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View Full Version : 580EX, how to turn off flash and only use the AF assist ?

Dan GSR
14th of July 2005 (Thu), 08:23
I have a Canon 580EX
Is there a way to prevent the flash from firing, and still be able to use the infrared AF assist ?
etaf
14th of July 2005 (Thu), 08:30
you could just put it on it lowest power and point it upwards - no idea if this would all AF assist to still work - just an idea
EricKonieczny
14th of July 2005 (Thu), 08:34
is it possible with the Rebel XT, i don't know the Custom Functions. But with my 20D, I use it quite often, and it is CFN #7 I beleive. It works great.
Dan GSR
14th of July 2005 (Thu), 08:50
I don't think my 350D has that as a CF

:cry:
etaf
14th of July 2005 (Thu), 09:19
On the 20D you have CF
CF5 - enables AF beam -set to 2 for external flash
CF7 - set to 1 - flash does not fire
On the 350XT
have a look a CF 5 - does the same - eables AF beam
but does not seem to have a turn off
HKFEVER
14th of July 2005 (Thu), 09:41
I don't think you can do that. In the custom function, you can turn off the AF-assist beam but no selection for turn off the flash.

Buy a ST-E2 or may be with a piece of tin foil.:lol: :p
steven
14th of July 2005 (Thu), 11:29
You could set up the 580 like it was going to do wireless flash control. Then configure the master flash to not go off.
Then it would only do the AF-assist.
scottbergerphoto
14th of July 2005 (Thu), 13:27
You could set up the 580 like it was going to do wireless flash control. Then configure the master flash to not go off.
Then it would only do the AF-assist.
Exactly. Set the flash to Master Flash Off using the LCD panel.
Todd Jacobsen
14th of July 2005 (Thu), 15:01
Exactly. Set the flash to Master Flash Off using the LCD panel.

Be forewarned, there will be a pre-flash even if Mater Flash is set to Off.
tim
14th of July 2005 (Thu), 16:15
On the 20D I have a custom function called "flash fires". Turn that off and the AF assist beam still works. The 350D should have the same function, I guess.
Dan GSR
14th of July 2005 (Thu), 16:17
On the 20D I have a custom function called "flash fires". Turn that off and the AF assist beam still works. The 350D should have the same function, I guess.


The 350D doesn't have that function
tim
14th of July 2005 (Thu), 17:06
The 350D doesn't have that function

Bummer. Does the 580 have any functions itself that will let you disable it?
jfred
15th of July 2005 (Fri), 08:05
Bummer. Does the 580 have any functions itself that will let you disable it?

no it doesn't (at least from my reading of the manual, the custom functions of the flash unit itself don't provide that feature)

I guess you could always focus-lock with the assist beam, and then turn the power off the flash gun (if you are highly dextrous!) :rolleyes: