Spiralite 600 Optical Slave & pre-flash

[Jeff]

I just got a Spiralite 600 to use as an extra light, triggered by the 430EX on top of the camera. Problem is, it fires with the pre-flash causing underexposed images. I tried going to M on the camera but it still fires the pre-flash. I didn't think it would.

Does the 430EX have to be in M mode too? Is there another way to drop the pre-flash?

Also, there's a little crystal thing that came with the light called a "Plug in slave". Anyone know what that's used for?

Thanks for any info!

[snails]

I imagine you can disable the pre-flash somehow. Since my setup does not pre-flash I couldn't tell you how to do it.

[bryank930]

You have to put the flash in M in order to disable the pre-flash. Press MODE on the back of the flash. It'll be a little tricky to adjust for a while, but you'll get the hang of it.

[FlashZebra]

If you have a Canon DSLR you cannot disable the preflash, even if you set the camera to manual. You can wait for others to chastise me for being to succinct by not mentioning the clunky FEL button workaround.

Enjoy! Lon

[dpds68]

If you have a Canon DSLR you cannot disable the preflash, even if you set the camera to manual. You can wait for others to chastise me for being to succinct by not mentioning the clunky FEL button workaround.

Enjoy! Lon


But if he uses his 430EX in Manual wont it work ?

[FlashZebra]

But if he uses his 430EX in Manual wont it work ?
If you place the 430EX on the camera and set it to manual it will work, but it is not obvious to me that is what the OP intends. Possibly that is the intent, but I am not sure.

Enjoy! Lon

[Jeff]

Thanks for the useful answers. I was able to get this to work by placing the 430EX in manual mode and then taking the picture. Works great! Man that slave is bright. Now I'm curious what the GN might be. I really had to stop down to get the exposure right.

Here's a test with our Bearded Dragon - Jeremy. He didn't complain at all.