Topic: Trigger Flash in Manual Mode (Read 3121 times)

rainmac · « **on:** May 28, 2009, 02:50:36 pm »

Im using canon speedlite transmittter ST-E2 to trigger my Canon 580ex flash. however its cuts the power by one stop on ETTL Mode. Is there a way to use the canon transmitter to trigger flash in Manual mode. I would like to use it for its full power..

Regards
Rainer

jmwscot · « **Reply #1 on:** May 28, 2009, 06:01:58 pm »

Simply set the 580EX to Manual 1/1 (or whatever output you need) and set it to Slave. The M will flash to indicate manual mode. The ST-E2 will then fire it. The ST-E2 will control 2 groups of flash either manually or ETTL. The ratio switch setting is ignored if the Speedlights are set for manual.

Hope this helps,

Regards, John

Ken Bennett · « **Reply #2 on:** May 29, 2009, 07:58:01 am »

Extending John's remarks, when you switch to Slave, you may need to hold the mode button down for 1 second to force the flash into Manual mode. Then press the center button and turn the wheel to select the power setting (1/1 full manual or any other output.)

The wireless transmitter will fire the flash in manual mode *but* it will still fire its own infrared preflash. That makes it impossible to add optically-slaved flashes to this setup (which I find annoying.) But it will work fine for any number of Canon flashes set to Manual mode.

Also, you can't shoot in High-Speed Sync mode while using Manual flash.

jmwscot · « **Reply #3 on:** May 29, 2009, 01:57:17 pm »

If you are using the Canon 1Ds MkIII you can disable the AF-assist beam. C.FnIII-14. (I don't know about other camera models) This will allow you to use the 580EX as a trigger for your studio lights with the ST-E2.

Regards, John

Ken Bennett · « **Reply #4 on:** May 29, 2009, 07:57:07 pm »

Hmm, I need to test that. I wasn't talking about the AF assist, I was talking about the TTL pre-flash, which AFAIK cannot be turned off. I've tried it with several optical slave setups and it didn't work (using 1D Mk II and 40D.)

jmwscot · « **Reply #5 on:** May 30, 2009, 06:56:45 am »

Quote from: k bennett

Hmm, I need to test that. I wasn't talking about the AF assist, I was talking about the TTL pre-flash, which AFAIK cannot be turned off. I've tried it with several optical slave setups and it didn't work (using 1D Mk II and 40D.)

Your quite right! I just tried it with my Bowens Esprit set up. The ST-E2 does not sync the Bowens with the 580EX, resulting in an image in which the Bowens isn't recorded. Yet the 580EX in manual mode mounted on the camera syncs perfectly. I don't know why I thought it worked before. Sorry for confusing you. It explains why I had bought the Pulsar wireless trigger!

John

rainmac · « **Reply #6 on:** June 02, 2009, 02:47:12 pm »

THANK YOU GUYS!
best
rainer

Ken Bennett · « **Reply #7 on:** June 02, 2009, 08:39:15 pm »

Quote from: jmwscot

Your quite right! I just tried it with my Bowens Esprit set up. The ST-E2 does not sync the Bowens with the 580EX, resulting in an image in which the Bowens isn't recorded. Yet the 580EX in manual mode mounted on the camera syncs perfectly. I don't know why I thought it worked before. Sorry for confusing you. It explains why I had bought the Pulsar wireless trigger!

Right, the ST-E2 still fires the pre-flash even when the remote 580EX is on manual mode. If you set up an optical slave flash, it will trip before the shutter is open. Irksome.

If you mount the 580 EX directly on the camera and set it to manual, there is no pre-flash and it syncs with optical slaves.

Author Topic: Trigger Flash in Manual Mode (Read 3121 times)