Measuring slave 430EX with Sekonic 358

[telles75]

I have been trying to take measurements on a 2 light scenario but cannot get any reading from the slave 430EX.

Ok here is the setting:

- 580EX II on camera shoe in Manual and master mode
- 430EX off camera on slave mode

I get the reading from the 580EXII however when I switch it off just to measure the 430EX I do not get any reading. Obviously it is flashing since the photos come out fine.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks for you help.

[tim]

Put the 430EX in manual mode, turn off the slave function, press test and have the light meter in the same mode. That's all there is to it.

[Curtis N]

Try using a slower shutter speed setting on the meter. Otherwise it may only measure the command flash from the master and not the slave flash.

[tim]

Meters have shutter speeds? With my L358 I just put it in the mode that sees a flash and tells me how bright it is. I don't know what the mode's called because I didn't read the manual.

[telles75]

Thanks for the tip Tim that works but the problem is that I need the ability to shoot and measure the light from the subject position, so the only way to trigger the 430EX is using the remote control in my hand to trigger the camera hence the master sends the command to the slave and I measure it from there.


Curtis, I was originally shooting at 1/250 and what you are saying crossed my mind. I even verified this by turning off the master and put the lightmeter facing it and I was getting the command flash. I lowered to 1/60 but still no reading from the slave. I even tried facing the slave to the opposite side of the room to avoid the command flash misleading the lightmeter, but still nothing.

[tim]

You can't do it like that, you can only meter one flash, if you trigger it via the master you're not metering the correct flash. Get someone to help you, run everything in manual.

[telles75]

Thanks again Tim, I just wanted to double check if I was doing something wrong; may be like you say it is not possible to do it remotely. Oh, well I guess another reason why to keep saving for the Skyports I want for Xmas :)

[Titus213]

I have been trying to take measurements on a 2 light scenario but cannot get any reading from the slave 430EX.

Ok here is the setting:

- 580EX II on camera shoe in Manual and master mode
- 430EX off camera on slave mode

I get the reading from the 580EXII however when I switch it off just to measure the 430EX I do not get any reading. Obviously it is flashing since the photos come out fine.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks for you help.

I must be missing something. What would trip your 430EX to measure it with the master turned off?

Try shielding the flash meter from the master with your body when you take the reading?

[telles75]

I meant the master flash turned OFF (meaning the light it self not the unit). When the 580EX is set to OFF (meaning zero light) it still has to shoot a preflash to send the information to the slave, hence it confuses the light meter. Like I said, I even did the test aiming both flashes to the opposite walls of the room and still could not get any reading from the slave. Plain weird! Not sure why it does not read it :(

[themirage]

I've had the same problem and just gave up on it. When I want to measure slave power I just shield the light meter with my hand so main flash light doesn't hit it.

[Titus213]

I've had the same problem and just gave up on it. When I want to measure slave power I just shield the light meter with my hand so main flash light doesn't hit it.

Some of us have bodies that are quite well adapted to shielding things from light.:lol:

[themirage]

Hehe, well since I got out of college my ability to shield the light with my body has improved as well. :D