) but I do have a Haehnel or Hama trigger that works on the adapter.
Best regards

[DavyG]

So, today I went down to my local camera store. There I bought a hot shoe adapter of the German brand Dörr. It works great! Thank you all for your help!

Here's a pic of the setup. Now I just need to get a longer cord...