EF-500 DG Super | Master-off ETTL wireless

I'm trying to setup my 2 EF-500 DG Super strobes for ETTL wireless. Every other ETTL wireless function works, but I can not get the master to stop firing. The master is in ETTL wireless mode and the flash icon with the strikeout (icon for 'no flash') is showing. Press the shutter and BAM - master fires. I've tried endless amounts of resets, 'reboots' and swapping flash roles - no effect.

This is a little frustrating as I bought this 2nd strobe (and planned on buying more) as a wireless trigger (ST-E2 alternative).

This is on a 20D body.

Any ideas?

Yes, the master is going to fire even if you have it off. What you are seeing are the preflash and the command flash that the camera uses to determine ETTL exposure and send commands to the slave. That's normal. What it's not supposed to do is fire a normal flash when the shutter is open. And you can only determine if it is or not by looking at your shots to see if the master is contributing to the overall lighting of the picture. Is it?

PacAce wrote in post #2015026
And you can only determine if it is or not by looking at your shots to see if the master is contributing to the overall lighting of the picture. Is it?

Didn't even compose a shot. My wife, friend, recently blinded dog and I have just been watching the flashes.

Thanks, I'll verify on a shot.

God, what a relief. Bought $20-$30 in flowers for my one last night of relaxation before our big move.

From my experience, the Sigma will fire a normal flash when the shutter is open even the master flash unit is set to off.

What I am surprised to hear is that the OP said that, and I quoted, "every other ETTL wireless function works." Again, from my experience, the master's preflash will trigger the slave to fire prematurely. Therefore, only the master flash unit will contribute to the final picture.

Although there is a trick to somewhat remedy this situation (ignore page 21 of the manual and turn flash ratio on and try different ratios), I have long given up using Sigma flashes in ETTL mode. I use full manual mode with Sigma and Canon flashes with acceptable results. I use the camera's histogram to monitor exposure.

PacAce that was indeed the issue. I've heard it so many times on these forums and elsewhere I feel like shooting myself in the head for letting that slip by.

Shots are looking great ...

RedBird, my master isn't firing while shutter's open. ETTL is actually working out a lot better than expected too. I doubt I'll use it much as I want a specific effect, but it's working suprisingly well.

Now to get the damn flashes from firing from "mirror up" on remote.

Arg