580EX ll & 580EX Sync

I was experimenting today with a newly aquired speedlite(the 580EX), and wanted to get both flashes to fire off camera, with just one CyberSync receiver.

I had a CSRB receiver plugged into the 580EX ll, set to Master, in a softbox, which covered the entire speedlite, and the 580EX, set to Slave, was on the floor behind me, so the sightline was completely blocked.

Here is the strange part though, the only way I could get the Master to fire the Slave, was to set the master in ETTL and the slave in Manual???

so does anyone have an explaination for this, and also, the theory of the 2 speedlites needing to "see" each other has me baffled?

Here is a pic of the result, and the only model I had on hand was my ugly self, and I should have been farther from the background!

the cybersync wireless system does not support ETTL functionality. The only way you can do it is by using the canon STE-2, radio poppers or the new PWs

Something is missing here. The setup you described won't fire the slave flash. Are you sure it triggered?

you won't be able to use the master/slave functions of the speedlites with the cybersyncs. you need 2 receivers, one for each flash.

You can fire two flashes off a single receiver.

You need the mono splitter adapter that you can get at Radio Shack, it has a single male 1/8" adapter that plugs into the port on the Cybersync Receiver and two female 1/8" adapters on the other side. You will need another 1/8" to PC adapter AND a hotshoe adapter as the straight 580 doesn't have a PC port.

If you want some separation between the two flashes, get an extension cable . . .


Edit: It is an 1/8" Y-Adapter, like this one: http://www.radioshack.​com …dex.jsp?product​Id=2103422

jeromego wrote in post #8547171
the cybersync wireless system does not support ETTL functionality. The only way you can do it is by using the canon STE-2, radio poppers or the new PWs

I was not attempting to use ETTL funtionality. I was attempting to use Manual mode on the speedlites, using one as a master, and the other as a slave. It worked, but ONLY the way i described in the OP.

mattograph wrote in post #8547190
Something is missing here. The setup you described won't fire the slave flash. Are you sure it triggered?

Positive the slave fired!

jeromego wrote in post #8547204
you won't be able to use the master/slave functions of the speedlites with the cybersyncs. you need 2 receivers, one for each flash.

1 receiver fired both speedlites the way I described in the OP. I just don't know why or how it did it, because of HOW the canon system is "suppose" to operate.

GSansoucie wrote in post #8547249
You need the mono splitter adapter that you can get at Radio Shack, it has a single male 1/8" adapter that plugs into the port on the Cybersync Receiver and two female 1/8" adapters on the other side. You will need another 1/8" to PC adapter AND a hotshoe adapter as the straight 580 doesn't have a PC port.

I got the y splitter yesterday, but no one in town has the hotshoe adapter. that is the set-up i was going to do, but experimented with this today, and it worked. Just need to know why?????

MX-ActionShots wrote in post #8546936
I had a CSRB receiver plugged into the 580EX ll, set to Master, in a softbox, which covered the entire speedlite, and the 580EX, set to Slave, was on the floor behind me, so the sightline was completely blocked.

Here is the strange part though, the only way I could get the Master to fire the Slave, was to set the master in ETTL and the slave in Manual.

As there is no Canon wireless E-TTL communication between camera and master, the master needs to have Manual power settings. But to fire a slave with the master's wireless communication, it needs to be set to Master.

The problem is that Canon uses logic to disable the PC-Sync port when in Master and Manual modes! One solution is to use a hotshoe adapter that accepts the trigger and fires the master through its foot contacts.

The slave then can be in E-TTL mode and will duplicate the master's power settings, or in Manual mode and use your manual setting.

The performance of the light-carried command codes can be quite good in an enclosed space, and the softbox would help to scatter the signals. It would still be worth ensuring that the slave's receiver is facing the Master's light source, even if that is bounced. (I have effectively used a reflector for this.)

Punch in "hybrid triggering" (part basic sync and part Canon infrared together) into the flash forum search feature and be prepared for a lengthy and carefully reading of several posts to understand how to accomplish this, including the numerous limitations.

Enjoy! Lon

MX-ActionShots wrote in post #8547253
I was not attempting to use ETTL funtionality. I was attempting to use Manual mode on the speedlites, using one as a master, and the other as a slave. It worked, but ONLY the way i described in the OP.



Positive the slave fired!



1 receiver fired both speedlites the way I described in the OP. I just don't know why or how it did it, because of HOW the canon system is "suppose" to operate.

i doubt if you'll be able to use 1 cybersync receiver to fire both using master/slave setting. not with cybersyncs.

CliveyBoy wrote in post #8547261
One solution is to use a hotshoe adapter that accepts the trigger and fires the master through its foot contacts.

The slave then can be in E-TTL mode and will duplicate the master's power settings, or in Manual mode and use your manual setting.

Hmmm, this might work. . .

Here is the proof that both fired.

You can see the main light catchlight in my eyes, and the background light behind me, with a lightsphere attached so I knew it was firing(from the rays of light)

I reduced the exposure in post to show the two lights firing better.

Hmmm. Looks like there's a comm hack of sorts out there somewhere.......

MX-ActionShots wrote in post #8546936
I was experimenting today with a newly aquired speedlite(the 580EX), and wanted to get both flashes to fire off camera, with just one CyberSync receiver.

I had a CSRB receiver plugged into the 580EX ll, set to Master, in a softbox, which covered the entire speedlite, and the 580EX, set to Slave, was on the floor behind me, so the sightline was completely blocked.

Here is the strange part though, the only way I could get the Master to fire the Slave, was to set the master in ETTL and the slave in Manual???

so does anyone have an explaination for this, and also, the theory of the 2 speedlites needing to "see" each other has me baffled?

Here is a pic of the result, and the only model I had on hand was my ugly self, and I should have been farther from the background!

Canon turns off the PC port when the 580EX II is set to Manual-Master mode.

You can regain the needed Manual-Master mode if you gain sync via the hotshoe.

Enjoy! Lon