580EX (MASTER) wireless problem.

With the 580EX mounted normally and not set up for wireless, all operations okay. Red pilot light shows up and all is good.

Switch to MASTER with A:B ratios ON and channels synched (550EX as SLAVE), but the pilot light on 580EX doesn't light up, however emits AF assist, and high pitch.

When 550EX is MASTER and 580EX : SLAVE, all is good.

Please tell me what I'm doing wrong. Have I missed something REALLY simple?

Contacts cleaned and mounted securely.

Thanks in adv. Sam

If it is of any help, my 580EX lights up pilot light when set as master. Can you even trigger slave with your 580EX? I know it's a long shot, but did you try a new batteries?

Thanks for the reply tiha. With the pilot light not on, I can't trigger the slave or test flash if that's what you mean. The high pitch is there as well as the af assist when I focus. I'll change batteries and see what happens.

OH YOU BIG LOSER - GOOD FOR NOTHING TWIT SAM!!!!

Batteries!

Thanks tiha.:o

Yeah, battery power level dictates almost all functions of these flashes. I think the first line of defense to fix little hickups like this is to first change batteries. I will remember this as well.

CP

I was going to say batteries. Oh well. Beat me to it.

I believe there is a setting that you can set so the main flash will not fire while in master mode. I don't have a flash or manual handy to check but it may be worth looking into.

jra wrote in post #3833099
I believe there is a setting that you can set so the main flash will not fire while in master mode. I don't have a flash or manual handy to check but it may be worth looking into.

Yes, you can basically control all flashes from the master (even the master) to fire or not based on groups and master flash on/off choice. It is available when the flash is switched to master and when the main flash icon is blinking and the words "off" are visible. In normal cases, this will say "on" and is adjusted via the wheel and center button. Check the manual for specifics on this, however, once you fiddle with the controls a bit, you can figure it out.

CP

samnz wrote in post #3832941
OH YOU BIG LOSER - GOOD FOR NOTHING TWIT SAM!!!!

Batteries!

Thanks tiha.:o

I'm glad that it helped! BTW, long whining sound usually indicates that the batteries are low. No sound indicates that they are empty or inserted in a wrong way. At least until 580EX II which is completely quiet

Great stuff guys! I've been using a pair of 550EX's and a 420EX for so long, using the dial on the 580EX is soooooo much easier. I dropped one of the 550s last week - hence the upgrade.

Have a great Saturday everyone.

Sam