Not Synchronized

[eaglesnest]

Whenever I want to use multiple flash units for certain jobs the flash will not synchronized. Here is my setting. 580 Ex mounted on camera (on my 5D) 2 or more studio flash heads positioned in various places. I was using the 580 EX to trigger the remote heads. Non of the flashes is registered, not even the 580 EX. I tried another method, this time I was using a radio remote control to trigger the remote heads. The two remote heads still remain blank (not synchronized) only the 580 EX is registered. If I was using only the remote heads via radio remote control without the 580 EX, everything is allright. I ran out of ideas and all of this doesn't make sense to me. Need your help to resolve this dilemma. Thanks.

[joeseph]

I think what you're experiencing is called pre-flash. The 580ex puts out a burst before the actual exposure takes place and the camera uses it to work out how much fire-power it needs for the shot. Anything that uses a light trigger will probably fire on the pre-flash and not have time to re-cycle for the actual shot.

[PacAce]

Whenever I want to use multiple flash units for certain jobs the flash will not synchronized. Here is my setting. 580 Ex mounted on camera (on my 5D) 2 or more studio flash heads positioned in various places. I was using the 580 EX to trigger the remote heads. Non of the flashes is registered, not even the 580 EX. I tried another method, this time I was using a radio remote control to trigger the remote heads. The two remote heads still remain blank (not synchronized) only the 580 EX is registered. If I was using only the remote heads via radio remote control without the 580 EX, everything is allright. I ran out of ideas and all of this doesn't make sense to me. Need your help to resolve this dilemma. Thanks.

If you want to use the 580EX is trigger the other strobes, you have to put the 580EX into manual mode so that it doesn't fire a preflash. And, of course, you'll need to adjust the power output of the flash so that it gives the correct exposure or, if it is only being used to trigger the strobes, set it to minimum power (1/32 or 1/64).

[eaglesnest]

I appreciate your response Joeseph, but what I am looking for is the solution how to correct and overcome the problem.

[joeseph]

I appreciate your response Joeseph, but what I am looking for is the solution how to correct and overcome the problem.
PC flash cable? :p

[woffles]

Put the 580 in manual and it only flashes once. You'll just have to set the power on it yourself.