7d wireless flash control.. quick question

[hslxsmd]

wireless flash controls.. does that mean i can control my 430exII off camera? w/o the use of any 3rd party hardware?? can someone better explain??
thanks in advance

[krb]

wireless flash controls.. does that mean i can control my 430exII off camera? w/o the use of any 3rd party hardware?? Yes. :D

[johnz]

Do you know if it uses IR like the st-e2? Wonder how well it works.. the st-e2 is one bulky IR gun, and it does the job pretty well. I am just thinking how well can an integrated (small) IR gun work.. Hopefully it uses some other way for transmitting signals.

[sdsviet]

im thinking it has to use ir since it needs to be backwards compartible with all the flashes

[Todd Lambert]

Yeah, I'm curious too, but I'm really leaning towards it being the exact same as the st-e2. I'm curious is it's got the same range?

[cccc]

hidden radio recievers in ex flashes?

[Todd Lambert]

LOL - that would be epic...

[FlyingPhotog]

hidden radio recievers in ex flashes?

Great...

Here come the "Where is the hidden receiver in my Speedlite?" threads... :lol:

[Todd Lambert]

The new 1D Mk IV is going to have Wired Flash... you heard it here, first!

[Tiberius]

BTW, the speelights work with visible light, not just IR. The only reason that the ST-E2 uses IR is to avoid nasty on camera flashes that can be distracting. Using a 580EX as a controller uses visible light. If the 7D uses the built in flash as a controller, then it will be using visible light as well.

[BugEyes]

wireless flash controls.. does that mean i can control my 430exII off camera? w/o the use of any 3rd party hardware?? can someone better explain??
thanks in advance

Yes, it uses quick flashes from the built in flash to control your 430 just like if you remoted it from a 580.

[johnz]

That does make much more sense than a poor ir transmitter. But i will probably keep my st-e2 anyway..

[krb]

Like they said, it uses the pop-up flash to send visible light signals. Supposedly it can be configured so that the pop-up only sends the coded signals and doesn't flash while the shutter is open.

[KAS]

does this mean that the next 1-series camera will have integrated wireless RF control of a new 580EXIII?

[Roy Mathers]

I know that this has been skirted around, but can someone definitely answer that the 580EX flash (for example) has a built in receptor for these trigger devices? Thanks.

[krb]

580EX can function as either a master or a slave. 430EX can function as a slave.

[cccc]

canon says the wireless transmitter is in the battery grip

for 700

[krb]

does this mean that the next 1-series camera will have integrated wireless RF control of a new 580EXIII?
Not necessarily. The control on the 7D is just adding the software to send signals using the built in flash. Something that should have been included on every rebel and xxD camera that has a pop-up flash. The 5D and 1D series cameras do not have built-in flashes so there's more to it than new software.

Besides, I'd expect most people using 1-series cameras to use pocket wizards rather than be constrained by Canon's wireless system.

[KAS]

Not necessarily. The control on the 7D is just adding the software to send signals using the built in flash. Something that should have been included on every rebel and xxD camera that has a pop-up flash. The 5D and 1D series cameras do not have built-in flashes so there's more to it than new software.

Besides, I'd expect most people using 1-series cameras to use pocket wizards rather than be constrained by Canon's wireless system.



right....but wouldn't it be nice to not have to buy third-party hardware in order to satisfy your wireless needs? I see quantum with their RF wireless flashes, and wonder whether Canon could integrate wireless right into the camera (Using some newfangled 580s as RF slaves). Canon already has in-camera control of wireless flashes. All that needs to happen is for the wireless connection to switch from optical to radio.

Canon could clean up if they did this. Nobody would need to buy PWs or RPs

[Roy Mathers]

580EX can function as either a master or a slave. 430EX can function as a slave.

canon says the wireless transmitter is in the battery grip

for 700
Nevertheless, may I repeat my question - 'I know that this has been skirted around, but can someone definitely answer that the 580EX flash (for example) has a built in receptor for these trigger devices? Thanks.'

[krb]

Everybody says RF is too hard because of all the different national restrictions they'd have to comply with. I guess I'll take their word for it but there doesn't seem to be a shortage of RF triggers on the market.

Regardless, I'm very happy to see that they are finally including the abililty to control my 430 and 580 flashes without needing to buy anything extra.

[mchong75]

I guess I'll be selling my PW's.

[krb]

Nevertheless, may I repeat my question - 'I know that this has been skirted around, but can someone definitely answer that the 580EX flash (for example) has a built in receptor for these trigger devices? Thanks.'
You're confusing two different things. The wireless in the grip is wireless ethernet that can also trigger other cameras. It is completely seperate from the flash system.

[KAS]

Everybody says RF is too hard because of all the different national restrictions they'd have to comply with. I guess I'll take their word for it but there doesn't seem to be a shortage of RF triggers on the market.

Regardless, I'm very happy to see that they are finally including the abililty to control my 430 and 580 flashes without needing to buy anything extra.



To makes things really complicated...they could also add the geotagging stuff (that everyone seems to think is super important), and use GPS to determine which range of frequencies you can or cannot use. :)

But really, I'm sure it can be as simple of firmware tweaks to change the operating frequency, so put different firmware on the Camera depending on where in the world it's shipped. I don't think that would affect production costs that much.

One can dream, though...

[Roy Mathers]

You're confusing two different things. The wireless in the grip is wireless ethernet that can also trigger other cameras. It is completely seperate from the flash system.

I'm not talking about the 'wireless in the grip'. What I'm getting at is the fact that the 7d reputedly can fire the 580EX remotely. Therefore, it must have a transmitter of some sort built into the camera. What I'm asking is - does the flashgun have the sensor already built into it?

[krb]

Dude, I know it's late over there. Maybe get some sleep and try reading this thread again in the morning. Maybe start with my post at the top of this page.

ETA: perhaps the part missing from this thread is an explanation of Canon's wireless system. Communication is performed by pulsed flashing from the master unit using either visible or near IR light. A pulse telling the slaves to fire their pre-flash for metering, the camera calculates the flash settings needed, then the master fires a coded pulse telling the slaves what level to fire at, then a pulse for the the actual "fire" command. What the 7D has that no other EOS camera can claim is that the 7D can use the pop-up flash to send these coded pulses.

[pwm2]

I'm not talking about the 'wireless in the grip'. What I'm getting at is the fact that the 7d reputedly can fire the 580EX remotely. Therefore, it must have a transmitter of some sort built into the camera. What I'm asking is - does the flashgun have the sensor already built into it?
The 580EX can be a remote master or a remote slave. Being a slave implies that it can receive the light pulses sent by a master.

[Roy Mathers]

Dude, I know it's late over there. Maybe get some sleep and try reading this thread again in the morning. Maybe start with my post at the top of this page.

It's actually not late over here. With respect, the OP asked a question ie 'wireless flash controls.. does that mean i can control my 430exII off camera? w/o the use of any 3rd party hardware?? can someone better explain?? thanks in advance' to which you answered 'yes'. To my mind, that isn't explaining. Why is it so difficult to get a straight answer to my question - are the receivers already built into the flashgun?

[Roy Mathers]

The 580EX can be a remote master or a remote slave. Being a slave implies that it can receive the light pulses sent by a master.

At last! Thank you very much.

[krb]

Why is it so difficult to get a straight answer to my question - are the receivers already built into the flashgun?
Top of this page, posted an hour ago...

[jacuff]

Top of this page, posted an hour ago...

What? The top of the page is the first post for me.... Not everybody has the default number of posts per page. ;)

[cccc]

the grip has a usb port... essential to plugging your flash drive in!

I wasn't aware that the wireless grip transmitted other frequencies (not IR). Though that sounds promising - i wonder how many people will opt for this expensive option when it doesn't even allow for another battery, you have to buy the other grip for that.

[CliffordPhotography]

11K + post and hes asking that qustion.

[pwm2]

the grip has a usb port... essential to plugging your flash drive in!

I wasn't aware that the wireless grip transmitted other frequencies (not IR). Though that sounds promising - i wonder how many people will opt for this expensive option when it doesn't even allow for another battery, you have to buy the other grip for that.
That grip is mainly to interface your camera wirelessly with your computer. You are often indoor so the number of concurrent batteries may not be important.

Since it support WLAN, it must obviously use radio frequencies - the same frequencies your WLAN routers and WLAN adapters in the laptops is using.

The grip is very expensive, because it is intended for a very special group of users.

I would expect a lot of users of the wireless grip to combine it with a faked camea battery, to allow the camera to be constantly fed from the wall socket.

[apersson850]

In which case they just as well can connect an Ethernet cable too, since it will not be wireless any more.

The idea above about using GPS to determine which frequencies you can use doesn't work. National regulations in certain countries require non-allowed frequencies to be disabled by hardware. Cutting a jumper is sufficient.
(These things happen to be my profession, so that's how I know).

The communication grip (my name for it, since I think it's more than just a "wireless grip") is nice, but usually too expensive for a regular amateur.

[pwm2]

In which case they just as well can connect an Ethernet cable too, since it will not be wireless any more.

The idea above about using GPS to determine which frequencies you can use doesn't work. National regulations in certain countries require non-allowed frequencies to be disabled by hardware. Cutting a jumper is sufficient.
(These things happen to be my profession, so that's how I know).

The communication grip (my name for it, since I think it's more than just a "wireless grip") is nice, but usually too expensive for a regular amateur.
The camera will probably be connected by wire (at least for power). But the grip may still use WLAN, to allow the laptop to be moved around. The alternative is to use a cable from the grip to an external WLAN router, to allow better range.

[sdsviet]

how come this thread is getting a lot of action. isnt the 7d wifi grip pretty much the same as all the other canon wifi grips that are out? just wondering if there's anything special about this grip that the others dont have.

[apersson850]

Probably to sort out the confusion between wireless flash control and wireless networks.

Besides, does it matter? But it's true that the new communcation grip does have features not found on the similar devices for the 1D Mark III and the 40D/50D.

[aroundlsu]

As has been said already, is canons wireless flash system uses either visible light or IR transmitters. The receiving flash must be able to see the transmitter just like your TV has to be able to see your remote control. Easy with your TV, not so easy with flashes.

I gave up on relying on the canon wireless system and built my own wired connectors and splitters out of speaker wire. My wired system cost about $10, works everytime, and can go as far as I have cable.

I will invest in pocket wizards eventually, but in the meantime the wires are much less of a headache than the damn canon wireless gimmick.

[Canon Man 50d]

Will it wireless control my Sigma EF-530 DG Super Flash ?

[krb]

how come this thread is getting a lot of action. isnt the 7d wifi grip pretty much the same as all the other canon wifi grips that are out? just wondering if there's anything special about this grip that the others dont have.
While it has been sidetracked some, the thread is about wireless ETTL that is built into the 7D, not the wireless network offered by the very expensive optional grip.

And if the thread were about the wireless grip, there are some features it contains that are not available on the other grips.

[tongki]

The problem with ST-E2 and 7D wireless flash trigger,
that it is direct,
I prefer using 580EX II as MASTER

[Canon Man 50d]

the grip has a usb port... essential to plugging your flash drive in!

I wasn't aware that the wireless grip transmitted other frequencies (not IR). Though that sounds promising - i wonder how many people will opt for this expensive option when it doesn't even allow for another battery, you have to buy the other grip for that.

I have ordered the battery grip with mine as I like feel of it I think its more balanced when I had one on my 50d, if the wireless grip had the extra battery in as well i would have ordered that one, but i suppose there was not enough room to include it

[pwm2]

I have ordered the battery grip with mine as I like feel of it I think its more balanced when I had one on my 50d, if the wireless grip had the extra battery in as well i would have ordered that one, but i suppose there was not enough room to include it
With the 5Dmk2 I have managed 1500 pictures with two batteries dropping to 70% capacity, indicating that two batteries should be enough for about 4500 pictures. If the 7D is similar, I would expect most user to be fine with a single battery in the camera.

[apersson850]

Playing extremely much with the menus, live view, video and so on with the 7D, I had to recharge after less than 50 images.

[SMP_Homer]

7D wireless flash = no HSS
ST-E2 = HSS capable

definitely need to keep the ST-E2 now...

[I_ask2learn_I_learn2ask]

Dearest KAS and KRB:

Me thinks I am in love with you... Or at least your gear set up.

*sigh*

only to be a grown up one day, or at least have grown up gear - this baby steps stuff is just plain painful...... my over laps are just plain dumb, and I am trying to sell...

Just wanted to tell u I was jealous is alll.

Kim