580EXII - setting so flash doesn't fire, but AF-assist beam is on?

I know I have found this in the manual before, but somehow now I'm missing it. I'm looking for the setting that tells the flash not to fire, but leaves the AF-assist beam enabled. Help!

Which body are you using? If it has flash control, you can disable the flash firing using the camera's menu.

MonteMama...

Depending on which camera body you are using. With my 10D... it was in the custom functions (C Fn 5). I don't know how much the custom functions menu has changed over the years... but I would hope it's still in there. It so much easier with these camera bodies.

On my 1 series bodies... it's in the personal functions. I had to set it up via connecting my camera to my computer and using Canon's software to access the camera's personal functions settings (P Fn 15). Once set-up, I can change the setting in the camera... but it is rather counter intuitive... set to "off" and the beam is on... Set to "on" and the beam if off. Confusing, but once I figured it out I ran with it.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for your responses.

Well shucks, I thought for sure it was a setting on the flash. I shoot with 5D classics and and a 7D. I'll check out those manuals.

GeneMan88 wrote in post #9962785
MonteMama...

Depending on which camera body you are using. With my 10D... it was in the custom functions (C Fn 5). I don't know how much the custom functions menu has changed over the years... but I would hope it's still in there. It so much easier with these camera bodies.

On my 1 series bodies... it's in the personal functions. I had to set it up via connecting my camera to my computer and using Canon's software to access the camera's personal functions settings (P Fn 15). Once set-up, I can change the setting in the camera... but it is rather counter intuitive... set to "off" and the beam is on... Set to "on" and the beam if off. Confusing, but once I figured it out I ran with it.

Hope this helps.

it's on the camera functions (5D). on 1Ds and 1Ds mark II I can't do that. I mean I can enable/disable the AF assist but I can't disable the flash from firing.
I believe that the guys at canon's simply forgot to put it, since the function is there on the III and IV

yes i cannot see it in my 1ds mk2 anywhere too

c fn 7-1 on the 5D