Canon 580EXII - firing problems

I have 2 Canon 580 EX II flashes that I tried to use off camera last night for a shoot.( i have done this before)
I have several cyber sync triggers and receivers and for some reason I was not able to get the flash to respond to the trigger!
Any suggestions?

(The 2nd flash would fire if i have the first flash mounted to my camera
but using the cyber syncs I couldn't)
Any input would greatly decrease my frustrations!
THANKS!!

What mode do you have the flashes in? They should NOT be in master or slave mode. They should be on manual.
How are you connecting the triggers to the flash?
Are the receivers responding to the transmitter? Is the light lighting?

One or both at a time ? If one I have noticed this as well. I think it may be the PC connection issue on my 580 II. My 580 is OK as I installed a mini jack (from Flash Zebra). If I move the PC connection around it starts to work. That connection just does not feel that tight. I ordered a screwlock PC cable.

http://flashzebra.com/​wizardcables/screwlock​.shtml

The screwlock cable might help some, but honestly the PC connector is a very poor connection. It is always a source of problems.
Do yourself a favor and get one of these adapters.
http://www.flashzebra.​com/products/0126/inde​x.shtml
Just replace the cold shoe on your stand with this and forget connection problems and never have to worry about the flash having a PC port or not.

dedsen wrote in post #12528003
What mode do you have the flashes in? They should NOT be in master or slave mode. They should be on manual.
How are you connecting the triggers to the flash?
Are the receivers responding to the transmitter? Is the light lighting?

I think you can leave them both on master. I do this al the time. I see a master and a slave setting but no other option. You do have to have the flashes on manual.

I have tried one and i have tried both.
Dale, I had a friend suggest the zebra cables too, i have just not invested yet.
I have them both set in manual mode.
The trigger was connected to my camera, the receiver to the flash.
My triggers and receivers respond perfect when i have them attached directly to my strobes.
I am assuming it's the cables that attach to the camera.
My connection on my flashes is tight.

dedsen wrote in post #12528026
The screwlock cable might help some, but honestly the PC connector is a very poor connection. It is always a source of problems.
Do yourself a favor and get one of these adapters.
http://www.flashzebra.​com/products/0126/inde​x.shtml
Just replace the cold shoe on your stand with this and forget connection problems and never have to worry about the flash having a PC port or not.

So it wasn't just me. Hmm. I'll wait and see how it works. Now I'm wondering if I should have gone the Yongnuo way. The cybers are reliable save for that PC connection. Thanks for the tip.

dedsen wrote in post #12528026
The screwlock cable might help some, but honestly the PC connector is a very poor connection. It is always a source of problems.
Do yourself a favor and get one of these adapters.
http://www.flashzebra.​com/products/0126/inde​x.shtml
Just replace the cold shoe on your stand with this and forget connection problems and never have to worry about the flash having a PC port or not.

I just checked out that adapter. I think that may be an investment today!
THANKS!

digital paradise wrote in post #12528043
I think you can leave them both on master. I do this al the time. I see a master and a slave setting but no other option. You do have to have the flashes on manual.

My mistake. My 580 II was off. Sorry about that.

I recently also invested in eneloop batteries.
Do you take your batteries out of your flashes between shoots?
Does that make a difference in battery life?
Just wondering.

I take mine out strictly to avoid a leak that could damage my flash. I can't tell you about the life as I have no data an I have not tested but I doubt it effects it very much.

Never thought of the leakage!
I was thinking shelf life of the batteries. I am sure that the eneloops are probably better than your average alkaline battery for not leaking.
BUT I think I will continue to remove just to be safe!

Never happened to one of my flashes but I have had it happen to other things. I am a member at Digital Image Cafe. One person had to send their flash to Canon because it leaked and was badly corroded. I can't remember if they saved it. Just the other day I threw out a Duracell from our kitchen junk drawer that was covered in corrosion.

Also it all depends on how much you use them. If everyday then you are looking at them regularly. If monthly that is a different story. Then again I don't know a lot about rechargeable batteries and if they leak or not. There are so many types out there.

dedsen wrote in post #12528026
The screwlock cable might help some, but honestly the PC connector is a very poor connection. It is always a source of problems.
Do yourself a favor and get one of these adapters.
http://www.flashzebra.​com/products/0126/inde​x.shtml
Just replace the cold shoe on your stand with this and forget connection problems and never have to worry about the flash having a PC port or not.

I just ended my frustrations! I ordered 2 of the hotshoe adapters!
1 to use and a back up ~
THANKS for the tip!
Denise~

Well that just sucks I purchased this for my original 580 because I did not want extra parts to lose.

http://flashzebra.com/​canon580ex_footassembl​y.shtml

I must say I was not aware of that adaptor however I still would would have purchased the above item. I'll contact team Zebra. I can't be that tough to install mini jack in the 580 II but I'm not sure I want to alter the flash that way. We'll see how the screwlock works first.