580EX II Wireless Flash Question

I'm thinking of buying a couple of 580EX II, though i've been curious Like nikon CLS does the canon wireless flash gets triggered by a preflash or by infrared? since the wireless transmitter ST-E2 uses infrared signal i'd persume if i have a 580EX II on camera as a master it will use infrared signals to trigger the slaves too?

thanks in advance

The ST-E2 sends its preflash commands through a near-infra-red filter. It has a reduced range compared to a 550EX or 580EX. which uses the flash head to emit its pre-flash command signals.

The receivers on the slave flashes detect commands from either type of light.

I use an ST-e2 on the camera then a 580EX on one stand as a master and a 430EX on another as a slave and it works perfectly. Just make sure that the IR signals can see each other.

CliveyBoy wrote in post #8451309
The ST-E2 sends its preflash commands through a near-infra-red filter. It has a reduced range compared to a 550EX or 580EX. which uses the flash head to emit its pre-flash command signals.

The receivers on the slave flashes detect commands from either type of light.

that's great to hear so it does emit flash signals like the nikon CLS system?
the CLS system it uses a flash signal which works quite well even out in bright sunlight. if canon uses infrared to transmit i am abit skeptical about outdoors shoots. as i dont want to spend extra 800 for pocketwizards/radiopop​pers

I believe you will see a reduction in range using the ST-E2. The ST-E2 flash is no where near as bright.

Titus213 wrote in post #8451869
I believe you will see a reduction in range using the ST-E2. The ST-E2 flash is no where near as bright.

Don't understand your response - the ST-e2 is an IR controller, the flash comes from the 580EX and 430EX?

Maybe you've misunderstood how it works?

NigelD wrote in post #8451427
I use an ST-e2 on the camera then a 580EX on one stand as a master and a 430EX on another as a slave and it works perfectly. Just make sure that the IR signals can see each other.

If you have an ST-E2 on the camera, then that's the master and both the 580 EX and the 430 EX are slaves.
Also, the ST-E2 emits flashes to control the slaves. The only difference is that it has a near-IR filter in front of the flash tube, to make the control light less visible in the photos (and to make sure it's useless as a conventional flash, as they'll cost you more).

The requirement is that the receivers on the slaves can see the transmitter (main flash) on the master, either bounced on walls etc. or directly, if there are nothing to bounce from (like outdoors).
If the sun hits the receiver directly, it's normally not possible to overpower that with the master's command pulses, regardless of which master you use. Sometimes you can shade the receiver and direct the transmitter towards it, especially if you don't use the light from the master to illuminate the subject.

Does this mean that 1 ST-E2 transmitter (master) can trigger 2 430 ExII (slaves)?

I currently have just 1 430 EXii and am trying to figure out a way in order to get a 2 flash set up which I can trigger worelessly without forking out for expensive trigger systems. So perhaps simply buying a ST-E" and 2nd 430exii or 580ex ii would be a good solution? It would be for shooting indoors or outdoors by night.

puzzle ,the st-e2 will fire the 580 flashes as well as the 430 flashes both in manual mode and ettl
i believe the manuals say that the 580 ex flashes have better range but from my own experience i got better range from the st-e2 especially outside at night

apersson850 wrote in post #8457724
Maybe you've misunderstood how it works?If you have an ST-E2 on the camera, then that's the master and both the 580 EX and the 430 EX are slaves.
Also, the ST-E2 emits flashes to control the slaves. The only difference is that it has a near-IR filter in front of the flash tube, to make the control light less visible in the photos (and to make sure it's useless as a conventional flash, as they'll cost you more).

The requirement is that the receivers on the slaves can see the transmitter (main flash) on the master, either bounced on walls etc. or directly, if there are nothing to bounce from (like outdoors).
If the sun hits the receiver directly, it's normally not possible to overpower that with the master's command pulses, regardless of which master you use. Sometimes you can shade the receiver and direct the transmitter towards it, especially if you don't use the light from the master to illuminate the subject.

Best comment, thanks

patrick clarke wrote in post #8855078
puzzle ,the st-e2 will fire the 580 flashes as well as the 430 flashes both in manual mode and ettl
i believe the manuals say that the 580 ex flashes have better range but from my own experience i got better range from the st-e2 especially outside at night

Just to clarify, the ST-E2 can fire EX flashes that have been set up as slaves in manual mode but the ST-E2 cannot be used to control the power output of these slaves. The slave power output has to be set on the slave flash itself. This is because the ST-E2 does not have manual control capability like the 580EX flash does when used as a master.

This is the set up I have and the 580 is used as the master to control outputs from it and the 430. I think I didn't explain this fully when I replied.

I tried triggering a 580ex II in direct sunlight blasting right into the little red IR box on the flash unit and had another 580ex II on camera to fire it and I couldn't get more than 10 ft. shading the sensor, added a little more distance. Sticking to pocket wizards for now, still have a few to get rid of though. Or continue to wait for a better transmitter from canon.