How to get 580ex to sync with studio strobes?

ashdavid · 23rd of May 2009 (Sat)

As the title says how to get 580ex to sync with studio strobes? The 580ex on the 1Ds MKIII seems to fire early or late , b/c the only light showing in the flash from the 580 on the hotshoe? Any suggestions?

NVcameraman · 23rd of May 2009 (Sat)

The flash if used in anything other than manual will have a pre flash for the ETTL to operate. This pre flash is setting of your studio strobe if they are on optical slaves.

Mr. Clean · 23rd of May 2009 (Sat)

Exactly.
Set the 580 to manual and your studio slaves to optical. Or just use radio triggers for them all. Boom - done!

ashdavid · 23rd of May 2009 (Sat)

Thanks guys I will give that a try!

ashdavid · 25th of May 2009 (Mon)

Still not working. I put the 580EX on the hotshoe in maual mode and fired it as the master and had the studio strobes set to react to the flash on the camera and it still seems to be firing unsyncronized

Should I use a flash cord attached to the strobes, but even that did not work when I tried. I don't know what I am doing wrong

?

tim · 25th of May 2009 (Mon)

You have the flash in manual mode? What happens when you hit the test button, do they all fire? This is typically very very simple and pretty foolproof.

SkipD · 25th of May 2009 (Mon)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashdavid

Still not working. I put the 580EX on the hotshoe in maual mode and fired it as the master and had the studio strobes set to react to the flash on the camera and it still seems to be firing unsyncronized

Should I use a flash cord attached to the strobes, but even that did not work when I tried. I don't know what I am doing wrong

?

In order for any Speedlite to work in conjunction with studio flash units, the camera and Speedlite MUST both be in manual exposure modes. That means using "M" setting on the camera's exposure mode dial. Since I only have a 420EX I cannot tell you how to set the Speedlite up for manual.

I suspect you may be using one of the magic exposure modes on the camera ("green box", "P", or any of the "picture" positions on the dial) and the flash is being forced into using ETTL protocol to establish exposure.

You will need to set the shutter at or slower than the "max sync speed" for the camera (read the manual to be sure what the max sync speed is for your camera). The aperture (and/or the output level of the flash units) will have to be set to control the exposure.

tim · 25th of May 2009 (Mon)

Use 1/100th for your shutter to start with. Actually just use 1/100th, makes little difference anyway with studio lights.

fivegallon · 25th of May 2009 (Mon)

Well i just tried to do this and had no issues. 5D, 580EX, Elinchrom FX400's.
Elinchroms set to optic sensor. Flash works in either Master or Off mode. Camera works in manual, av,tv,p, and even green box mode (auto switches flash from manual to ettl here).All other settings flash was in manual.
That aside it fired every time fully synchronised without fail.

edit: Also tried it with and without HSS and still fired in both modes at 1/100, 1/160, 1/200

ashdavid · 25th of May 2009 (Mon)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkipD

In order for any Speedlite to work in conjunction with studio flash units, the camera and Speedlite MUST both be in manual exposure modes. That means using "M" setting on the camera's exposure mode dial. Since I only have a 420EX I cannot tell you how to set the Speedlite up for manual.

I suspect you may be using one of the magic exposure modes on the camera ("green box", "P", or any of the "picture" positions on the dial) and the flash is being forced into using ETTL protocol to establish exposure.

You will need to set the shutter at or slower than the "max sync speed" for the camera (read the manual to be sure what the max sync speed is for your camera). The aperture (and/or the output level of the flash units) will have to be set to control the exposure.

This was my problem, I only had it in one maual mode. Thanks so much for all the help guys, it really is appreciated!

23rd of May 2009 (Sat)	#1
ashdavid Osteoglossum bicirrhosum Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Japan Posts: 986 IMAGE EDITING OK	How to get 580ex to sync with studio strobes? As the title says how to get 580ex to sync with studio strobes? The 580ex on the 1Ds MKIII seems to fire early or late , b/c the only light showing in the flash from the 580 on the hotshoe? Any suggestions? __________________ 1Ds MKIII, 5D, 30D, EF 50mm f/1.2L , EF 85mm f/1.2L , EF 24-70mm f/2.8L , EF 80-200mm f2.8L, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS , EF 300mm f/2.8L , EF 400mm f2.8L IS, EF 800mm f5.6L IS EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro , EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro ..... Speedlite 580EX II x 4, Speedlite 430EX x 1, ST-E2 , Remote Switch,

23rd of May 2009 (Sat)	#2
NVcameraman Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Saint Robert, MO Posts: 263 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How to get 580ex to sync with studio strobes? The flash if used in anything other than manual will have a pre flash for the ETTL to operate. This pre flash is setting of your studio strobe if they are on optical slaves. __________________ Ben Morrow www.eagleeyephotography.us 20D\|Rebel XT\|D30\|Sigma 120-300 f2.8\|Sigma 70-210 f2.8\|Sigma 24-70 f2.8\|Sigma 12-24 f4.5-5.6\|Tamron 75-300 f4-5.6\|Canon 50 f1.8\|580EX\|420EX\|Sunpak 544 x2\| Quantum 1+ battery\|DIY battery pack

23rd of May 2009 (Sat)	#3
Mr. Clean Cream of the Crop Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Olympia, Washington Posts: 5,975 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How to get 580ex to sync with studio strobes? Exactly. Set the 580 to manual and your studio slaves to optical. Or just use radio triggers for them all. Boom - done! __________________ Mike some shots @ Zenfolio Gear List

23rd of May 2009 (Sat)	#4
ashdavid Osteoglossum bicirrhosum Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Japan Posts: 986 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How to get 580ex to sync with studio strobes? Thanks guys I will give that a try! __________________ 1Ds MKIII, 5D, 30D, EF 50mm f/1.2L , EF 85mm f/1.2L , EF 24-70mm f/2.8L , EF 80-200mm f2.8L, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS , EF 300mm f/2.8L , EF 400mm f2.8L IS, EF 800mm f5.6L IS EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro , EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro ..... Speedlite 580EX II x 4, Speedlite 430EX x 1, ST-E2 , Remote Switch,

25th of May 2009 (Mon)	#5
ashdavid Osteoglossum bicirrhosum Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Japan Posts: 986 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How to get 580ex to sync with studio strobes? Still not working. I put the 580EX on the hotshoe in maual mode and fired it as the master and had the studio strobes set to react to the flash on the camera and it still seems to be firing unsyncronized Should I use a flash cord attached to the strobes, but even that did not work when I tried. I don't know what I am doing wrong? __________________ 1Ds MKIII, 5D, 30D, EF 50mm f/1.2L , EF 85mm f/1.2L , EF 24-70mm f/2.8L , EF 80-200mm f2.8L, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS , EF 300mm f/2.8L , EF 400mm f2.8L IS, EF 800mm f5.6L IS EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro , EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro ..... Speedlite 580EX II x 4, Speedlite 430EX x 1, ST-E2 , Remote Switch,

25th of May 2009 (Mon)	#6
tim Light Bringer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 47,908 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How to get 580ex to sync with studio strobes? You have the flash in manual mode? What happens when you hit the test button, do they all fire? This is typically very very simple and pretty foolproof. __________________ NZIPP Qualified Professional wedding photographer. Camera and Lens Reviews ~ Wellington Wedding Photographer Wellington Wedding Photographer (site2) ~ Wellington Wedding Photographer (site3) Read all my FAQs (wedding, printing, lighting, books, etc)

25th of May 2009 (Mon)	#9
fivegallon Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 649	Re: How to get 580ex to sync with studio strobes? Well i just tried to do this and had no issues. 5D, 580EX, Elinchrom FX400's. Elinchroms set to optic sensor. Flash works in either Master or Off mode. Camera works in manual, av,tv,p, and even green box mode (auto switches flash from manual to ettl here).All other settings flash was in manual. That aside it fired every time fully synchronised without fail. edit: Also tried it with and without HSS and still fired in both modes at 1/100, 1/160, 1/200 __________________ Gear List Info

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