600 EX-RT triggering a 580 EX (mk I)

Brainstorming an idea to be able to trigger a group of flashes combining the 600 EX-RT as master with the old 580 EX with the 600's in Radio mode. I'm thinking that if the 580 is fitted with an optical trigger such as a Flash Zebra unit specifically designed for the Canon EX Speedlights that the flash (not per-flash) of any of the 600's would then trigger the 580 unit. Yes I would expect that the 580 would only be adjustable for power levels and such manually.. Just hoping I can continue to integrate my 580 with the new family of 600's for the time being.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

--Geoff

Should work provided, as you stated, no pre-flash is involved.

I expect that would work.

Put the radio trigger on the camera, the 600s in manual mode so there is no preflash like there would be with ETTL metering. The slaves should all fire just the once, and that flash should trigger a 580 with a slave mounted to it, provided line of sight works and all that.

That will work. I'm doing that now with my 600's in radio mode and an old 430 used for a hair light or effects light using the very FlashZebra module you are thinking about.

mike1812 wrote in post #15793629
That will work. I'm doing that now with my 600's in radio mode and an old 430 used for a hair light or effects light using the very FlashZebra module you are thinking about.

Sweet. Glad to know you tried this. I will be shooting architecture and was hopeful to be able to keep the 580 as an effective tool for accent lighting within the otherwise all radio setup.

Mahalo,

--Geoff

Just completed a successful test using the Flash Zebra optical trigger fitted to my 580 EX (mk I) and triggered by the flash coming off a 600 EX-RT in radio mode. Both direct and indirect (bounced) light will activate the optical trigger. It will probably work more often indirectly in darker ambient light conditions.

Happy to be able to keep the 580 in the pitching rotation!!