Metering the 5xx EX series lights.

[beaconlightboy]

Hey all, i was messing around with my (2) 550ex's and my one 580ex (which i really like). i was setting up ratios and such and was wondering if there is any easy way to meter them one at a time? i tried ETTL ratio setups but the shots all came out terribly.. could've been me, but i find that ETTL with my 580EX works quite well if you know when to stepper down a few notches and when not.. so........ i would be interested in knowing how some of you pro's out there meter your slaves?

[scottbergerphoto]

It makes no sense to meter individually flashes in wireless ETTL. Any change you make in f stop will just be readjusted by the system. You can do wireless Manual flash with an external meter. Instructions on how to do that are in the 550EX manual.

The two main ways of adjusting flash output in Wireless ETTL:
1. Flash ratios with each flash in a different group.
2. Set FEC individually on each flash with each flash in the same group.

[beaconlightboy]

Yes, i am aware that you wouldnt want to meter in ETTL mode. i was referring to manual mode. i will check the manual again, however i didnt see it in there during my first read thru. just a few sentences that said, use manual metering for manual mode.. i will look thru it again tonight see if i missed it.

[scottbergerphoto]

Pages 108-110 in the 550EX manual.

[beaconlightboy]

Ok, i figured there was some other way than pressing the pilot buttin. anyway, if you have two slave groups A and B each consisting of one flash unit, how do you set the output of the on camera flash for fill? my 580 doesnt seem to allow me to set it manually and use slave groups. i can set the flash to on, but i have no idea what its output will be or how to adjust it?

[scottbergerphoto]

The easiest way to use wireless ETTL if you are allergic to ratios and manuals is:
1. On camera flash set to Master, Group A
2. Off camera flash set to Slave, Group A (Not a misprint).
3. Set FEC individually on each flash (- or +)
If you set the flashes to different groups, the FEC on the Master will affect both flashes.

[beaconlightboy]

ok, but what about manual mode. i hate E-TTL for ratio's, becuase i can't get it to work well, and that may be just me.. but i can live with that..:rolleyes:

[scottbergerphoto]

See page 108-110. You cant use manual and use the 550 as a simple optical slave.

[beaconlightboy]

im not sure i follow you there. you mean i cant use the on camera 550 flash as a slave? i currently use my 580EX for a master and my 550EX's (2) for slaves. i have the 580EX flash set to off because i dont know what setting it is going to fire at. your statement sounds like i can't do what i am already doing.. using my 580EX for a master, and 2 550EX's as slaves with ratio's. that works great, once i bloody meter them and get them setup. could you clarify a bit.. you'll have to forgive my ignorance on this, but i have been programming T-SQL all day and my brain is fried.

[accord]

You cannot "use the 550 as a simple optical slave".

You can use it as E-TTL (II) slave, as what you did.

[scottbergerphoto]

You cannot put both flashes on Manual and have one fire the other as you would with optical slaves. You either use wireless ETTL or use one flash. The only other option is to use hot shoe adapters and Pocket Wizards with a receiver for each flash.

[beaconlightboy]

Um, guys. i set my 550EX's as slaves to my 580EX with ratio's not using ETTL. so i'm not sure what yall are getting at. I had the 580EX set to multi, set the ratio's and it worked fine. did i miss something.?

[scottbergerphoto]

The confusion arises from the terminology you are using. You cannot put each flash in Manual Mode and set the power individually on each flash and use the Master Flash to fire both flashes as an optical slave would.
You can:
1. Use the Master flash to fire a group of flashes in Manual Mode at the same power.
2. Use the Master flash to fire a group of flashes in Manual Mode at varied power output using ratios.
All the programming in 1 and 2 is done on the Master.
The end result may be the same, but the set up is much different.

[beaconlightboy]

ok, sorry to confuse you all..lol.. so now onto the question thats eating me up. if i have my 580EX set to multi and i ratio my 2 550EX lights, one at 1/4, and the other at 1/16, and i leave my 580EX flash on, what will it fire at and how does it determine that setting?

this is my problem.. i want the third fill light but i don't know how to set that 580EX to do this.

[scottbergerphoto]

The Master defaults to Group A. You have to set power settings for A, B, and C (if there is C.)