550EX and

[mannyglez]

I wanted to use last night a flash 550EX for my off camera lighting using a PW conected with an adapter but I had a problem,, it work just one time and then I had to turn the flash off and on to be able to triger the darn flash again,, so I jyst stop using it at all.

This morning I tried again at home and the same thing,, then I try with an optical sensor and THE SAME thing,, I know I am doing something wrong but I dont know what is it. Has enyone else run into this problem? if so, what did you do to fix this lil problem?
Please help.

Manny

[PacAce]

What adapter are you using between the PW and the flash? That would most probably be the cause of your problem. If you got a simple hotshoe adapter without any built-in electronics in it, the setup will work without a problem.

Just had another thought. The problem might be the PW, too, if it's one of the older units (earlier than the PW Plus). I seem to recall reading that some of the earlier PW models had problems triggering Speedlites just like current optical slave units do but that's not the case with the PW Plus, Plus II and MultiMax units.

[mannyglez]

Thanks Pac for your input,, I tried more than one PW and they are the transiver, and also the adaptor has no electronics on it. Also, I have the same issue when I tried to use a WEIN optican slave.

I notice than the 550 on/off switch has two on positions, do you know what is the difference?

Thanks
Manny

[john dm]

second 'on' is the energy saver setting

[PacAce]

Thanks Pac for your input,, I tried more than one PW and they are the transiver, and also the adaptor has no electronics on it. Also, I have the same issue when I tried to use a WEIN optican slave.

I notice than the 550 on/off switch has two on positions, do you know what is the difference?

Thanks
Manny

So you're using the Plus II? That's really strange because I've never heard of them having problems with the Speedlites. The Wein optical slave is known to have problems triggering the Speedlites more than once.

I don't have a Plus II so I can't test it out on my 550EX. The Plus I and the MM don't have a problem with the 550EX, though.

[mannyglez]

PlusII you mean the PW? if so, the PW i am using is the multimax units and the reg 550EX (I ignore if there is a 550ex II version) and nothing.

One more question,, is there an offbrand flash unit capable to be use as slave with the 550ex master? perhaps sigma?

Manny

[PacAce]

PlusII you mean the PW? if so, the PW i am using is the multimax units and the reg 550EX (I ignore if there is a 550ex II version) and nothing.

One more question,, is there an offbrand flash unit capable to be use as slave with the 550ex master? perhaps sigma?

Manny

I have the MultiMax unit, too, and my 550EX works without a problem with the MM so I'm not sure why you're having a problem with yours. What are you using as the hotshoe adapter for the flash?

The only non-Canon flash that I've used that seems to be 100% compatible with the EX master units in a wireless remote configuration is the Metz 58AF-1. I had a Sigma EF 500 DG Super but I had problems making it work consistently with the EX flashes so I returned it.

[mannyglez]

The adapter I am using is.. well, I am away but I'll post a pic later on today as soon as I return home. thanks

Manny