off camera flash unit

[Gems]

Hi, I was wondering, if someone could point me in the right direction, give advice.

I would like to purchase an off camera flash transmitter/receiver unit, but really don't know what I'm looking for.

I don't want to spend an arm and a leg, as I can't see myself use it often (don't tend to work with flash that much), but don't want the most basic either. I have a Canon Speedlite 580 EXII, so whatever I get I'd like it to be fully functional with ETTL.

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

[20DNewbie]

I'm guessing the cheapest for ETTL would probably be the Canon ST-E2. I've read from those on both sides of the fence on this product, they either love it or hate it. But where budget is a concern I can't see how you could really go wrong so long as your willing to accept it limitations.

Good luck.

[ohenry]

Your cheapest way would be to use your existing unit on a cord or mounted as the master unit and buy a second ETTL unit as the slave. You can likely find used 500 or 400 series units fairly reasonable.

xmitter/receiver for ETTL aren't inexpensive. I use one from Alien, but it doesn't support ETTL.

ST-E2 -- had one, sold it. Slave unit makes much more sense at a more reasonable price in the end.

I don't know if you're updating your camera any time soon, but the 7D's built in unit can act as the master. May be true on on the 60D, as well.