pocket wizard - 580

[Sweedishcarrot01]

Does anyone else have problems syncing a pocket wizard with a 580 when shooting at over 100/s? I do, grrrrr.

tips?
solutions?
both welcome...

[PacAce]

By over 100/s, did you mean shooting with a shutter speed of over 1/100? If so, the PW is easily capable of syncing up to 1/250. How do you have the PW units, camera and flash(es) set up?

[Sweedishcarrot01]

Yeah, I mean 1/100.

I have pocket wizard attached to 580 via a hotshoe adapter...

hmmm

[TMR Design]

I use Pocket Wizards with my 580EX at 1/250s with no problems whatsoever.

[PacAce]

Yeah, I mean 1/100.

I have pocket wizard attached to 580 via a hotshoe adapter...

hmmm

Is the flash in Master mode?

[Sweedishcarrot01]

Is the flash in Master mode?

Yeah, it is in master mode, because I use it to trigger a 430. Do you think this will cause a problem?

[Sweedishcarrot01]

I use Pocket Wizards with my 580EX at 1/250s with no problems whatsoever.

Excellent. What is your setup? Please :)

[TMR Design]

Excellent. What is your setup? Please :)

Pretty straight ahead setup..nothing fancy.

I have a PW on camera and a PW attached to my 580EX off camera mounted on a hot shoe adapter. I have the flash in manual mode and that's it.

[PacAce]

Yeah, it is in master mode, because I use it to trigger a 430. Do you think this will cause a problem?
I don't think so, I know so. :) Yes, it will. If you set the flash that's being triggered with the PW to Master mode, you'll need to decrease the shutter speed to 1/125 or slower.

It's not the PW that's causing the problem but the fact that the master is being triggered by a PW unit. The Speedlites were not designed to be triggered with an RF unit with the flash in Master mode. It's just coincidence that it works at all. :)

[TMR Design]

Hi Leo,

If that's the way it works then can you trust it at 1/125s? Is it actually firing on time and not affecting the exposure based on a delay? Migt it be better to slow it down even more, perhaps to 1/60s?

[PacAce]

Hi Leo,

If that's the way it works then can you trust it at 1/125s? Is it actually firing on time and not affecting the exposure based on a delay? Migt it be better to slow it down even more, perhaps to 1/60s?

Hi, Robert. I've actually been able to sync the flashes in this type of setup at 1/160. That's the reason I say 1/125 to allow for a buffer, just in case.

[Sweedishcarrot01]

Thanks kids, your both awesome, have a beer. I will have a play when I get back home... Choice!

[TMR Design]

Thank you Leo,

That's great info. I am going to be using a multiple Speedlite setup that way very soon. I'm glad I saw this thread.

As a related question.. when using 2 Speedlites with an Off Shoe Cord can I still sync at 1/250s, or is the 580 talking to the 430 stll going to cause the same problem and require using a slower shutter speed?

[PacAce]

Thank you Leo,

That's great info. I am going to be using a multiple Speedlite setup that way very soon. I'm glad I saw this thread.

As a related question.. when using 2 Speedlites with an Off Shoe Cord can I still sync at 1/250s, or is the 580 talking to the 430 stll going to cause the same problem and require using a slower shutter speed?
As long as the master is connected in such a way that the flash can work as a dedicated flash, the 1/250 max sync speed is maintained.

[bieber]

Hi Leo,

If that's the way it works then can you trust it at 1/125s? Is it actually firing on time and not affecting the exposure based on a delay? Migt it be better to slow it down even more, perhaps to 1/60s?

It won't be difficult to tell if you're safe. If you fire at a shutter speed too fast, and the flashes trigger too late, it won't be any kind of a subtle effect, you'll have a band in your photograph where there was no flash exposure because the shutter curtain was covering the sensor when the flash went off. Just find a place where you don't get such a band, and you're in business.

[TMR Design]

Thanks Leo and Robert

[martinsmith]

Okay, stupid question, but how could one fire a 580 & a 430 both off camera via PWs at 1/200. Would I need 3 PWs to do this?

I ask this as it was my plan as soon as I have the funds for another flash unit.

[PacAce]

Okay, stupid question, but how could one fire a 580 & a 430 both off camera via PWs at 1/200. Would I need 3 PWs to do this?

I ask this as it was my plan as soon as I have the funds for another flash unit.

Yes, you would.

[martinsmith]

Thanks for the reply.

I was thinking of using the 580exii off camera (pocket wizard on each) and using a 2nd flash as a slave unit off the 580. Which I now gather doesn't work?

Ok, time to save some more pennies.

[TMR Design]

I know there are a lot or peple that buy and happily use many of the lesser expensive radio trigger systems but I'm among the ones that have chosen to use Pocket Wizards and justify the cost and convenience very easily. Not that I have money to throw around but I think they're great devices and if you want seamless integration with a Sekonic meter or strobes like the Norman or Prophoto that are PW-ready then the Pocket Wizards really make sense.

[cprofit]

I am pleased with my Elinchrom Skyports as a cheaper, yet reliable, RF trigger.

[FlashZebra]

Thanks for the reply.

I was thinking of using the 580exii off camera (pocket wizard on each) and using a 2nd flash as a slave unit off the 580. Which I now gather doesn't work?

Ok, time to save some more pennies.
For inside work you could put the Pocket Wizard on the Canon 580EX, and an inexpensive optical slave on the Canon 580EX II.

The 580EX II seems to be the only EX flash that will actually work with an optical slave.

Enjoy! Lon

[TMR Design]

Wow Lon,

The new 580EXII does work with an optical trigger? That's great if they made that change.

[FlashZebra]

Wow Lon,

The new 580EXII does work with an optical trigger? That's great if they made that change.
Well the 580EX II seems to work with a garden variety Sonia optical slave that would not work on any other Canon EX flash.

Forum member Cosworth confirmed this a few weeks ago.

See this thread.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=350049

Enjoy! Lon

[TMR Design]

That's great to know. Thank you.