580ex as a hair or background light?

[UNCTEP]

Just received 2 AB400 strobes with umbrellas, backdrops, light stands... trying to to set up a small studio in my home. I'm working in a rather small room... the 2 AB400 strobes are working quite well for what I've tried so far.

I also have a 580ex that I'm at a loss as to how to use now... what would your suggestion be for the best way to use the Canon flash in conjunction with the other 2 stobes? Could it be used as a hair light or background light? What would be the easiest (ie least expensive way) to trigger the 580? If I can get it to fire the AB400s can be set to trigger off the 580 flash, just need to figure a way to fire the 580 off camera.

Any suggestions for this newbie would be appreciated!

[tim]

It's probably possible, but Canon EX units don't play nice with other units. EX units seem to have trouble recharging with optical slaves, i've read. Get a cheap vivitar unit and a cheap optical slave and use that. Or use the 580EX in manual as the trigger.

[bbc14f]

The 580ex might not be powerful enough to keep up with the AB400 you might need to stop them down with some kind of filter. I'm about to start experimenting with this, except I use Elinchrome 400's.

[Curtis N]

Some people have reported success using the 580EX with the Wein Peanut Slave and a hotshoe adapter. Other optical slave attachments don't seem to work with EX Speedlites.

[FlashZebra]

Some people have reported success using the 580EX with the Wein Peanut Slave and a hotshoe adapter. Other optical slave attachments don't seem to work with EX Speedlites.
Curtis,

I think substantial forum member Lotto indicated good function with a Wein "Peanut" slave and recent Canon Speedlights. Are you aware of any other citations for harmonious function with the Wein "Peanut" slave with recent Canon Speedlights?

I am very cautious about all this, as I have carefully looked at several other Wein optical slaves (and other sundry optical slaves), that just do not function with the recent Canon Speedlights. So, other observations of good function with recent Canon Speedlights and the Werin "Peanut" would be very reassuring.

Enjoy! Lon

[FlashZebra]

The 580ex might not be powerful enough to keep up with the AB400 you might need to stop them down with some kind of filter. I'm about to start experimenting with this, except I use Elinchrome 400's.
The Canon 580EX is a bit anemic for main or fill duty for robust studio accommodation, especially at ISO 100, but it should have plenty enough power for a hair or other accent flash.

Enjoy! Lon

[Curtis N]

I think substantial forum member Lotto indicated good function with a Wein "Peanut" slave and recent Canon Speedlights. Are you aware of any other citations for harmonious function with the Wein "Peanut" slave with recent Canon Speedlights?It was mentioned in this post (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=2642133&postcount=53)from POTN newcomer elv. Reading it again, his mention may have been only second-hand information.

[FlashZebra]

It was mentioned in this post (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=2642133&postcount=53)from POTN newcomer elv. Reading it again, his mention may have been only second-hand information.
Curtis,

Thank you.

I saw that one and realized that it was very possibly second hand information. It would be nice to have an independent confirmation of the testing that Lotto accomplished.

Just to make sure Lotto did not just have an oddball sample of the Wein "Peanut". But, Lotto is careful and consistant.

Enjoy! Lon

[Lotto]

Thanks Lon. I read a few posts on the net from the people used this combo, they reports it worked for them too. They had the same complaint as I did-- the connection between the peanut and sync cord is not that reliable. But anyway, most of the 580 users would not intend to turn an expensive speedlite into a optical slave.

Any test you guys want me to run?

[FlashZebra]

Thanks Lon. I read a few posts on the net from the people used this combo, they reports it worked for them too. They had the same complaint as I did-- the connection between the peanut and sync cord is not that reliable. But anyway, most of the 580 users would not intend to turn an expensive speedlite into a optical slave.

Any test you guys want me to run?
Lotto,

No your data regarding the Wein "Peanut" and you Canon 580EX was perfectly on target and presented in a very accommodating way. But, it would be nice to have some independent backup other than vague web references to confirm that your success was not just due to you having a Wien "Peanut" that is somehow "special" or even a "special" Canon 580EX due to manufacturing variation.

Since in general, the Canon Speedlights just do not work with most optical slaves (I have tested several), a second substantial citation (in addition to yours) would be very reassuring.

Is there any possibility you have more than one Wein "Peanut" (I think they sell them in packages of three)? If so, have you confirmed good function on the Canon 580EX with all of them? This would address possible "Peanut" variation.

Regarding, "But anyway, most of the 580 users would not intend to turn an expensive speedlite into a optical slave.

This is certainly true, but almost daily there are posts to this forum asking how to inexpensively integrate a recent Canon Speedlight into a mix of other studio flash gear.

It would be nice if there was a definitive answer that could be given to that question that was without complicated codicils (as is the case now). This is my interest. I would like to be able to provide an answer where you indicate an exact mix of inexpensive accessories and proper function would be assured. This would cut down on a lot of forum confusion.

It seems that the heart of this answer I desire is a Wein "Peanut", but for me a second observation of the same high quality as yours would nudge things in a most concrete manner.

Enjoy! Lon

[zacker]

check out the new Vivitar (285HV?) at B&H..under $100.00 and i believe it comes with an optical slave adapter of some kind!

[Curtis N]

check out the new Vivitar (285HV?) at B&H..under $100.00 and i believe it comes with an optical slave adapter of some kind!It doesn't come with a slave adapter, but it does come with a very short sync cord (PC Male) similar to the Sunpak 383, which can be plugged into any slave adapter with a PC socket.

[FlashZebra]

They had the same complaint as I did-- the connection between the peanut and sync cord is not that reliable.
Lotto,

You seem to be very handy with a soldering iron.

Might you consider soldering the connections on the Wein "Peanut" to a short lead that terminates in a male mini plug.

This would allow an easy plug into to all of your modified flash gear, and a solder connection is likely to be electrically more reliable (not sure about the mechanical aspects of this solder connection).

The PC connector is pretty small, so you would need to be pretty good with that soldering iron. Short and very small diameter metal tubing the size of the PC connections might facilitate things. They carry this sort of tubing in shops that specialize in radio controlled model car and plane paraphernalia (and a lot of other neat hardware that I have utilized on occasion in homebrew photography gear projects). Throwing a bit of judiciously applied epoxy into the mix might also solve any problems with making the joint mechanically robust.

Enjoy! Lon

[acutshall]

I too am trying to use 2 580exII speedlights with my studio lights; 1 as a hair and the other as a background. I was told to use the 580s in auto mode, not quite sure what auto mode is; I have ETTL, manual and multi, no auto. I have a Wien peanut sensor and pc sync cable. So far I have not been able to get the 580s to fire. Can anyone explain what settings I should be using on the 580 to get it to fire?
Thanks

[gooble]

I too am trying to use 2 580exII speedlights with my studio lights; 1 as a hair and the other as a background. I was told to use the 580s in auto mode, not quite sure what auto mode is; I have ETTL, manual and multi, no auto. I have a Wien peanut sensor and pc sync cable. So far I have not been able to get the 580s to fire. Can anyone explain what settings I should be using on the 580 to get it to fire?
Thanks

I believe that when it says ETTL on the display that that is auto mode.

[iamagoo]

I`m using 2xAlien Bee 400s and a 580EX as a background/hair light. One Pocket Wizard on camera the other on the 580. The ABs fire off the 580 no problem (except for the slightly slow recharge, which isn`t a problem yet as I really don`t have a clue what I`m doing in the studio yet!)