Wireless Canon Flash - DPChallenge Forums

08/14/2007 12:40:31 AM · #1

Hi All,

I have just bought a cheapo wireless transmitter off ebay to trigger my 580EX flash from the PC out on my 20D body. I know that ETTL will not be transmitted and that i have to put the 580EX into manual mode.

I'm now want to have another flash unit triggered by my 580EX. My question is; Can this be done? Can i set my 580EX as a master (being triggered by a PC cord wireless transmitter) and have another slave unit being fired off by the 580EX?

If so, what are some compatiable cheap flash units with the 580ex(apart from the canon range 420ex - 580ex) that i can use as a wireless slave? I've found a cheap SUNPAK auto30SR...is this compataible?

Any help greatly appreciated...major flash newbie!!!

Peter

08/14/2007 12:56:36 AM · #2

I don't think it's gonna work that way, no. There are a few options:

1) Get another receiver for the wireless system to put on the new flash.
2) get an optical hotshoe slave for the new flash.
3) Get cheap dedicated slae flashes.

I personally like the first option. The relievers are cheap enough and you can get the Sunpak 383's pretty inexpensively.

08/14/2007 12:58:57 AM · #3

I know that the Sigma 500 has an optical slave mode built in. If it's set to that, the flash will fire when it 'sees' the 580 fire. May not be all that cheap as a solution, though.

08/14/2007 01:51:37 AM · #4

Originally posted by Mr_Pants:

I know that the Sigma 500 has an optical slave mode built in.

The Super does.

08/14/2007 02:18:10 AM · #5

I have a 580 and a 550, 2 pocket wizards......couldn't I use the PW's on the camera as a trigger, the other PW on the 580 (set to master) and have the 550 set to slave? Would that work?

08/14/2007 02:24:31 AM · #6

Originally posted by JeffDay:

I have a 580 and a 550, 2 pocket wizards......couldn't I use the PW's on the camera as a trigger, the other PW on the 580 (set to master) and have the 550 set to slave? Would that work?

I wouldn't have thought so, as the 'master' flash would not be connected to the camera and would not be able to use E-TTL and therefore couldn't fire the slave. You could use an ST-E2, though, although this would give limited range outdoors, where there is limited scope to bounce the triggering light signals around. You would really end up needing line of sight between ST-E2 and flash.

08/14/2007 02:28:12 AM · #7

I don't think so either. Probably going to have to have a PW on each flash.

08/14/2007 02:31:33 AM · #8

The PW and the ST-E2 are about the same price no? Would rather have another PW. Still, Im gonna set it up tomorrow and see if I can get it to work.

08/14/2007 02:35:34 AM · #9

Don't forget that the ST-E2 will give you E-TTL control of the flashes, whereas you'll have to use the flashes in manual using the PWs. It all depends upon where you want to use them. If it's indoors, then there'll be no problem getting the flashes to trigger with the ST-E2 and you won't have to keep traipsing over to them to adjust power output.

08/14/2007 02:41:34 AM · #10

Originally posted by Mr_Pants:

Thats a good point, but then line of site comes into play....

08/14/2007 02:47:53 AM · #11

<==== would choose the PWs myself. TTL is over-rated and LoS isn't always convenient.

08/14/2007 03:45:34 AM · #12

Indoors, I've not found a problem yet i.e. not had to set up line of sight, as the light signals can bounce from walls etc. Outdoors, it can certainly be a problem. The other day, I was shooting in portrait orientation with a flash held out to the right. No matter how much I turned up FEC, fill was non-existent. I then realised that the ST-E2 was on my left with the flash on my right, and the light signals were blocked by virtue of the fact that the camera body was in the way. I had to turn the camera over to get the flash to trigger.

telephema

Canon EOS-20D

08/14/2007 04:56:43 AM · #13

Thanks for everyones reponses!

Fotomann: I reckon another receiver and a sunpak sounds like a good option.

08/14/2007 05:01:03 PM · #14

Originally posted by JeffDay:

I have a 580 and a 550, 2 pocket wizards......couldn't I use the PW's on the camera as a trigger, the other PW on the 580 (set to master) and have the 550 set to slave? Would that work?

I set this up and tried it, the 550 set to slave did end up firing, but a second after the master....

08/14/2007 05:02:33 PM · #15

double post due to global warming....

Message edited by author 2007-08-14 17:03:11.