I absolutely HATE the Off Camera Shoe Cord 2!

[CannedHeat]

Using it with a 580EX:

<begin rant>Other than the fact it allows you to get the flash off camera, I see absolutely no merit in this cord whatsoever! Whoever the engineer was at canon who designed it must have been smoking some of the goofy green stuff!

Why on earth would they design it with a very tightly wound spiral cord? You can barely get the flash off camera any further that it would be if in the hot shoe before the cord starts stretching and tugging at the camera. If you're shooting slow shutter speeds, it is so tight is moves the camera even when on a good tripod.

Also, you always have to hold the flash because the cord is so short when relaxed, and pulls so thightly when stretched even a little, you cannot lay the flash down on a table. Why on earth could they not design it with a nice, 3-foot or so non-spiral cord or at least offer that model?<end rant>.

- Does anybody know of such a thing as a cord-stretcher that would allow stretching it?

- Is there another off-brand model that has a non-spiral cord?

Signed, Very Frustrated.

[tiha]

DIY solution: http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=123662

[CannedHeat]

DIY solution: http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=123662

Well.....

First, thanks for the link. Very useful.

Second, nice to know I've found a CAD (Canon Asinine Design) support group among friends here on POTN. For anybody to go thru all that work to create that cable extension obviously means there are others just as frustrated with the issue as I. /Dan

[Curtis N]

It's designed for use with flash brackets.
It works well for its intended purpose.
It does not work well for unintended purposes.

If you want to have someone else lengthen it for you, try Michael Bass Designs.

[baboymo]

The only purpose for the Canon off-camera flash cord is for using a flash bracket in my opinion.

Expand your off-camera flash knowledge...better solutions await there:

http://strobist.blogspot.com/
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/02/welcome-to-strobist.html
http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/

[cosworth]

when you have that speedlight in an awkward position and the camera is in portrait mode... it sure comes in handy to aim your st-e2 at it.

[CannedHeat]

It's designed for use with flash brackets.
It works well for its intended purpose.
It does not work well for unintended purposes.

If you want to have someone else lengthen it for you, try Michael Bass Designs.

That may be true, but it does not say so on the Canon website here (http://estore.usa.canon.com/SearchResults.asp?PARENTOID=4742). This may be nitpicking, but on the other hand, the description can be taken literally. Here is what is says:

Off-Camera Shoe Cord 2
This useful accessory maintains all on-camera flash functions for one Canon Speedlite used off-camera, at distances up to 2ft./60cm. Moving the Speedlite off-camera results in better control over lighting angle.
1. It does not specifically mention for use with brackets.

2. Neither is there a disclaimer that states if you DO stretch it the full 2 feet (specifications), that the spring loaded cord has enough pull to topple your tripod.

3. It also does not mention that in an emergency, the spring in the cord is so strong it can probably be used to tow your car across town for repair.;)

[PacAce]

That may be true, but it does not say so on the Canon website here (http://estore.usa.canon.com/SearchResults.asp?PARENTOID=4742). This may be nitpicking, but on the other hand, the description can be taken literally. Here is what is says:


1. It does not specifically mention for use with brackets.

2. Neither is there a disclaimer that states if you DO stretch it the full 2 feet (specifications), that the spring loaded cord has enough pull to topple your tripod.

3. It also does not mention that in an emergency, the spring in the cord is so strong it can probably be used to tow your car across town for repair.;)

Sometimes, it takes a little bit of common sense to work these complicated equipment and accessories for the camera. What you need to do is hold one end of the cord with one hand and then start to stretch the cord with the other hand, starting at the end you are holding and working your way to the other end. Do this twice and your cord will stretch to two feet without a problem and with barely a tug on the tripod. :)

[CannedHeat]

Sometimes, it takes a little bit of common sense to work these complicated equipment and accessories for the camera. What you need to do is hold one end of the cord with one hand and then start to stretch the cord with the other hand, starting at the end you are holding and working your way to the other end. Do this twice and your cord will stretch to two feet without a problem and with barely a tug on the tripod. :)

Already did that. It stays stretched for a short while, but then slowly retracts to the original state. My guess is they used titanium for the "spring" material (which would also account for the high price. ;))

[mmahoney]

Already did that. It stays stretched for a short while, but then slowly retracts to the original state. My guess is they used titanium for the "spring" material (which would also account for the high price. ;))

Canon may or may not market it as a cord with the primary use on a flash bracket but a quick review of the cords' specs should tell you that.

You can extend them yourself or get someone else to do it or go with sync cords and lose the ETT-L. Or even better go radio wireless.

Canon makes some wonderful glass and bodies, but the guys in the flash department must be the butt of a few jokes at the Canon Christmas party.
Mike

[Curtis N]

the guys in the flash department must be the butt of a few jokes at the Canon Christmas party.I heard they put weathersealing on that new 580EX II because of a few restroom incidents that went terribly wrong. Apparently they just had indoor plumbing installed and there was some confusion on how it worked.

[Jwreich]

DIY solution: http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=123662


That's awesome!

[Lightstream]

Dear Frustrated,

You appear to have bought the wrong product. You need model number ST-E2 instead of OCSC-2 ;)

[CannedHeat]

Dear Frustrated,

You appear to have bought the wrong product. You need model number ST-E2 instead of OCSC-2 ;)

Lightstream/mmahoney, thanks. Yes, wireless appears to be the ticket. I do not do portraiture, but use the 580ex for other purposes. It would be fantastic to be able to "walk" the 580 around. However, to do so I'll have to dump the shutter release cord and go wireless there also. Thanks, -Dan

[Lightstream]

You're welcome, glad we could help. I personally enjoy the freedom of the ST-E2 a lot, I don't have to worry about cords getting caught, I can fire more than one Speedlite at a time, and position them anywhere I want to.

Indoors, they have never missed a beat. I have even fired the ST-E2 through the fabric of a light tent (completely blocked) and succeeded in tripping off my slaves. I don't shoot outdoors with this rig and I DO value E-TTL a whole lot.

[nomorefilm]

lol, I've had that cord for over 14 years bought it when I got the 380 ex. Still works great...on a bracket! If you want to stay wired you'd need a TTL Hot shoe Adapter 3, Connecting cord 300 and Off- Camera Shoe Adapter(OA-2). But according to Canon you'll loose E-TTL /(II).