Is there a "Manual-Master" mode mod for the 580EX version 1?

Manual Master Mode Mod. Try saying that fast repeatedly.

Anyway, this is my first post, and though I'm sure this has been discussed to death, the first thing I did was try a search and I could NOT find it. Is there an existing manual master mode mod for the Canon 580EX1?

I doubt I would attempt this myself (though I had no trouble doing the 1/8 mini plug mod I found here last week), but I AM curious. I'd hate to think I went to all the trouble of adding a mini plug to my 580EX, only to NOT be able to use it with my pocket wizards in Manual-Master Mode.....

As long as the mini-plug is wired correctly, it should work in master-manual mode (though you'll need to set your shutter speed at 1/125 or slower).

Have you tried it? Are you having issues?

Just tried it and it works! Thanks. This place is literally a WEALTH of information. Having asked that, is there a reason it only works below 1/125th of a second? This will limit me to late afternoon shooting, or shooting at insane aperatures, restricting my DOF control....right?

I know its only a stop difference, but that isn't insignificant.....

Keep in mind you're using the flash in a way that it wasn't designed for. It requires a slower shutter speed to allow time for both the command flash and the "real" flash to happen before the shutter closes.

If you're planning to use this setup outside, you'll be better off with radio triggers or separate PC cords connected to a splitter.

Curtis N wrote in post #5675339
Keep in mind you're using the flash in a way that it wasn't designed for. It requires a slower shutter speed to allow time for both the command flash and the "real" flash to happen before the shutter closes.

If you're planning to use this setup outside, you'll be better off with radio triggers or separate PC cords connected to a splitter.

As opposed to Pocketwizards? Why? And what kind of radio triggers?

Edit: Wait....that onl y partially makes sense. Is the delay caused by the PW's communicating with one another? Cause this isn't an issue when I do the same think optically.....

Radio triggers, such as PocketWizards, Elinchrom Skyports or one of the many other brands available.

The delay has nothing to do with PWs per se. It is related to the fact that the master isn't triggered until the shutter is open. If you mount the master on the hotshoe (with all six electrical contacts), the camera can tell the master to fire the command flash earlier.

The Krakken wrote in post #5675461
As opposed to Pocketwizards? Why? And what kind of radio triggers?

Edit: Wait....that onl y partially makes sense. Is the delay caused by the PW's communicating with one another? Cause this isn't an issue when I do the same think optically.....

Curtis was talking about the slave flash that you were planning to trigger with the 580EX in master mode. If the slower max sync speed is going to be a problem, you'll be better off triggering all flashes with an RF remote instead of using the 580EX as a master to trigger the slave.

PacAce wrote in post #5675574
Curtis was talking about the slave flash that you were planning to trigger with the 580EX in master mode. If the slower max sync speed is going to be a problem, you'll be better off triggering all flashes with an RF remote instead of using the 580EX as a master to trigger the slave.

Okay, I was beginning to think I'd lost it.

I intend to purchase another set of PW's for a total of four, and POSSIBLY a 580EX version II (does it have the same sync speed limitation?)

That will give me three lights. Otherwise, I may have to look elsewhere for a master light.

As for other RF remotes, are there any suggestions that rise to the same level of quality as PW's??

The Krakken wrote in post #5677739
POSSIBLY a 580EX version II (does it have the same sync speed limitation?)

It does, if you're using it in master-manual mode off-camera. But if you have a separate PW for each flash then you won't need to do that and you'll be able to use the camera's normal X-sync speed.

There are no units that I know of that have the PocketWizards' combination of range and speed (very short lag time). The Elinchrom Skyport Universal set is a popular alternative for about half the price, and they meet the needs of a lot of people.