40D Unable to 2nd curtain synch

Hi Guys,

Last night, I was attempting a shoot which would require a rear (or 2nd) curtain synch with my 580EX flash, and I cannot set it on the camera. I go through the menus to the flash control, and the 2nd curtain option is greyed out. The two options I'm able to change are the flash compensation and the option to reset the flash settings.

I'm sure this is user error somehow..... Does anyone know how I can resolve this?

Many Thanks
-Andrew

I just tried it on all modes on the mode select switch (P, Tv, Av, M, etc - all of them) and I can select 2nd curtain synch - so I don't know what is causing it on your camera.

Hi John,

Thanks for the quick response. I'll go through my motions - maybe that'll help?

Turn on flash (ETTL, pointed straight up)
Turn on 40D (M, 1sec, f/4, ISO800)
Menu, flash control, External flash func. setting

The 3 greyed items are "Flash mode", "Shutter sync.", & "FEB"

-Andrew

Should be set on the flash itself, not via the camera menus IIRC

Hmmm - mine doesn't work - sorry - I was looking at the wrong menu before.

Page 103 in the manual tells me that this will only work for some of the EX Speedlites (like the 580EX II)

Bugger

I just picked up the 580EX manual, and I can get it to rear-synch now. Only thing is, it fires at the start and end of the exposure. Is there any way to get just the one flash at the end?
(This is why I thought the in-camera curtain synch would be good - it would only fire the flash once).

-Andrew

forno wrote in post #4108413
Should be set on the flash itself, not via the camera menus IIRC

For other cameras, you might be right.

The 40D allows it - for some flashes.

TheAlfheim wrote in post #4108460
I just picked up the 580EX manual, and I can get it to rear-synch now. Only thing is, it fires at the start and end of the exposure. Is there any way to get just the one flash at the end?
(This is why I thought the in-camera curtain synch would be good - it would only fire the flash once).

-Andrew

Firing at the beginning of the exposure in 2nd curtain synch mode is just a Pre-flash, used for metering.
The main flash comes at the end.

How else could camera measure and set proper exposure parameters if it was only one firing?

What he said. You camera always fires the flash twice, but it's really hard to see until you use second curtain. First flash is to meter and does not affect the exposure.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the info - much appreciated!

Cheers,
Andrew

Hmmm, im at work now but im 99% sure i have second curtain sync working with my old 420EX on my 40D. set in camera. Whether it actually does it i cant be sure but certainly i can select it.

TheAlfheim wrote in post #4108351
Hi John,

Thanks for the quick response. I'll go through my motions - maybe that'll help?

Turn on flash (ETTL, pointed straight up)
Turn on 40D (M, 1sec, f/4, ISO800)
Menu, flash control, External flash func. setting

The 3 greyed items are "Flash mode", "Shutter sync.", & "FEB"

-Andrew

The problem is you have to turn the 40D on first. Ive tried it both ways with my 420EX and only by turning the Camera on first can i select 2nd curtain flash.

dave_bass5 wrote in post #4110326
Hmmm, im at work now but im 99% sure i have second curtain sync working with my old 420EX on my 40D. set in camera. Whether it actually does it i cant be sure but certainly i can select it.

hope thats true. i have a 430ex and haven't played around with it on the 40d yet.

2005GLI wrote in post #4115701
hope thats true. i have a 430ex and haven't played around with it on the 40d yet.

Im not sure if its the same for the 430EX but this is what i get.

wooooops, my mistake. I mean 420EX. I have same one as you have in the pic.