How to trigger a flash gun...

[tim.rose2]

I appreciate this is almost certainly considered old fashioned, but it works for me (well it did)...

I'm no photographer, I just want to be able to take OK photo's underground with little effort or cost. Years ago I discovered that using a flash gun, firefly 3 and point and shoot camera purchased from ebay for a few quid worked really well, much better results than the point and shoot camera alone. I've been using this method ever since. Killed lots of cameras, a couple of flash guns, but the firefly 3 always survived. Unfortunately it's now firing intermittently, leading to a lot of frustration. I've changed the battery and checked the hot shoe is wired in ok and can't find anything wrong so assuming it's finally knackered. So the question, how do others fire flashguns with point and shoot cameras underground? I'm sure somebody has told me you can buy flashguns with build in infrared triggers. If so, are these configurable to a random point and shoe camera in the same way the firefly is? Can anyone recommend one? It would need to be cheap, otherwise I'm not interested. To give an idea, the firefly cost me £50 ish 15+ years ago, flashguns I've paid no more than £20 for (Ebay), probably killed 2 or 3 in that time, cameras, typically £15 to £20 a go, second hand from ebay every 6 months or so.

I'm not into fancy phones and if I was I'd not take one underground, so please rule out "use a phone".

Thanks.
Tim

 

[Cantclimbtom]

Only 900 lumen so pretty bright, but not bright enough if you're trying to light up something far in the distance https://starlessriver.com/shop/glowstone-flashlight/
Not a flash so no trigger issues, switch it on, take a pic, switch it off

Not exactly what you asked for, but would it do as a left field option?

 

[tim.rose2]

I've tried 'lots of light'. Have numerous 1000 ish lumen torches (all a lot cheaper than the one you've linked). Small ish passages this seems to work ok, but a bit grainy. I've tried light painting on fireworks mode too. Again results ok, but I've always found the firefly / flashgun combination gives much better photos. Been playing with the firefly this evening, found a kink in the hot shoe wire which I've cut out and it seems to be working ok again. Probably got trapped in the otter box lid at some point over the last few months. Still interest in other ideas as I'm well aware the firefly isn't going to last forever.

 

[Steve Clark]

The cheaper Yonguno non-TTL flashguns. Eg the 560iii & 560vi can be configured to be triggered by an incoming flash from a point and shoot. S1 mode. This will trigger ‘instantly’ in sync with the camera flash (if using a sensible 1/125 shutter speed - no point in using anything else since it’s all about flash length/intensity anyway). You can have multiple flashes ganged together like this as long as they can all see a flash of another gun or the camera.

However, I would strongly recommend trying to find something point and shoot with a hotshoe. Even if it’s old. Then you can use a master trigger, which uses radio triggering. TX/RX mode. You can also change the intensity and zoom of all the remote flashes directly from the camera unit. This makes a huge difference to the speed of setting up the shot. You can start at the back, set each flash in turn and build up an entire balanced shot without moving anywhere. The flashes can be dangling on string on pitches or around corners and it all works fine. If you are going this route, I’d suggest the godox system rather than yonguno. Similar cost initially but they have some excellent larger flashguns that use the same protocol.

There is another option if you have a point and shoot with manual mode, a long shutter time or bulb. You can put the camera on a mini-tripod and use a radio trigger without the hotshoe. All lights must be off, pitch black. Open the shutter, fire the flashes from the trigger, multiple times if you want, then close the shutter. Slower and limited to a tripod position but you can have lots and lots of light this way.

I was intending to sell my set of 3x yonguno guns plus the trigger for ~£100, but my daughter has just started a photography course at Kendal College so I’ll save them for them for her use. I’ve moved over to godox.

 

[cap n chris]

Claim that it's shabby and outdated, and not even a lethal weapon.

 

[Rob]

Came on here to also post about the 560 Yongnuos. Top stuff for the price!

...
There is another option if you have a point and shoot with manual mode, a long shutter time or bulb. You can put the camera on a mini-tripod and use a radio trigger without the hotshoe. All lights must be off, pitch black. Open the shutter, fire the flashes from the trigger, multiple times if you want, then close the shutter. Slower and limited to a tripod position but you can have lots and lots of light this way.
...

This method only needs a tripod if doing multiple hits. Otherwise you can do this freehand. Very simple setup if only using one flash. Can just be a bit tricky focusing a point and shoot in the pitch black....

 

[tim.rose2]

Thanks all.
I shall definitely be looking in to Yongnuo 560's. Will probably try ebay for a second hand one to see how it goes. Looks like 560 III's go second hand for around £25.
Just to reiterate - I'm not into serious photography. My current method is only intended to produce 'okay photos' and involves a couple of 1000 lumen torches for extra light to help the camera focus, a single (very cheap) flashgun and firefly. Takes about 1 minute to set up; dump the flash and torches somewhere sensible a metre or two away from where I'm stood, finger over the camera flash to obscure it (i.e. stops the steam halos). Press the button and see what happens. ISO and exposure probably needs tweaking - usually good enough by shot 3 or 4. Setup, photo taken and packed away before anyone gets bored.
I guess I should say my other requirement is that it's quick to set up and fits in my otterbox in the top of a bag full of rope.

A couple of photo's from Lost John's and another couple from Shuttleworth taken as per above. This 'quality' is plenty good enough for me.