Making a 430EX trigger a 580EX

[digitaljoe]

Is there any way of making a 430EX on camera trigger a 580EX?
I understand that the 580EX wont reset if one uses an optical slave.

[Fureinku]

a 430 can only be used as a slave, the 580 can fire the 430, not the other way around...

get pocket wizards or another wireless trasnmitter and fire both remotely?

[Curtis N]

Seems like you're trying to use a plow to pull a horse.

[digitaljoe]

Hi Curtis - I am trying to get the 580EX currently on the camera as a master into a softbox to boost the light levels. I didn't think it would work and it doesn't! So its either pocket wizard, another 580EX or ST-E2.

[Curtis N]

Joe,

Tell us more about your setup and your goals and folks might give you some ideas.

I was sarcastically trying to point out that you could use the 580EX to trigger the 430EX. Is there some reason you can't fire the 430EX into the softbox and use the 580EX on camera to trigger it?

[digitaljoe]

Thanks Curtis - By the way have been meaning to compliment you on your site - very nice indeed.

I am using a Photek softliter which needs maximum power - preferably two flashes. Only gives f4 -f5.6 at 4 - 5 feet at 100 ISO with diffuser off with one 580EX or SB800. Hence ideally need to move the more powerful 580EX to the softliter. Plan B is to keep the 580EX on the camera with the 430EX in the softliter along side my SB800. But of course I loose ttl and will have to shoot manual. I am thinking of raising ISO to 200 to gain a stop. I shoot mainly CEO portraits at their desk etc with a 24-70mm on a 5D.

Incidentally, I am trying to find a decent ready made dual flash mount. Morris make one but B+H have been out of stock for months. I have looked at cobbling one together, but again difficult to locate the parts. Any ideas? I am currently using two stands.

[FlashZebra]

I am thinking of raising ISO to 200 to gain a stop.
Raise the ISO to 200, you will most likely not be able to tell the difference. And, this will be almost exactly like having the 580EX in that softbox. The 580EX is almost exactly one extra stop more powerful than the 430EX.

Switching to ISO 200 will give you the same exact jump, one stop.

Also, the difference in quaility in ISO 100 and ISO 200 in a 5D should be almost nill. Even ISO 400 might be fine.

Enjoy! Lon

[digitaljoe]

Thanks Lon - I will try that!