Master/Slave on Flash units

Shado 1 · 6th of January 2008 (Sun)

I currently have a Canon 550EX Flash that I will want to use as a slave unit. If I get a Canon 580EX II, can I use it to trigger the 550? What about a step further...can both flashes be triggered by the onboard flash on my 40D?

CyberPet · 6th of January 2008 (Sun)

Yes, either the 550 or the 580 can be a master. But not your onboard flash.

Mark_Cohran · 6th of January 2008 (Sun)

Yes, the 580EX II can trigger the 550EX, and no, the 40D onboard will not trigger the 580 or the 550. To do that you'll need the ST-E2 transmitter (to set flash ratios) or you'll need to attach some other separate triggers (optical slave sensors such as those made by Wein) to trigger them, but you lose automatic flash ratios going that route.

Shado 1 · 6th of January 2008 (Sun)

Thanks for the responses. I'm wanting to use the 550 for some side lighting with a reflector and wanted to make sure the 580 would trigger it. I may look into getting a 430 to use for back lighting.

SwiftFootTim · 6th of January 2008 (Sun)

Does anyone have a good article or website to read up on using flashes Master and Slave style and possibly talking about how they work and such?

PacAce · 6th of January 2008 (Sun)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwiftFootTim

Does anyone have a good article or website to read up on using flashes Master and Slave style and possibly talking about how they work and such?

Have you seen my ETTL Wireless Remote Flash tutorials (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...php?t=385912)? If not, that might be a good starting point.

SwiftFootTim · 6th of January 2008 (Sun)

Just what I was looking for PacAce! Thanks much!

6th of January 2008 (Sun)	#1
Shado 1 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 44	Master/Slave on Flash units I currently have a Canon 550EX Flash that I will want to use as a slave unit. If I get a Canon 580EX II, can I use it to trigger the 550? What about a step further...can both flashes be triggered by the onboard flash on my 40D? __________________ Chuck ::Online Photo Album:: ::Gear List::

6th of January 2008 (Sun)	#2
CyberPet Hiding Under a Rock Join Date: May 2005 Location: Piteå, Sweden Posts: 4,052 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Master/Slave on Flash units Yes, either the 550 or the 580 can be a master. But not your onboard flash. __________________ /Petra Hall Click here to view my geeky gear list I shoot as much as possible in available light... sometimes, my flash is available – Joe Buissink

6th of January 2008 (Sun)	#3
Mark_Cohran Moderator Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 15,543	Re: Master/Slave on Flash units Yes, the 580EX II can trigger the 550EX, and no, the 40D onboard will not trigger the 580 or the 550. To do that you'll need the ST-E2 transmitter (to set flash ratios) or you'll need to attach some other separate triggers (optical slave sensors such as those made by Wein) to trigger them, but you lose automatic flash ratios going that route. __________________ Mark ----- Some primes, some zooms, some Ls, some bodies and they all play nice together. Thirty-five years of shooting and still learning. My G&N Blog (NSFW)- My Complete Gear List - Mac-Photo Website - *My Tumblr Site* (NSFW) G&N FORUM EARLY ACCESS & IMAGE POSTING RULES

6th of January 2008 (Sun)	#4
Shado 1 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 44	Re: Master/Slave on Flash units Thanks for the responses. I'm wanting to use the 550 for some side lighting with a reflector and wanted to make sure the 580 would trigger it. I may look into getting a 430 to use for back lighting. __________________ Chuck ::Online Photo Album:: ::Gear List::

6th of January 2008 (Sun)	#5
SwiftFootTim Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,016 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Master/Slave on Flash units Does anyone have a good article or website to read up on using flashes Master and Slave style and possibly talking about how they work and such? __________________ Canon 1D MkIIn, 580 EX II, 430 EX, 17-40 f/4L, 85mm f/1.8, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS, Sigma 300 f/2.8 EX DG HSM, Lowepro Flipside 400 AW

6th of January 2008 (Sun)	#7
SwiftFootTim Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,016 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Master/Slave on Flash units Just what I was looking for PacAce! Thanks much! __________________ Canon 1D MkIIn, 580 EX II, 430 EX, 17-40 f/4L, 85mm f/1.8, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS, Sigma 300 f/2.8 EX DG HSM, Lowepro Flipside 400 AW

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