Canon remote multi-flash question

[Harv]

Okay you Canon remote multi-flash users... listen up.

I have in my possession an ST-E2 remote transmitter, a 430EX speedlight and a 580EX speedlight. I can see no way of setting these speedlights manually when they are slaved to the ST-E2. It looks to me like all I can do is adjust the ratio between the two. I can't find a way to get them off ETTL once I set the switch to slave.

Am I missing something here?

Also, when I use the 580EX as the on-camera master and the 430EX as the slave, the 430 fires after a slight (but noticeable) delay. It's noticeably after the 580 fires. And before you ask, the little red window of the 430 is pointed at the 580.

What's with that?

I want to use this setup to photograph hummingbirds by placing the speedlights as close as is reasonable to the birds while the camera position is further away. To do this, I know I need the shortest possible flash duration which means a low manual setting. Relying on ETTL would probably be hit and miss as the spot metering circle may not be fully covered by the subject and will be reading the distant background, probably giving too long a duration.

Any ideas here that might help me out?

[gluwater]

Is what you are seeing as flashing first from the 580 actually the preflash for TTL? Is this noticable in the images?

[Harv]

Is what you are seeing as flashing first from the 580 actually the preflash for TTL? Is this noticable in the images?

Nope, not a pre-flash. It's the actual flash triggered by me to check the function of the 430 as the slave. I have not taken images as I was only in the process of getting organized and setting up the flashes to ensure it all worked as I wanted it to.

[Kevin]

Harv, I don't have a specific answer for you but I recall reading threads at dpr about this. If I recall correctly, there's a setting on the flash that makes it work like you're wanting. The original poster was talking about the same preflash/delay in flashes firing problem as you mentioned. Not sure if the search is working there but I'll keep my eyes posted.

Also, Chuck Gardner from there has a site with lots of info on Canon flashes. I'll see if I can find his website (or you might try googling it). It's something like supernova.org or something like that.

[Kevin]

Here you go (http://super.nova.org/DPR/#Canon) I'm sure the answer lies within. :)

[Harv]

Here you go (http://super.nova.org/DPR/#Canon) I'm sure the answer lies within. :)

Thanks a lot, Kevin. I'll have a look.

[Harv]

Thanks for the link, Kevin. Unfortunately, no info on using the transmitter with manual settings on the flash. Once the flash is set to slave (so that it works with the ST-E2) it defaults to E-TTL and cannot be changed to manual.

I can set the 580 to manual as the master and use it on camera, where it sends the same settings to the slave 430. Unfortunately, this doesn't accomplish what we are looking for which is to use both flashes remote and close to the feeder, regardless of where the camera is located.

I discovered that using the test button on the 580 triggers the 430 with a substantial delay, but when triggered by the camera there is no delay.

Right now it looks like the only way to use the flashes on manual is to have the 580 on camera or both remote, triggering the 580 with a sync cord and setting it as the master.

Quite disappointing to find the only way a flash can be used with the remote transmitter is on E-TTL.

[Kevin]

Harv I found this quote from a dpr search. It seems to address the issue you mentioned.

Entering the manual mode on the 580EX while set as slave is a little bit tricky. You need to press and hold the mode button for some 3 or 4 secconds in order to have the manual activated. Then you use your 580EX normally as manual flash.

[Kevin]

Also this from Chuck Gardner:
The instructions for manual override are on page 43 of the 580ex manual. With the base switch set to SLAVE press and hold the mode button for at least 2 sec. until the M begins to blink. Then apparently you will be good to go to trigger the flash in M mode with either as ST-E2 (what the instructions on p 43 refer to) or a third party device like a PW or optical slave trigger. But if you don't fire the flash at all within 60 min it will shut off, per the automatic power-off feature.

Also with respect to the AF assist light blinking in slave mode: There is no way to turn the darn thing off. Canon designed it to blink as a secondary "ready" indicator because the ready light on the back is pointed away from the camera when the sensor window above the AF assist is pointing at the camera mounted master flash. But if it bugs you it can be covered with a piece of gaffers tape without affecting the wireless performance.



And here's the thread (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1025&message=22757494)

[Harv]

Kevin, I can't thank you enough for this info. I am going to go and give it a try. Much appreciated.

[Tom Skoropad]

Harv,
This may be of interest. Just a few weeks ago I picked up a new (© 2007) book at my local Chapters store. It's called Canon Speedlite System Digital Field Guide by J. Dennis Thomas. $23.99CDN 215 pages in colour.
It deals with all aspects of setting up and shooting with only the 430EX & 580EX, including wireless setup.
Chapter 4 includes setting up the 430, 580 & ST-E2 in various situations.
All in all I think it was was an excellent buy.
Check it out at your nearest Chapters.

Cheers,
Tom

[Harv]

Kevin, I can't thank you enough for this info. I am going to go and give it a try. Much appreciated.

Okay, got it working. Great information, Kevin. I think that Mao and I can now do what we want... so long as the hummers co-operate.

Harv,
This may be of interest. Just a few weeks ago I picked up a new (© 2007) book at my local Chapters store. It's called Canon Speedlite System Digital Field Guide by J. Dennis Thomas. $23.99CDN 215 pages in colour.
It deals with all aspects of setting up and shooting with only the 430EX & 580EX, including wireless setup.
Chapter 4 includes setting up the 430, 580 & ST-E2 in various situations.
All in all I think it was was an excellent buy.
Check it out at your nearest Chapters.

Cheers,
Tom

Great, Tom... thanks a lot. I'm going to see if I can find it.

[Rudi]

Oops, got here too late! ;( Some good info in the links suplied, Harv, that should enable you to do exactly what you want. Good luck! :)

[Kevin]

I think that Mao and I can now do what we want... so long as the hummers co-operate.

Well, in the meantime, have Mao run back and forth flapping his arms and sticking out his tongue. Might give you a chance to dial everything in. :biglaugh: :biglaugh:

[Harv]

Well, in the meantime, have Mao run back and forth flapping his arms and sticking out his tongue. Might give you a chance to dial everything in. :biglaugh: :biglaugh:

With Mao, the trick is to get him to STOP running back and forth with his arms flapping and tongue sticking out.

[Diane]

Here you go (http://super.nova.org/DPR/#Canon) I'm sure the answer lies within. :)

thanks for that link Kevin. I bookmarked it.

[davespix]

I thought Canon had a wireless trigger that allowed ettl or whatever they call it. I thinks it was not cheap, but still very handy.