7D and 580EX II

I'm using a Microsync II to fire a couple of studio strobes and I want to fire the 580 wirelessly. The problem seems to be I can't figure a way to get the 580 to fire with the on camera flash closed. Otherwise I think my only other option is to buy the PC cable to get the Microsync off the hot shoe. I anyone knows what I'm doing wrong, I'm all ears.

Thanks for your help.

Steve

Keep it simple with one of these:
http://flashzebra.com/​opticalslaves/0100.sht​ml

Curtis N wrote in post #14223580
Keep it simple with one of these:
http://flashzebra.com/​opticalslaves/0100.sht​ml

I just Googled the Microsync II, which I found to be a RF based triggering system - thus it wouldnt trigger the optical slave.

Does the 7D have the built-in master flash capability? The OP mentioned that the 580 wont fire w/o the pop-up flash being up... I assume this is using the built-in optical triggering the 7D has?? If so, don't really see what the issue is? You should be able to program the pop-up flash not to fire during the exposure, so that it only emits the pre-flash trigger signals to the 580 - this is certainly the case when using a 580 as a master in the hotshot as other speedlites as slaves.

EDIT: Nevermind... I suppose if he is using the microsync to trigger the studio strobes, they could then be used to optically trigger the speedlite. I was looking for a solution to fire the speedlite only. I just downloaded the 7D Instruction Manual, and beginning at p. 119 discusses using the cameras built-in flash as a master for the Canon wireless system.

The idea is that the strobes would fire, and the plug-in optical trigger would then fire the 580EXII (which has a pc-sync port).

Canon cameras have a pin underneath the shiny spring plate in the accessory shoe, which mechanically prevents the built-in flash from opening, even if it is only a piece of plastic inserted.

With the Microsync in the hotshoe the pop up flash can't pop up. I suppose that I wasn't clear with my question. I want to know if the 7D will trigger the 580 with the pop up flash in the down position. I havent figured out if Im just not understanding the camera and flash or its just not possible. So far the only solution I can see is to relocate the Microsync off the hotshoe with the PC cord.

The 7D, itself, cannot trigger the 580 w/o the pop-up flash. However, if you are using the Microsync system to trigger studio strobes, you can attach an optical trigger (as pictured above by Curtis) to the 580. Once this optical sensor 'sees' the strobes fire, it will trigger the 580 to fire as well.

Thanks for the help

The pop-up flash control on the 7D, 60D, and T3i works extremely well, but it does require the pop-up to be in the up position. The reason is that the pop-up sends light signals to the wireless flashes to tell them what light level to produce and when to fire. You can either have the pop-up contribute to the lighting or not based on how you set your camera. As said above, you cannot trigger without the pop-up being up.

HughR wrote in post #14242932
The pop-up flash control on the 7D, 60D, and T3i works extremely well, but it does require the pop-up to be in the up position. The reason is that the pop-up sends light signals to the wireless flashes to tell them what light level to produce and when to fire. You can either have the pop-up contribute to the lighting or not based on how you set your camera. As said above, you cannot trigger without the pop-up being up.

And to add to that, the pop up sends a pre-flash to control the flash via wireless which will mess with any optical triggered devices.

Be Patient as I'm a newbie, but I've just gone through all this with probably the best Canon tech guy in the UK and the Bowens head technical guy.
We are almost there! [or better be as my bowens kit comes on Tuesday

Simply put for budget reasons and my hatred of add on bits I want to fire my 430EXII in wireless mode and fire a Bowens mono light, using the command comms in the 7D and its pop up flash to trigger the strobes optically. Also being greedy I want the pop up flash to add a minute bit of front fill - so I also want ratios working wirelessly with the speedlite.
I want all the setup facilities transmitted wirelessly to the 430 [note for you, Bowens used what they had for the tests, which just happened to be a 580EXII].

1. You have to disable the preflash AF assist light see p.214 manual - No problem. The 7D's popup HAS to be up,
2. Set up Internal Flash to enable, and then as Manual, then set up Wireless, then set up the ratio Speedlight to popup [NB the popup is limited to 1/4 power - reason?? but also tested by Canon UK!] - No problems so far (after the 1st fire, the ETTL on the 430 changes to CFN. And you can change the power level on both the 430 and popup; and also manipulate the ratios from the camera.
3. Bowens tested for me and reported that he got black pictures 1st time, as the 'communication' preflash fired off the Bowens. The ones I've ordered 500R has the facility to switch the Bowens to fire when it receives the 1st , 2nd, 3rd or 4th Flash.
He set it then to the second flash to activate the Bowens and says it then worked beautifully, everytime. Obviously I didn't see it but he is their top techy guy.
My Bowens arrives on Tuesday [missed last shipment waiting for this test]
The head Canon Tech guy says there is some preflash comms just ahead of the main flash, and beleives the Bowens guy is right in that as long as you can set your Studio flash to fire on the 2nd triggering flash then it will work.
OK there is no ETTL going on here but I can control everything from the camera [power levels / ratios etc] but I need the Bowens remote radio device to address the power levels remotely for the Bowens £54.
Hope it helps - realise it's not a 100% match but if your studio lights have the same features as the bowens it may assist you. Or if not get the Speedlite to trigger the studio lights

That certainly seems like a Rube Goldberg approach to lighting.