580 ex ii - YN 565 ex - triggerless firing

The YN565 ex has these optical slave modes S1 and S2 (pre-flash cancelled mode) that enable it to work with my point and shoot camera. Pretty neat.

From what I've been able to figure out with the 580 ex ii this isn't possible without purchasing additional equipment, ie optical sensor. This seems sort of backwards to me as one cost a significant amount more than the other. Hoping someone out there can "learn me" how to set the 580 ex ii up to do this if it is even possible.

I'm not sure whether it can do that however I can point out that while the 565 ex cost less it also doesn't have high speed sync, the abilitry to master high speed sync to other speedlites or the same sealing that the 580 ex II has. Now whether or not that's worth the extra money or not is a different story but that has nothing to do with what you're asking.

according to this thread it's not supported:
https://photography-on-the.net …ex+II+optical+t​riggers%3F

It even has a optical trigger listed from flash zebra as well.

The 580EX II does not, in fact, have an optical slave built in. Wireless firing is done only via the Canon ETTL wireless master/slave system.

The 580EX II has several advantages over the off-brand flash, but the optical slave on the YN565 sure is nice.