580EX I vs II mounted on FlexTT5

I've had the old 580EX for years. Just picked up a 580EX II to try. Mounted it on the camera hotshoe and fired off a bunch of shots, and it worked fine. Then I was trying something else out yesterday. I had my camera in my Newton CR bracket with the Canon OC-E3 cord. On the cord hotshoe, I had my FlexTT5 mounted and my old 580EX on the FlexTT5's hotshoe. I'm able to fire just my 580EX or fire it in combination with a couple of strobes, triggered by the FlexTT5. Then I decide to swap the old 580EX for the 580EX II. It doesn't fire. I removed it and installed it again - nothing. I put the old 580EX back on there, and it works fine. I put the 580EX II directly on the camera hotshoe with nothing in between, and it works fine. Is there some connection problem between the 580EX II and the FlexTT5 hotshoe that I haven't heard about (I wouldn't have been paying attention since it wouldn't have been an issue for me until now)?

Should fire fine - check to make sure it's mounted properly (most likely reason)

I read somewhere about 580EX II failures (serious failure) when triggered by TTL5. Although this may not be the case here, do you know whether this problem has been corrected? Sorry if this piggybacks on this thread improperly and if you can steer me in the correct direction, I'd be grateful.
Cheers,
John

There have been probably hundreds of posts in countless threads about the RF interference problems when mounting a 580EXII on a FlexTT5.
Pocket Wizard has developed two solutions, one is a soft shield and the other is a hard shield.

There is also a fix offered by two repair facilities that go in and rework the electronics to reduce the RFI.

Additionally, if the Flex is too close to the mini or flex on the camera there is a potential for problems.

Take your choice for probably cause and possible solution.

I don't think there are any reported RF issues when the flash is mounted on a TT5 mounted on camera!
RF wouldn't be triggering this particular flash, so it wouldn't be RF issue

Well, this is slightly different in that I have the FlexTT5 mounted on the oc-e3 shoe and the 580EX II mounted on the FlexTT5. However, I swapped on 580EX with new 580EX II a couple of times, and the old 580EX worked just fine each time, and the 580EX II wouldn't fire. Then, for my own sanity, I'd mount the 580EX II directly on the camera hotshoe, and it would work fine. It's possible I'm not getting the 580EX II seated correctly on the FlexTT5 for some reason. That's what I suspected too. I just wanted to double-check if there was some issue here that I'm unaware of.

SMP_Homer wrote in post #13132178
I don't think there are any reported RF issues when the flash is mounted on a TT5 mounted on camera!
RF wouldn't be triggering this particular flash, so it wouldn't be RF issue

^^This.

It's most likely a connection problem. You've got a 580exII flash mounted on the Flex, mounted on a OC-E3 cord. Make sure the hotshoes and feet are all tight. Also, check if it seems to be leaning a certain way. You can try gently nudging it in the opposite direction. My guess is with all that extra weight, it might be leaning forward pulling the contacts away slightly.

That's exactly right. I played around with it quite a bit last night and got it to work. I've always been able to just slap on the old 580EX and have it work no problem. But the 580EX II is more sensitive to getting the connection just right. Once I did, it worked like a champ. Thanks for the help!

I've had the same issues and found out that tightening it a little more seemed to help. Also, keep an eye on your 580EX II on the TT5, as I have the I and II and they have both been used on TT5s, but my 580EX II started smoking while I had it mounted on a TT5 and it has a black burn spot in the middle of the flash head. I have tried using it without the TT5 and for the most part I have not seen any problems with it firing so far, but each time I fire a few shots the 580EX II starts to give out an odor.

That would certainly make a good impression if the flash bursts into flames during the wedding I'm shooting on Sunday! Thanks for the heads-up.

zerovision wrote in post #13139373
I've had the same issues and found out that tightening it a little more seemed to help. Also, keep an eye on your 580EX II on the TT5, as I have the I and II and they have both been used on TT5s, but my 580EX II started smoking while I had it mounted on a TT5 and it has a black burn spot in the middle of the flash head. I have tried using it without the TT5 and for the most part I have not seen any problems with it firing so far, but each time I fire a few shots the 580EX II starts to give out an odor.

Sounds like the arcing problem in the PW report. If it's still under warranty, send it in to be repaired.

zerovision wrote in post #13139373
I've had the same issues and found out that tightening it a little more seemed to help. Also, keep an eye on your 580EX II on the TT5, as I have the I and II and they have both been used on TT5s, but my 580EX II started smoking while I had it mounted on a TT5 and it has a black burn spot in the middle of the flash head. I have tried using it without the TT5 and for the most part I have not seen any problems with it firing so far, but each time I fire a few shots the 580EX II starts to give out an odor.

Was the smoking happening in non HSS mode?

windpig wrote in post #13175393
Was the smoking happening in non HSS mode?

That is correct. It was not in HSS mode.

zerovision wrote in post #13175650
That is correct. It was not in HSS mode.

I'm sorry to hear that.

I've got both 430EXIIs and a 580EXII, along with a couple of Elinchrom Ranger RX AS speeds. The PW FlexTT system looks really intriguing, as I can also use them to adjust and fire my Rangers.

I'm using the Radio Poppers JrX Studios for my speed lights and they work well. Skyports with the Rangers. Consolidating a trigger system with power adjustment using the AC3 would be most excellent.

Ralph

I still use the PWs and I have the AC3 and it works very well with the 580EX I and both of my 430EX IIs, so I wouldn't disregard the PWs. The only issue I have had is the FlexTT5 with the 580EX II on it.

Ever since this happened I have still been able to use the 580 I and 430s with much success and with the AC3. I like the set up very well, but I don't like what has happened to my most expensive flash.

I thought that Radio Poppers had something similar to the AC3.