Turning off AF assist beam

Hello there, I've read as much as possible of the manuals but still cannot locate anything that may work.

When using the ST-E2 with a remote 580EX, is there a setting that can turn off the AF assist beam or do you just put some black tape over the lens??

Using with a 350D is this is of any assistance.

Cheers

Mark

Have you checked the custom functions of the 350D? (I don't own a XT)

Yes, as far as I can tell from any of the manuals (camera, flash, ST-E2) there is nothing that I can find (could be looking with man eyes I suppose).

The AF beam from the flash fired remotly is very annoying, black tape may be the answer??

If there's no custom function on the 350D to turn it off, you could switch to AI Servo AF mode.

Isn't there a C'fn in the 580 to turn it off?


If you cover it with tape you might also block the reciever for the wireless signal

On a 350D it's custom function 05. 0 = Emits 1 = Does not emit 2 = Only emits ext flash. don't know whether this works with ST-E2 but works with 430EX.

b1gdaddy wrote in post #2796834
On a 350D it's custom function 05. 0 = Emits 1 = Does not emit 2 = Only emits ext flash. don't know whether this works with ST-E2 but works with 430EX.

No this is not quite what I'm after, I want to stop the AF assit beam on the external flash. When using the ST-E2 the main body of the external flash is generally turned around to face the general area of the camera with the flash head pointing where you want it to be directed, having the thing fireing off a red beam every second is quite annoying!!!.

Moppie, I need to check where the reciever is, I'm at work at present so can't check but from memory, the reciever is below to AF lens???.

A work in progress at present. Need to contribute something towards Warrens situation.

Mark Vuleta wrote in post #2797157
having the thing fireing off a red beam every second is quite annoying!

It flashes to indicate that it's powered up and ready. I don't think there's a way to turn that off when in slave mode, but you could probably point it another direction and it would still work. Try with it facing 90 degrees from the camera, away from the subject, and see if it works.

Thanks for your responces guys. No way to turn it off!! black tape the answer, turning it arround no good unless in a small room, needs to be in line of site.

Cheers

Mark

Are you sure it is not in the custom functions portion of the flash unit? On my 430EX it is function #4.

otherwise, good luck. Black tape it is!

Now I see the OP is talking about the flashing red beams of the slave unit.

cskn0125 wrote in post #2800528
Are you sure it is not in the custom functions portion of the flash unit?

Unfortunatly not when used as a slave with the ST-E2

Cheers


Mark

I wonder if what you are seeing is the comunication between the ST-E2 and the 580?
Is it pulsing light, or is it flashing the grid pattern when you focus?

I think the OP is talking about the pulsing red beam from the 580 (once per second) when it's switched to slave mode. The purpose of that is to help with aiming the slave unit when the flash head is pointing straight. To me, it's useless and can not be turned off.

The slave sensor is under the smaller black color lens and above the Canon Logo.