Optical flash trigger

I have the 580ex II, is there a way to use an optical flash trigger on it? I put a flash on my hot shoe and then the 580ex on a tripod or stand and an optical triggering device under it. Can that be done and not short out the contacts since all the flash contacts will be in contact with a metal hot shoe adapter?

thanks.

the 580 will work on an optical slave in manual mode. Are you connecting it through the pc socket? I dont know what sort of hot shoe adapter you have but there are a couple types. The ones from flashzebra are deep enough that the flash contacts dont do metal on contact point. Another option is to unscrew the hot shoe adapater and use the plastic foot that came with your flash, it has a thread on it.

I lent a 580EXII to a colleague who used it in manual mode with an optical trigger attached to the foot. It sure seemed like it would fire just once by the trigger and then not again until turned off and on. I vaguely remember something funny like this reported on this forum, but since it wasn't my photo shoot, I didn't investigate further.

Ok..I haven't done anything yet, I want to be sure it all works fine and what to get before I give it a try. If I have to use it in manual mode then I may as well use my Vivitar 283, right?

But if I use it in manual mode, I'll have to adjust the power settings on the flash, right?

Shooting wrote in post #8406586
Ok..I haven't done anything yet, I want to be sure it all works fine and what to get before I give it a try. If I have to use it in manual mode then I may as well use my Vivitar 283, right?

But if I use it in manual mode, I'll have to adjust the power settings on the flash, right?

yes, unless you are using some trigger like the radio poppers that retains ettl there is no communication with the camera and its pretty much like using the 283. Except your 580ex is more efficient with batteries and you can zoom the head to change the angle of coverage. I dont know the relative guide numbers, but I'd guess the 580exII is a little more powerful than the 283.

gonzogolf wrote in post #8407155
yes, unless you are using some trigger like the radio poppers that retains ettl there is no communication with the camera and its pretty much like using the 283. Except your 580ex is more efficient with batteries and you can zoom the head to change the angle of coverage. I dont know the relative guide numbers, but I'd guess the 580exII is a little more powerful than the 283.

so that means I'll be shooting test after test while the people are waiting for the real pictures to be taken....don't want to do that..guess I'll save some money to get a radio popper so I can use the ettl feature and take less time testing so they won't have to get tired of waiting.

Shooting wrote in post #8407455
so that means I'll be shooting test after test while the people are waiting for the real pictures to be taken....don't want to do that..guess I'll save some money to get a radio popper so I can use the ettl feature and take less time testing so they won't have to get tired of waiting.

or get a light meter, or get a 24ft ocf cord from flashzebra so your 580 can go off camera for about $55. Also keep in mind that the radio poppers still require a flash on the camera to serve as a master, all they do is change the canon infrared system to a radio system.

40Dude6aedyk wrote in post #8406233
I lent a 580EXII to a colleague who used it in manual mode with an optical trigger attached to the foot. It sure seemed like it would fire just once by the trigger and then not again until turned off and on. I vaguely remember something funny like this reported on this forum, but since it wasn't my photo shoot, I didn't investigate further.

www.flashzebra.com has optical units that are designed to overcome this issue. They work great on the EX units.

A friend gave me this link.
http://cgi.ebay.com/PT​-04-Wireless-Flash-Trigger-Receiver-580EX-SB-800-T1M_W0QQitemZ330332075​598QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ​LH_DefaultDomain_0?has​h=item4ce953764e&_trks​id=p3286.c0.m14

Shooting wrote in post #8410225
A friend gave me this link.
http://cgi.ebay.com/PT​-04-Wireless-Flash-Trigger-Receiver-580EX-SB-800-T1M_W0QQitemZ330332075​598QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ​LH_DefaultDomain_0?has​h=item4ce953764e&_trks​id=p3286.c0.m14

Those provide sync only, no ettl communications. They will allow you to fire the flash remotely, but no automatic exposure control.

gonzogolf wrote in post #8411410
Those provide sync only, no ettl communications. They will allow you to fire the flash remotely, but no automatic exposure control.

so what would I have to get that would also provide exposure control?

there are 4 options to do that. Another canon speedlight and use the built in wireless system, this uses infrared/optical triggering and requires line of sight. You can extend that capacity with radio poppers, or the new pw wizards. The cheapest, ($55) is the 24ft off camera flash cord from flashzebra.com

gonzogolf wrote in post #8414300
there are 4 options to do that. Another canon speedlight and use the built in wireless system, this uses infrared/optical triggering and requires line of sight. You can extend that capacity with radio poppers, or the new pw wizards. The cheapest, ($55) is the 24ft off camera flash cord from flashzebra.com

Ok thanks bunches..I'll go the cord route.

I think you'll be happy with it. Wireless options are nice, but this a lot cheaper way to retain ettl.