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View Full Version : 580ex with 420ex as slave.. questions.

jaa1180
21st of August 2007 (Tue), 10:56
I have my 580ex in the hot shoe and I use the 420ex as a slave for backlighting or other lighting. The 580 I use for fill flash and the 420 most of the time as an additional fill.. under the chin or hair light. However, recently I completed my first headshots and in one picture the 420ex fired but was almost over powering. You can see it off to the left side as a bright spot on the ground. On the subjects it is a bit much.

So, I am wondering... is there a way to control the output of the 420ex?
Any ideas?
:D
milkman
21st of August 2007 (Tue), 11:00
Yes, since you are using the 580EX as master and 420 as slave, I was learning this from the manual and tried it last night. You set the 580 to A B ratio (there is no A only) and ensure your 420 is on the same channel and set to be the A flash. You then use the control dial to dial in your 420 to whatever output you want, totally separate from your 580. This works for both the TTL and manual modes. I don't remember the exact buttons to push, but you need to ensure that the A channel is blinking before you use the dial to adjust its output.
jaa1180
21st of August 2007 (Tue), 11:23
You then use the control dial to dial in your 420 to whatever output you want, totally separate from your 580. This works for both the TTL and manual modes. I don't remember the exact buttons to push, but you need to ensure that the A channel is blinking before you use the dial to adjust its output.

There is no controls on the 420. I cannot control the output from it.
PacAce
21st of August 2007 (Tue), 11:25
Set the 420EX to Group B. The 580EX will automatically be in Group A because it is the master. Then set the A:B ratio so that the light outputs from the 580EX and the 420EX is the way you want them. Refer to page 38 in your 580EX manual on how to set the A:B ratio if you're not familiar with it.
PacAce
21st of August 2007 (Tue), 11:26
There is no controls on the 420. I cannot control the output from it.

All the settings are made on the 580EX. The only thing you have to set on the 420EX is the Channel and the Group. And, of course, slide the remote switch to Slave.
jaa1180
21st of August 2007 (Tue), 11:43
Set the 420EX to Group B. The 580EX will automatically be in Group A because it is the master. Then set the A:B ratio so that the light outputs from the 580EX and the 420EX is the way you want them. Refer to page 38 in your 580EX manual on how to set the A:B ratio if you're not familiar with it.

Ahhh... thank you very much. I will try that out tonight.