Your trigger set up

I need help. I'm a regular 2nd shooter for wedding events and this season I started using some off camera lighting for the receptions. I picked up the latest Cactus triggers over the summer and it has been a damn nightmare getting them to work properly with me. I'm using two 5D3's and two 580exii mounted on the trigger on camera. My issue is the flashes constantly get bumped out of ETTL, more times than I can count a night. The trigger is doing something to them. Basically it turns a on a custom function by itself and bumps it out of ETTL. For me to fix this I have to remove the flash from the trigger, turn off the customer function, pull the batteries, turn the trigger and flash off, Mount the flash and turn everything back on. This gets incredibly annoying and inconvenient as it can cause me to miss something at a party.

So basically I think it is time for me to move on from these frustrating triggers. What are you guys using with success? I'm open to many options and all help is appreciated. Thanks!

Im a bit confused, you say 2 580exII mounted on the trigger on the camera. What does that mean exactly?

My on camera flash mounter on a cactus trigger on the camera...its the transceiver for the receivers.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17275030
Im a bit confused, you say 2 580exII mounted on the trigger on the camera. What does that mean exactly?

Cactus v6 triggers have a hot shoe, so you can mount the flash on the trigger on the camera.

yes and the communication between that and the on camera flash is what is causing my problem. Does it at every event, never fails. Happened right at cake cutting last night. Basically it knocks it out of ETTL and when I fire a frame it is so hot, bright, unusable.

mattpugs wrote in post #17275042
My on camera flash mounter on a cactus trigger on the camera...its the transceiver for the receivers.

But you said 2 580exiis mounted on the trigger

I have two cameras, two flashes. Each camera has a trigger and flash mounted on it which trigger my off cameras around the room.

Have you updated firmware? The release notes mention some TTL issues.

http://www.cactus-image.com/cactus_v6_fw​update_notes.pdf

Yes they are all up to date on the firmware which is why I am just going to look for something else than deal with these headaches for another season.

So, contact Cactus. Clearly they are working on issues on a regular basis.

A couple years ago I needed another 580 EX II. When I was ready to purchase another one, the 600 EX- RT system was on the market. Bought the 600 and the ST-E3 transmitter. Having the capability of Radio Wireless ETTL and other features was opening new doors. Trying to incorporate the 580 into the workflow of the 600, I was frustrated. Traded in the old 580 EX II and the 430 EX towards another 600 EX-RT. Have been working with this portable reliable system.
Sure it is another investment, but the reliability and stability are key.
By the way, the 600 EX-RT multiply faster than rabbits.

tandemhearts wrote in post #17275064
So, contact Cactus. Clearly they are working on issues on a regular basis.

Which is the point of my thread...I am looking for another set up and these will be sold. I have been in contact with Cactus since July and it has got me no where so I am looking for other options.

mattpugs wrote in post #17275088
Which is the point of my thread...I am looking for another set up and these will be sold. I have been in contact with Cactus since July and it has got me no where so I am looking for other options.

Interesting, I use the 580ex and have not had that issue at all..

Maybe I just got a bad set of triggers. Drives me crazy!

The re is a history of 580exII's going from Ettl to ttl mode if the hotshoe contact isnt perfect. The problem was more noticable for users of ETTL cords and even higher amongst users of third party cords. given that you have a heavy flash (with modifier?) Sitting on top of a trigger means you have even more weight and twice as many failure points. It gets a lot worse if you are turning the whole works on its side for vertical shots and all that weight torques the shoe connections.