Multiple speedlites to one remote receiver???

[texshooter]

Is it possible to connect, say, three 580exii's to a single Cybersync or PW transiever? There's got to be a splitter cable to allow a gang of stropes to be fired from the same receiver trigger, so I don't need to dangle so many triggers on top of each other? But then maybe I need a reality check.

[DYORD]

correct me if I'm wrong....
i think using a 580EX II, u can use 1 transmitter and a 580EX's receiver then the rest can be slaves of that 580EX that has a receiver...

Body (w/ transmitter)
580EX - A - Master ( w/ receiver )
580EX - B - Slave
580EX - C - Slave

[TMR Design]

Is it possible to connect, say, three 580exii's to a single Cybersync or PW transiever? There's got to be a splitter cable to allow a gang of stropes to be fired from the same receiver trigger, so I don't need to dangle so many triggers on top of each other? But then maybe I need a reality check.

You can safely split sync and feed multiple slaves from one trigger.

[Kevin Song Photography]

DYORD is correct - that'll work, but obviously not with the non-dedicated off camera manual flash units that a lot of people use for this stuff.

But yes, I believe you can split and use multiple flashes from one trigger. I know the cheap-o eBay ones can, and I see no reason why Cybersyncs or PWs can't. Nothing special going on, it's a simple switch/trigger - nothing that a split will affect.

[texshooter]

Anybody know the make and model of such a splitter cable. To piggy back two speedlites, the splitter cord would have to have two PC connectors that each goes into the flash units and one 2.5mm male mono connector that goes into the trigger.

But wouldn't the electrical signal that is sent from the trigger up two separate cords to the flash units be weakened to the point of failure? I would think the signal might become delayed.

[TMR Design]

Hermes has successfully split sync numerous times. He used something like this:
http://store.purplus.net/bero53hesp.html

The plug is connected to the sync jack of the trigger. Then you use miniphone to Nikon screw lock cables to connect the individual jacks on the splitter to the flashes.

If you want to look into this further you can check out the thread Hermes had started:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=680745

[texshooter]

That Belkin splitter looks amazing. I'll have to pick one up.

[Mark1]

They have PC cord splitters as well if you are useing a PC cord.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/95413-REG/General_Brand__3_Way_Flash_Sync_Adapter.html

[mufutau55]

If you want to do it with wire, you could use the splitter below, it uses 3.5mm and you coulod connect five flashes to it using one trigger and using more for more splitters. I have the same setup inspired by Hermes and tested it with out three flashes and it works, Hermes has also done the same here and confirmed it worked too.. So, see the link below, it's only $13.99 but you need to buy five more 3.5mm to 3.5mm long cables:

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-RockStar-3-5-mm-Headphone-Splitter/dp/B0017PG8KS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1251240861&sr=8-1

Mufutau

Is it possible to connect, say, three 580exii's to a single Cybersync or PW transiever? There's got to be a splitter cable to allow a gang of stropes to be fired from the same receiver trigger, so I don't need to dangle so many triggers on top of each other? But then maybe I need a reality check.

[Redfire_Cobra]

Does anyone know if this is possible to do with a PW FlexTT5 and retain ETTL, at a reasonable cost? I found a cord to do so on Amazon but it was only 30 or 40 less than a new PW transmitter.

[aram535]

I think the only thing you have to worry about is length. With standard receivers all it is, is a simple on signal short and to the point. However the longer each of the runs, and the more times you split it, the less power is going to be going to each receiving station.

I would think, though have not tested it, that the Flex doing ETTL, actually talks to the flash and is more than just a trigger.

[awdark]

I am probably being a pessimist here but is there a concern about the amperage going through the remote receiver? I know most of the flashes are the nice 6v or below ones, but if they are wired in parallel the amperage will be higher and more for the trigger to switch. I don't know what kind of switch or scr they use though.

Edit: looks like the other post did take a look at that issue seems fine O.o

[tim]

I am probably being a pessimist here...

Yes :p

...is there a concern about the amperage going through the remote receiver?

No.

[Austin.Manny]

I am probably being a pessimist too, but why would you wanna buy a set of PW if you're just gonna use cords for the others? I would use the ETTL method.

[photobitz]

I assume the idea is to trigger a group of flashes in one place creating a larger burst eg. to counter the sun. No point using more than one PW for that sort of thing. It then leaves you with spare PWs for other flashes in your setup...

Why ETTL?

[Redfire_Cobra]

I assume the idea is to trigger a group of flashes in one place creating a larger burst eg. to counter the sun. No point using more than one PW for that sort of thing. It then leaves you with spare PWs for other flashes in your setup...

Why ETTL?

Exactly my reasons. Why ETTL? For me it's just easier for on location shoots, sometimes I have to go manual to get the results I want but not often.

[photobitz]

You have Flexes so I understand that but I don't think you'll be able to feed ETTL info to more than 1 flash off a single receiver will you? For those who only have "dumb" triggers it would be manual all the way.

[Psychobiker]

As an EE, there is (on new, 6V flashes) microamperes (really, you don't even NEED to care about this level of current!) going through those terminals for something like 1/1000th of a second. Nominal power distribution is so pitiful I'm not even taking out my calculator to figure it out!

[Hermes]

Does anyone know if this is possible to do with a PW FlexTT5 and retain ETTL, at a reasonable cost? I found a cord to do so on Amazon but it was only 30 or 40 less than a new PW transmitter.

Funny you should mention it - I've got some raw materials on their way and I should hopefully have a post coming up on a cheap and relatively easy way to split ETTL. Will also test with PW Flex.

For those of you worried about the possible dangers of splitting conventional sync with the method I posted before, I've wired 10 540EZs to one Skyport receiver and used them for a full day's shooting with no issues.

[mufutau55]

I will be very intrested in your testing the Flex with the splitting of ETTL. Looking forward to this. Thanks.

Mufutau

Funny you should mention it - I've got some raw materials on their way and I should hopefully have a post coming up on a cheap and relatively easy way to split ETTL. Will also test with PW Flex.

For those of you worried about the possible dangers of splitting conventional sync with the method I posted before, I've wired 10 540EZs to one Skyport receiver and used them for a full day's shooting with no issues.

[photobitz]

I have come across an ETTL splitter cord before so I know it is possible. Unfortunately I didn't have a chance to check how exactly it was done. The particular one I used simply had a second ETTL-enabled shoe mounted above the camera side (possibly the flash->camera communication was disabled for one shoe?) I would have to assume that any flashes wired together on such a cord would share the same ETTL information so this would only really be of assistance where you are using them in tight groups.

[tim]

I have come across an ETTL splitter cord before so I know it is possible. Unfortunately I didn't have a chance to check how exactly it was done. The particular one I used simply had a second ETTL-enabled shoe mounted above the camera side (possibly the flash->camera communication was disabled for one shoe?) I would have to assume that any flashes wired together on such a cord would share the same ETTL information so this would only really be of assistance where you are using them in tight groups.

It might be possible and may even work, but I don't think it's a great idea. When the ETTL preflash is triggered light will come from each of the attached flashes, it'll be metered, then the flash exposure will be set. Multiple flash units may confuse things, or it may adjust automatically.

If you need mulitple light sources i'd suggest manual, with radio slaves.

[photobitz]

That's why I think only one flash would be used for sending metering info back to the camera. I agree though, I would prefer to work with manual settings... would still be interested to see how well a multi-ETTL setup would work.

[aram535]

Ok so I "borrowed" a flex and tried to set off two flashes, neither would go off. This is a 1Ds Mark II + Mini --> Flex -> {custom wire} -> 2 430EX II.

I tried one flash at a time on each connection and that worked, so I think the wire is good but the flex is getting confusing data from two flashes.

In case you were wondering with 1 flash and a direct connection I was able to get 1/1000th synced shot off remotely. I'm impressed.

[Hermes]

That's why I think only one flash would be used for sending metering info back to the camera. I agree though, I would prefer to work with manual settings... would still be interested to see how well a multi-ETTL setup would work.

The flash doesn't send metering info back to the camera though - it fires a pre-flash at a fixed level, the camera then evaluates that preflash through the lens and calculates what power level the flash will need for a correct exposure, and finally transmits that info the the flash.

If there is a problem splitting with the flex it is most likely due to the way the flex works rather than the ettl system. The Flex may need to confirm there is a flash in its upper hotshoe in order to switch to ettl mode, and that ability might be hampered with two flashes there.

As to the people who have questioned the value of splitting ETTL, the whole point of it is to be able to use multiple speedlites in manual mode, but retaining features such as remote adjustment and HSS. If you're firing 2, 4, 8 speedlites into the same umbrella or diffusion panel to overpower the sun, it's much more convenient to have one flex and then a cable that connects it to all the flashes, than to have a seperate flex on each flash.