Wireless Transmitter for Canon 580

Alien Bees Cybersync wireless - works, cheap, comes with cables for ABs and a 580EXII. You'd need to add a cable for the 580EX.

^ i'm with him on the cybersync idea...like I said before its what i'm currently using.

I've never heard of the infared system setting off optical slave. I know a few nikon guys doing something simlar but had never heard them mention issues...

canon shooter wrote in post #6217429
Tim, so the set up you are talking about here is a Skyport on camera with receiver on studio, and then the 580 in Slave??

Assume with this set up you use a flash meter??

Just make sure that all the strobes are being triggered via the Skyport and none are triggered optically.

Titus213 wrote in post #6217554
Alien Bees Cybersync wireless - works, cheap, comes with cables for ABs and a 580EXII. You'd need to add a cable for the 580EX.

Well everyone has good things to say about the Cybersync. If I were to go this route, and use it to trigger the 580EX, in Master and let it trigger the studio. I would need a CST transmitter and then would I get a CSR receiver or would it be better for a CSRB receiver? Plus you say I would need a cable for the 580EX, What type of cable would I need and guess the 580EX and 580EXII cable set up must be different??? Assume the cable that comes with it that works in ABs would also fit my White Lightening WL5000?

And does the transmitter (that fits in camera hotshoe) need to be ordered for camera or is it universal?

Bottom up:

The transmitter is universal hotshoe mounted, no cable ability native.
I went with the battery units to get away from the need for AC. I had the original RFT1s from AB and took advantage of a $40 credit each toward the upgrade to the Cybersyncs.
Not sure about the White Lightening plug but suspect they are the same.
The 580EX II has a PC port on it though using it, so I've read, creates other strange behavior. The 580EX just needs a hotshoe with PC capability since it doesn't have a PC port. I use a 550EX and a 430EX and use these to attach my Cybersyncs: http://www.flashzebra.​com/hotshoes-shoes/0065.shtml The Cybersyncs came with the cable to attach to this hotshoe.

Titus213 wrote in post #6219891
Bottom up:

The transmitter is universal hotshoe mounted, no cable ability native.
I went with the battery units to get away from the need for AC. I had the original RFT1s from AB and took advantage of a $40 credit each toward the upgrade to the Cybersyncs.
Not sure about the White Lightening plug but suspect they are the same.
The 580EX II has a PC port on it though using it, so I've read, creates other strange behavior. The 580EX just needs a hotshoe with PC capability since it doesn't have a PC port. I use a 550EX and a 430EX and use these to attach my Cybersyncs: http://www.flashzebra.​com/hotshoes-shoes/0065.shtml The Cybersyncs came with the cable to attach to this hotshoe.

Dave, thanks for your input. I bought the Cybersyncs, should be here in a few days.

Thanks

Please help me understand.

I've used my ST-E2 to trigger both 580EX and 430EX units in manual mode. I guess I kinda assumed they would only produce one flash when in manual. I've used a 430EX in manual in the camera's hotshoe to successfully trigger optical slaves in the past.

It sounds like the manual setting on the speedlights when used in conjunction with an ST-E2 can produce a pre-flash? Is it caused by the IR signal from the ST-E2?

Thanks,
Kevin

There can be two visible emissions using the ST-E2. One is the autofocus assist light through one of the red lenses, if the camera decides it is needed, and this is what you may be seeing.

The other is the low-powered exposure evaluation preflash from the flash head. It is followed by the main flash so fast, that it is rarely distinguishable. As you are taking over the flash exposure, the preflash is not required.

Titus213 wrote in post #6219891
Bottom up:

The transmitter is universal hotshoe mounted, no cable ability native.
I went with the battery units to get away from the need for AC. I had the original RFT1s from AB and took advantage of a $40 credit each toward the upgrade to the Cybersyncs.
Not sure about the White Lightening plug but suspect they are the same.
The 580EX II has a PC port on it though using it, so I've read, creates other strange behavior. The 580EX just needs a hotshoe with PC capability since it doesn't have a PC port. I use a 550EX and a 430EX and use these to attach my Cybersyncs: http://www.flashzebra.​com/hotshoes-shoes/0065.shtml The Cybersyncs came with the cable to attach to this hotshoe.

Just got my CyberSyncs and have not had much time to play with set up yet but, it appears you can not use with just the 580EX in ETTL mode. It is way overexposured when I try it this way. And the instructions say it will NOT work in TTL mode. I thought when I read all of these posts prior that if I used the CyberSyncs with just the 580EX I would be able to use ETTL, but if used with 580EX as Master and WL5000 as Slave I would be in manual.

Did I miss something??

Also found my old flash meter, that I have not used for 20 years. It is a Minolta IIIF. Assume this meter should work fine with 40D and flash set up of 580EX and WL5000. The seting on meter is for ASA (flim speed) but assume that is going to be the exact same as ISO. EX and ASA setting on meter of 100 would equal a ISO setting on 40D of 100??

Any problems with using this on digital camera set up.

canon shooter wrote in post #6246558
Dave, thanks for your input. I bought the Cybersyncs, should be here in a few days.

Thanks

How much did they run you?

canon shooter wrote in post #6290704
Just got my CyberSyncs and have not had much time to play with set up yet but, it appears you can not use with just the 580EX in ETTL mode. It is way overexposured when I try it this way. And the instructions say it will NOT work in TTL mode. I thought when I read all of these posts prior that if I used the CyberSyncs with just the 580EX I would be able to use ETTL, but if used with 580EX as Master and WL5000 as Slave I would be in manual.

Did I miss something??

Evidently you did. Any radio transmitter with the exception of the Radio Poppers use the flash in manual mode. The radio trigger transmits only a fire command.

da_teacher wrote in post #6291000
How much did they run you?

They are only available at www.alienbees.com. $60 for a transmitter, $70 for the receiver.

Titus213 wrote in post #6291019
Evidently you did. Any radio transmitter with the exception of the Radio Poppers use the flash in manual mode. The radio trigger transmits only a fire command.


They are only available at www.alienbees.com. $60 for a transmitter, $70 for the receiver.

Dave, thanks and as you can tell I using this set up for the 1st time. When you use the 580EX this way in manual mode, and get reading with flash meter do you make any other + or - adjustment on 580EX

Titus213 wrote in post #6291019
They are only available at www.alienbees.com. $60 for a transmitter, $70 for the receiver.

Dang, so $200 for two receivers and a transmitter? Can't afford that...just bought a 580EXII, two Sunpaks, some stands, etc....was going to use my cousin's Cactus triggers for the time being but they seemed to have died!!!

canon shooter wrote in post #6292912
Dave, thanks and as you can tell I using this set up for the 1st time. When you use the 580EX this way in manual mode, and get reading with flash meter do you make any other + or - adjustment on 580EX

Yes, I adjust my 550EX and 430EX with the power adjustment capability of their manual mode. The same would hold true with your 580EX. In manual mode your distance will also 'adjust' the light.