High Speed Sync in manual mode

Does High Speed Sync work when firing the flash in manual mode? I know it lets me set it, but it does not appear to work as I get the shadow of the shutter edge which is an obvious sign it is not doing HSS. If it does not work then why do they let you even set it? ...sorry, this is with a 580EX II

No, HSS essentially converts the flash into a series of pulses that illuminate the subject, in ettl mode. Manual flash implies you get to decide between full, 1/2, 1/4 etc power settings, but that wouldnt work as HSS seriously limits your power output.

The Speedlite has to have full communication with the body in order for HSS to work properly.

Your Choices for HSS are:
- On Camera
- Off Camera But With A Cord (Hotshoe Extension)
- Off Camera Radio Poppers
- Off Camera Flex TT / PW Minis

I suspected as much. Shame on Canon for letting the user actually set HSS while in manual mode. It should not even be an option if it does not work. Just my $.02 Thanks for verifying what I suspected.

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Dermit wrote in post #8905123
Shame on Canon for letting the user actually set HSS while in manual mode. It should not even be an option if it does not work.

It does work, as long as your flash is on your hotshoe, or connected with a OC-E3 or other compatible TTL cord, or fired via Canon's wireless flash system.

With HSS, the flash needs to begin firing when the first curtain starts to open. PC cords and traditional radio systems do not provide the communication to make that happen.

Curtis N wrote in post #8905702
It does work, as long as your flash is on your hotshoe, or connected with a OC-E3 or other compatible TTL cord, or fired via Canon's wireless flash system.

With HSS, the flash needs begin firing when the first curtain starts to open. PC cords and traditional radio systems do not provide this communication.

Good Point...

Shouldn't confuse "Off Camera" with "Manual"

But it does work. I thougth it would, but I wasn't sure, so I just went and tried it with a 580 EX II on a 40D. No problem at all. But just as with E-TTL, range is limited.

Oh, sorry, some other answers came in while I was testing it.

Curtis N wrote in post #8905702
It does work, as long as your flash is on your hotshoe, or connected with a OC-E3 or other compatible TTL cord, or fired via Canon's wireless flash system.

With HSS, the flash needs to begin firing when the first curtain starts to open. PC cords and traditional radio systems do not provide the communication to make that happen.

That is good to know, but I will be off camera with regular PWs firing. So I will just have to keep the shutter to max sync or below. Thanks.

Sorry for digging up an old thread but....

I just want to confirm what I am reading is correct:

to allows HSS works, the flash light (580EX2) will have to connect to the camera in some mean (on hotshoe, OC-E3, radiopopper, pocketwizard etc).

And the flash can set to either ETTL mode, and/or Manual mode -- as long as conncetion between camera and Flash.

Please confirm if my understanding is correct.

andylo wrote in post #10477995
I just want to confirm what I am reading is correct:

to allows HSS works, the flash light (580EX2) will have to connect to the camera in some mean (on hotshoe, OC-E3, radiopopper, pocketwizard etc).

And the flash can set to either ETTL mode, and/or Manual mode -- as long as connection between camera and Flash.

Yes and yes, but "some means" does not include e.g. a PC-sync cord or a simple radio trigger. Only some PWs will handle it. You can now add Pixel Knight radio triggers to the list of HSS-capable triggers.

I actually like that Canon added the HSS option. It allows me to have shutter speeds above the normal HSS (350+)

will this guy make HSS work?
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31​oYIMOgPWL.jpg

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #8905107
The Speedlite has to have full communication with the body in order for HSS to work properly.

Your Choices for HSS are:
- On Camera
- Off Camera But With A Cord (Hotshoe Extension)
- Off Camera Radio Poppers
- Off Camera Flex TT / PW Minis

hhidajat wrote in post #10516976
will this guy make HSS work?
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31​oYIMOgPWL.jpg

Yes.

It works very well.

I've just started my digital learning curve. I did a blog post about doing HSS with manual flashes.

In a nutshell it required setting my 580ex II to the lowest manual power setting and using it to trigger a manul off camera flash. If I had TTL wireless triggers I would not need the hack, but being able to set the power manually allows full creative control.