Firing Genesis monolight with speedlight

Papa Carlo wrote in post #6812412
Can I ask why ? What the difference to Genesis it makes ? When the EX goes on triggered by ST-E2 the monolights get triggered by EX.
There could be a slight delay but nothinig that would be tangible on 1/125 sec synch.

The problem with using the ST-E2 or any compatible flash as the master in an ETTL wireless configuration is that the master fires a command signal before the shutter is open, much like a preflash. This will then cause an optically triggered slave to go off before the shutter is open so it does not contribute any light to the picture. Because the EX slaves need to see the command flash from the master, when the strobes do go off, they drown out the command signal and hence, the slaves will fail to fire. So, what you end up with is a dark picture. If it isn't dark, then any lighting you have is from ambient lighting.

If, by chance, the strobes do light up the picture, then it may be because of a longer than usual delay time in firing inherent with the strobe. These are the strobes that need lower sync speeds such as 1/125 or 1/60 to sync properly with the camera. Most strobes that react instantaneously and can keep up with max sync speeds up to 1/250 or faster will have problems with EX wireless flashes.

Hmmm, I don't like what I'm reading... I was planning on triggering my Genesis strobes using my 580exII via pocketwizards. I guess I'll find out when they arrive.

jdaly wrote in post #6816138
Hmmm, I don't like what I'm reading... I was planning on triggering my Genesis strobes using my 580exII via pocketwizards. I guess I'll find out when they arrive.

That will work fine.

jdaly wrote in post #6816138
Hmmm, I don't like what I'm reading... I was planning on triggering my Genesis strobes using my 580exII via pocketwizards. I guess I'll find out when they arrive.

Yes, that'll work fine.

PacAce wrote in post #6815330
The problem with using the ST-E2 or any compatible flash as the master in an ETTL wireless configuration is that the master fires a command signal before the shutter is open, much like a preflash. This will then cause an optically triggered slave to go off before the shutter is open so it does not contribute any light to the picture. Because the EX slaves need to see the command flash from the master, when the strobes do go off, they drown out the command signal and hence, the slaves will fail to fire. So, what you end up with is a dark picture. If it isn't dark, then any lighting you have is from ambient lighting.

If, by chance, the strobes do light up the picture, then it may be because of a longer than usual delay time in firing inherent with the strobe. These are the strobes that need lower sync speeds such as 1/125 or 1/60 to sync properly with the camera. Most strobes that react instantaneously and can keep up with max sync speeds up to 1/250 or faster will have problems with EX wireless flashes.

Just set the strobes to skip preflash.

Papa Carlo wrote in post #6816539
Just set the strobes to skip preflash.

Ahh, yes, that'll do it, too. Never knew that the Genesis strobes had that feature. Thanks for the info.

Titus213 wrote in post #6807869
All you need is one trigger and one receiver - Cybersyncs would be $130

After testing the ST-E2 as a trigger for 2 580EX II and 2 Genesis 400 lights. It appears the IR causes problems. Even if I set the Genesis lights to ignore 2 pre-flashes.
It works with the 580EX mounted on the camera, but what I am after is both 580EX in conjunction with the 2 Genesis Lights both (580EX) off camera.
I am also interested in getting the range the Cybersyncs offer. So given this, would my best solution be getting the Cybersyncs with a Trigger and 2 Receivers? Then putting the Receivers on both of the 580EX.
Also should I tape off the IR area on the 580EX? To alleviate any misfires? If I have Receivers plugged into both 580EX could the IR still be a problem?

Thanks for any comments or suggestions. This has been a little confusing.

The ST-E2 is the only one in your setup sending IR signals I believe.

Your solution would work fine with both 580EX II in manual mode. There would be no pre-flash involved in firing them. Another solution you can try is one receiver on a 580EX II and an optical slaveon the other. I understand the 580EX IIs work fine with optical slaves. So you would fire one 580EX II (in manual mode) with a radio receiver and let it trip the other 580EX II and the Genesis lights with their optical triggers.

Ideally I would put a receiver on each light. That would prevent any other flashes from tripping them.

Thanks - Dave
I am ordering the Cybersyncs today and wanted to make sure I was thinking correctly.

junebug wrote in post #6824531
After testing the ST-E2 as a trigger for 2 580EX II and 2 Genesis 400 lights. It appears the IR causes problems. Even if I set the Genesis lights to ignore 2 pre-flashes.
It works with the 580EX mounted on the camera, but what I am after is both 580EX in conjunction with the 2 Genesis Lights both (580EX) off camera.
I am also interested in getting the range the Cybersyncs offer. So given this, would my best solution be getting the Cybersyncs with a Trigger and 2 Receivers? Then putting the Receivers on both of the 580EX.
Also should I tape off the IR area on the 580EX? To alleviate any misfires? If I have Receivers plugged into both 580EX could the IR still be a problem?

Thanks for any comments or suggestions. This has been a little confusing.

Wait. So, are you saying that the Genesis strobes do not work with the ST-E2, contrary to what you and Papa Carlo had claimed earlier?

PacAce wrote in post #6824828
Wait. So, are you saying that the Genesis strobes do not work with the ST-E2, contrary to what you and Papa Carlo had claimed earlier?

Yes and No... it mixed me up also. the ST-E2. fired the lights but they seemed to be out of sync. The settings on the Genesis lights allow for up to 2 pre-flashes. But the IR on the ST-E2, seemed to cause the problems. This set up is new to me. Sorry if I mislead anyone.
I was trying to avoid radio triggers, but in the long run it has to be the best solution for my set up and future needs.
The 580EX works fine as a trigger.

I assumed (dangerous) that the issue was in tripping 2 580EX IIs with the ST-E2. On further thought that should not have been a problem if both were set the same way?