Sppedlite 420 or 550 Slave function? HELP PLEASE!!

[jasonco]

Hi Guys,

I have a Canon Speedlite 420EX and 550EX flash. I want to remote trigger the flashes with light (not the built in master / slave function). Is there any way to set the 420 or 550 to slave from another flash (Studio light) going off rather than the slave / master settings on the flashes?

I have this HOT model im going to photograph in a race car Garage this afternoon and I want two light sources in sync... if someone can help me I will post the photos up on the net tomorrow.

Thanks guys
Jason
www.jasoncolephotography.com.au

[slin100]

The 420EX and 550EX do not have built-in optical triggers. Since most studio lights have built-in slaves, you might try slaving the studio light off of the Speedlite.

[scottbergerphoto]

The only way to do this would be to get a hot shoe to PC cord adapter for the 550/420 and attach a Peanut Slave to the PC end. You can get such a cord at www.paramountcords.com. I recently bought two similiar ones but with hot shoe to miniplug so I could use the 550EX with a Pocket Wizard. Paramount will make what you want. Check in the Custom section. You know of course that you will have to use manual mode and the 420 will only fire at maximum in manual.
Regards,
Scott

[slin100]

One problem, and it's a big one, is that the Wein Peanut does not work reliably with either the 550EX or 420EX. The much more expensive Wein SSL triggers are purported to work reliably. The Pocket Wizard works perfectly, but of course, it's a radio not an optical slave.

[scottbergerphoto]

One problem, and it's a big one, is that the Wein Peanut does not work reliably with either the 550EX or 420EX. The much more expensive Wein SSL triggers are purported to work reliably. The Pocket Wizard works perfectly, but of course, it's a radio not an optical slave.
You would be correct if this was an ETTL situation. The peanut slave would be triggered by the pre flash whereas the Wein Digital would not. In this situation, however, ETTL is not an issue. He is using studio strobes and the 550/420 on manual. There is no pre flash. The peanut slave will work fine.
Scott

[slin100]

The problem has nothing to do with the ETTL preflash. It has to do with the Wein Peanut locking up after one trigger. Only power cycling the flash will unlock it. This doesn't make the trigger very useful.

Cheap optical triggers employ a simple silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) as a switch to short the flash contacts together. SCRs are prone to locking up even after the control signal is removed if there is appreciable current flowing. Apparently, there is an appreciable amount of current flowing in a 550EX/420EX.

[scottbergerphoto]

The problem has nothing to do with the ETTL preflash. It has to do with the Wein Peanut locking up after one trigger. Only power cycling the flash will unlock it. This doesn't make the trigger very useful.

Cheap optical triggers employ a simple silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) as a switch to short the flash contacts together. SCRs are prone to locking up even after the control signal is removed if there is appreciable current flowing. Apparently, there is an appreciable amount of current flowing in a 550EX/420EX.
Steve,
I just did a Google search on this, and apparantly you are correct. The 550EX has to be turned off and on after each shot when used with the peanut slave. This doesn't appear to be an issue with non-Canon flashes. I used the peanut slave with a Q Flash T2D two weeks ago with no problem. Thanks for the info.
Scott

[DaveG]

Hi Guys,

I have a Canon Speedlite 420EX and 550EX flash. I want to remote trigger the flashes with light (not the built in master / slave function). Is there any way to set the 420 or 550 to slave from another flash (Studio light) going off rather than the slave / master settings on the flashes?

I have this HOT model im going to photograph in a race car Garage this afternoon and I want two light sources in sync... if someone can help me I will post the photos up on the net tomorrow.

Thanks guys
Jason
www.jasoncolephotography.com.au

Is there any reason why you don't want to use the E-TTL wireless flash? It works great for me.