580EX Focus Assist

Hello all,



Since this is my first post, I'd like to say that I'm glad I found such an informative forum. The experience and insight shared among you all is quite a valuable resource. I look forward to contributing more when my schedule allows me some free time. (ha, free time...a girl can dream can't she? )



Today however, my first post is a question.

I have a 20D and a 580EX. I mostly shoot low light without flash or in studio with a Novatron Kit, but this past weekend I finally had the opportunity to use the 580 for an entire night. The problem I came across is that the focus assist beam does not emit in any manual modes. It will only emit an assist beam in full auto mode...which doesn't suit my needs for this type of photography. I've gone through my CF's on both the camera and the flash and can't find any obvious changes that would make the focus assist not function in manual modes.
Has anyone experienced a similar problem or is there a custom function I might be over looking?


Thanks in advance for any input,
Lisa

Welcome to the site Lisa

CF5 is the only one that looks at all relevant. I have it set to "emits" and the focus assist beam works in all modes. This is with a 20D and a 550EX. Maybe check CF5 and if it's set right hopefully someone else has an idea.

Your autofocus mode must be in One Shot. If it is in AI Servo or AI focus the focus beam will not emit. I went through the same problem myself.

Thanks for the welcome Tim...and your reply.
I double checked the CF5 and it is set to "Emits". For the hell of it, I also tried the other options CF5 and none work in manual.
I'm at a loss as to why the assist isn't working in manual modes.

Oh Lou....you saved me an entire week of frustration!!
HOW could I have missed that??!! It was staring me in the face the whole time.

Thank you soooo much. Poof - problem solved!

I am glad I could be of service to you. I can completely understand the frustration!