580EX's won't talk to each other

[willstar]

OK - so I bought a 580EX from forum member last year, and all seemed OK. In my noobiness I found the results from this flash far superior to the on-camera flash, so was pretty happy.

This week I bought a second 580EX from another forum member, and this morning thought I'd play around with the master/slave options and do some off camera flash.

If the older one is on camera, set as master, it will trigger the newer one, set as slave without a problem. But if the newer one is on camera as master, it won't trigger the older (slave-set) one.

Also the old one won't allow me to change channels - it's set at channel one only. And I can't adjust the focal length to bring up the "double rectangle" symbol (auto) at top right of display, which I can do on the newer one.

Is this likely that there is an issue with the contacts, or is there something more? Can I reset the flash to factory defaults and start again?

I have gone through the manual and also looked for similar issues on this forum, with no real luck - I'm hoping someone can throw some light on it, so to speak.

Cheers in advance.

[jbergdoll]

If they aren't talking to eachother, try scheduling a group appointment with your favorite psychologist...

[willstar]

If they aren't talking to eachother, try scheduling a group appointment with your favorite psychologist...

You know, I tried that but they didn't show up! :p

Plus I don't really have a fave psych.....

[mindchatter]

Bad children...no batteries for dessert!!!!

[Stinger]

OK - so I bought a 580EX from forum member last year, and all seemed OK. In my noobiness I found the results from this flash far superior to the on-camera flash, so was pretty happy.

This week I bought a second 580EX from another forum member, and this morning thought I'd play around with the master/slave options and do some off camera flash.

If the older one is on camera, set as master, it will trigger the newer one, set as slave without a problem. But if the newer one is on camera as master, it won't trigger the older (slave-set) one.

Also the old one won't allow me to change channels - it's set at channel one only. And I can't adjust the focal length to bring up the "double rectangle" symbol (auto) at top right of display, which I can do on the newer one.

Is this likely that there is an issue with the contacts, or is there something more? Can I reset the flash to factory defaults and start again?

I have gone through the manual and also looked for similar issues on this forum, with no real luck - I'm hoping someone can throw some light on it, so to speak.

Cheers in advance.

Some of the controls aren't very intuitive. Make sure that both flashes are set to point straight ahead, I made that discovery when I first got mine, it won't zoom if it's angled slightly downward (it's hard to tell that it's not pointing straight, so use the scale on the flash).

Have you checked to see that the flashes are set to master/slave respectively, and that you've swapped them over when you swap the flashes ?

[willstar]

Bad children...no batteries for dessert!!!!

Yes batteries - a 9 volt should do it. That'll teach 'em!

Some of the controls aren't very intuitive. Make sure that both flashes are set to point straight ahead, I made that discovery when I first got mine, it won't zoom if it's angled slightly downward (it's hard to tell that it's not pointing straight, so use the scale on the flash).

Have you checked to see that the flashes are set to master/slave respectively, and that you've swapped them over when you swap the flashes ?

You're right about the controls - I had to read thru the manual a couple of times to get my head around it.

I did have both set straight ahead - I noticed that unless this occurs, it doesn't show the apporpriate detail on the display.

Also, was very diligent in setting the right ones to master and slave. As I said, using the old flash it'll trigger the newer one, but not vice versa, so there is some level of communication between the units.

I just want to avoid having to ensure that I've got the right flash sitting on the camera body for off camera flash to work properly - I want either to function as they should - if that makes sense.

[gryphonslair99]

Sorry, this tread made me chuckle. I too have a pair of 580's and while they do communicate better than your pair, one is the dominatrix and one is the submissive. I guess I just have the S&M set of Canon stobes. The Submissive is just touchier to set up. Surprisingly I discovered that on the submissive strobe i have to hold down control buttons longer to make changes such as channels when it is in master mode. Don't ask me to explain it because I can't.

The easiest thing I have found is to have the Dominatrix readily handy in the bag and the submissive put away in a compartment under one of my bodies for the times I need two or more strobes. Makes identifying them easier.


Maybe if I bought the submissive a whip?:) Never mind.


Are you sure that one of your strobes is not an illegal alien and does not speak the Canon language? ;)

[willstar]

Sorry, this tread made me chuckle. I too have a pair of 580's and while they do communicate better than your pair, one is the dominatrix and one is the submissive. I guess I just have the S&M set of Canon stobes. The Submissive is just touchier to set up. Surprisingly I discovered that on the submissive strobe i have to hold down control buttons longer to make changes such as channels when it is in master mode. Don't ask me to explain it because I can't.

The easiest thing I have found is to have the Dominatrix readily handy in the bag and the submissive put away in a compartment under one of my bodies for the times I need two or more strobes. Makes identifying them easier.


Maybe if I bought the submissive a whip?:) Never mind.


Are you sure that one of your strobes is not an illegal alien and does not speak the Canon language? ;)

Hehe - that is a good thought - maybe I'm not pressing hard enough. I'm sure it's not a "Canonese" issue, just age - when things get older they need more "coaxing" :rolleyes: :D

[willstar]

OK, so tried the suggestions re pressing buttons harder/longer on the offending flash, but still no go. I might be resigned to using the naff one on camera always, to ensure it will trigger the good one off-camera.

Any other thoughts out there?

[jmb4370]

Why don't you borrow or rent another 580EX flash unit that you know works in the correct commmunications. This borrowed flash (call it #3) can then be tested against your #1 and #2 flash units. Chances are there is a problem with your #1 or #2, but you will need the #3 unit to determine which one is the problem. You can then send the offending unit to Canon for a fixed fee repair, and it will come back like new.

[GerBee]

This can be a bane of a problem. Back in my Nikon days and their early implementation of this control, I had similar problems of one firing all, but not all firing all.

I have a 580EX with a stuck channel, this unit had been in the wars and medivaced to Canon, it came back with the unchangeable channel. Had to mark the units 1 & 2 and always had to use the newer one as master or A.

Your older unit was probably dropped, mine took a ferocious beating before it finally stopped working ~ Canon fixed it right up as time revealed, not 100%

[jmb4370]

If you paid a fixed price to Canon for the flash to be fixed, and it didn't come back 100%, you should complain, and send it back so they can fully replace the electronics. That is what is supposed to happen. When you put in the online service request, you need to really elaborate on what the problem is, so if it comes back with the same problem, you will have a leg to stand on.

[GerBee]

Are you replying to me?

My channel issue did not come to light for ages and ages after the repair.

My 580EX had been in floods, dropped several times and finally thrown up the steps of a church ~~~ where it died.

I had another 580EX kill itself by being stupid enough to give me 300 full manual flashes inside one hour.

Both fixed at the fixed fee. Guts stripped out and replaced, my burn out had a whole new top and new serial number but my lower casing and inside were the originals.

If you paid a fixed price to Canon for the flash to be fixed, and it didn't come back 100%, you should complain, and send it back so they can fully replace the electronics. That is what is supposed to happen. When you put in the online service request, you need to really elaborate on what the problem is, so if it comes back with the same problem, you will have a leg to stand on.

[willstar]

Why don't you borrow or rent another 580EX flash unit that you know works in the correct commmunications. This borrowed flash (call it #3) can then be tested against your #1 and #2 flash units. Chances are there is a problem with your #1 or #2, but you will need the #3 unit to determine which one is the problem. You can then send the offending unit to Canon for a fixed fee repair, and it will come back like new.

I might try that this weekend - we're having a local meet somewhere and there's 580's a'plenty. I know which is the offending one, though.

This can be a bane of a problem. Back in my Nikon days and their early implementation of this control, I had similar problems of one firing all, but not all firing all.

I have a 580EX with a stuck channel, this unit had been in the wars and medivaced to Canon, it came back with the unchangeable channel. Had to mark the units 1 & 2 and always had to use the newer one as master or A.

Your older unit was probably dropped, mine took a ferocious beating before it finally stopped working ~ Canon fixed it right up as time revealed, not 100%

Might have had some droppage - as I said, both were bought from POTN'ers so have got some "history".

I might just resort to your idea of marking them - although in my case it's the older one which needs to be master so it'll trigger the newer slave.

Thanks for the feedback, too, y'all.