580EXII on a 450D xsi

Hello All,

Sorry for this Noob question I seem to really be struggling with this. I have been reading the forum and still can't grasp this.

I have 450d xsi with no pc port. I want to use the 580EXII off camera. Since I have no PC port how do I accomplish this?

Thanks and once again sorry for the question I am sure its been covered here I am just not getting it.

Thanks!

diegodog wrote in post #6118160
Hello All,

Sorry for this Noob question I seem to really be struggling with this. I have been reading the forum and still can't grasp this.

I have 450d xsi with no pc port. I want to use the 580EXII off camera. Since I have no PC port how do I accomplish this?

Thanks and once again sorry for the question I am sure its been covered here I am just not getting it.

Thanks!

With something like these called a hotshoe-to-PC adapter:

http://flashzebra.com/​hotshoes-shoes/0063.shtml

or

http://flashzebra.com/​hotshoes-shoes/0064.shtml

The advantage of the first one is that it has a Screwlock PC terminal for a more secure connection of the PC cord.

The advantage of the 2nd one is that you can mount a flash (operated in manual mode) or a remote triggering device on its hotshoe while still having another device connect to it via the PC terminal.

Your other (more expensive, yet way more flexible options) are wireless radio or wireless infrared transmitters/receivers​. For a single flash you can get in the game (with some decent gear) for about $150.

Thanks so much for this information guys. Its all starting to come together (I think).

I am seriously concidering the 580 EXII + the skyport to hook up to the xsi (I also have a 40D which I assume will have fewer issues than the xsi). Do you guys recommend this (I know from reading the forum here that you guys are very knowledgable members so your opinion would be greatly appreciated). I also am seeing I need a cable for the skyport which I am still trying to research and figuer out what I need.

Any other options I need to look at before pulling the trigger?

Thanks again

I'm not sure, but don't wireless triggers ( like skyports ) usually come with a pc sync cable for the reciever to flashes ?

GetOnMyLevel thanks for the response.

The only reason I said that was because of everyone complaining on the reviews about not getting the correct cable on the B&H site. So no first hand knowledge here just going by that.

Thanks!

For off camera use get this: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …C_E3_Off_Camera​_Shoe.html

You put one end into the hot shoe, mount the camera in the other. Place the camera mounted end onto camera bracket.

Hey Naturalist,

Thanks for the response back.

That thing is tight. Only issue with that one is you can only have the flash 2 ft away from the camera (so i think).

GetOnMyLevel wrote in post #6119700
I'm not sure, but don't wireless triggers ( like skyports ) usually come with a pc sync cable for the reciever to flashes ?

Most radio slave sets come with a male PC to TRANSMITTER cord. Specifically to use on the many cameras that do not have a hotshoe.

On some sets this cord can sometimes serendipitously be used for flash use (on the receiver).

The Skyport follows this tradition, but since the sync port on the Skyport transmitter and receiver is different, this inhibits the serendipitous use of the Skyport PC cord for flash (on the receiver).

Enjoy! Lon

diegodog wrote in post #6118160
I want to use the 580EXII off camera. Since I have no PC port how do I accomplish this?

When you use a PC cord or Radio Trigger to fire a flash, it looses all communication with the camera. It is like pressing the test button to fire the flash. All that fancy ETTL with dedicated ISO, aperture, shutter speed stuff is all gone.

Is that what you really want?

diegodog wrote in post #6120020
Only issue with that one is you can only have the flash 2 ft away from the camera (so i think).

With a OC-E3, you maintain all ETTL functions. It is relatively easy to extend the cord as long as you like. https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=123662

If you don't like doing it yourself, you can buy an extended cord here:
............http://www.paramountco​rds.com/products.asp?c​at=93

OR ...... http://michaelbass.blo​gspot.com …accessories.htm​l#StartOCC

msowsun wrote in post #6120160
When you use a PC cord or Radio Trigger to fire a flash, it looses all communication with the camera. It is like pressing the test button to fire the flash. All that fancy ETTL with dedicated ISO, aperture, shutter speed stuff is all gone.

Is that what you really want?


With a OC-E3, you maintain all ETTL functions. It is relatively easy to extend the cord as long as you like. https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=123662

If you don't like doing it yourself, you can buy an extended cord here:
............http://www.paramountco​rds.com/products.asp?c​at=93

OR ...... http://michaelbass.blo​gspot.com …accessories.htm​l#StartOCC

Very good point. If your just doing snapshots and candid type stuff I would think an IR system (or corded) would be the way to go. If you want to do studio (coordinated) type stuff then you would probably be better off with wireless.