Canon off-shoe-cord modifications?

[PekkaM]

I was wondering if I should make the change on my cable changeable. The spiral cable it has is way too short and very easily pulls my flash tripod over with even slightest movement.

Would it be possible to remove the cable from shoe ends and install jacks to the end pieces? How many signal wires there are altogether in this cord and would longer cable cause any problems?

The best thing would of course be if somebody has already done this and put a guide on the net.

[tim]

Or you could go wireless. More expensive, but easier, and less cords lying around to trip over. IMHO the off shoe cord is for use with flash brackets and not much else.

[tlpierce]

Would it be possible to remove the cable from shoe ends and install jacks to the end pieces?

I did something similar. Instead of removing the cable from the shoe ends, I simply cut the cable in the middle and spliced in a keyboard extension cable (doing it this way means that you can plug together as many extension cables as you like for whatever length you need) And also these cables are available at any computer store.

How many signal wires there are altogether in this cord and would longer cable cause any problems?


A keyboard extension cable has one extra signal wire (just connect it to the shield for an extra ground) - I've used a 3 foot plus a 12 foot together with no problems.

Tom

[PekkaM]

Yeah, why not. Then I probably should buy another 550EX because the price is 300$ compared to 200$ transmitter... Or maybe 580EX that I could use as my primary flash then.

I've been a bit doubtful about these IR-transmissions. How well do they work if the remote flash isn't directly visible from the IR transmitter? Can the transmitter on 550EX or 580EX be used to make only the remote flash fire?

[robertwgross]

I've been a bit doubtful about these IR-transmissions. How well do they work if the remote flash isn't directly visible from the IR transmitter? Can the transmitter on 550EX or 580EX be used to make only the remote flash fire?

The wireless slave flash must be able to see the wireless master, or it must be able to see the command data in the light bounced from the wireless master. On a wireless master, you can leave it as a wireless master and still turn the main flash pop off.

---Bob Gross---

[EricKonieczny]

The Canon STE2 Speedlite Transmitter for 580EX/550EX/420EX Speedlites works really good .

I have a freind who always uses it with his 580 and gets great results.

It is on my wishlist

[robertwgross]

The Canon STE2 Speedlite Transmitter for 580EX/550EX/420EX Speedlites works really good .

Be careful on range.

The STE2 works OK as a wireless master, but it's Guide Number, expressed in meters at ISO 100, is ZERO.

---Bob Gross---

[Jon]

Be careful on range.

The STE2 works OK as a wireless master, but it's Guide Number, expressed in meters at ISO 100, is ZERO.

---Bob Gross---

Ah, but if you use it at ISO 3200, it has a GN of 0*2^5. Anyone worked out whether it has a measurable IR light output?

[Ian Parkin]

I did the same as tlpierce
carefully opened up the flashgun end ,removed the end of the curly wire then soldered on a din plug with 6 pins ( ps2 type)..... then soldered a short length of nice screened cable onto the loose flashgun end and soldered on a socket .....cable was only 3 inches long..
so off shoe cord was then back to standard of sorts.
Then putting whatever length extension cable you desire inbetween..
But then i bought a st-e2 so never use the cable now but it looks professional with the black plugs and matching black extension cable (3 metres I tried)
Ian