7D wireless transmitter problem?

I had trouble on my first attempt using my 550EX off camera today. I was working outside on a fairly bright day, and had my 550EX sitting on my 10D (off) on a tripod, camera left. Filtered sun was on camera right. I couldn't get the slave to fire unless I was within about 3-6 feet of it. Even then, most of the time I had to be pointing at it. It seemed to have more problems to the side (45 degrees to subject); if I pointed directly at the back or front of my 550EX it would fire perhaps 6-8 feet away, but not further than that.

Is this normal? I wasn't thinking I'd have to buy a wireless transmitter...........

Thanks

the canon wireless system uses flashes of light to send signals. on a bright day the system is less effective. this is why many migrate to wireless RF transmitters. outside, with nothing to bounce off of, the canon wireless system is line of sight. aim the sensor of the 550ex towards the 7D. then rotate the head around to illuminate your subject.

sensor toward camera, rotate head to subject. Duh; got it. Thank you

mpstan wrote in post #11116776
sensor toward camera, rotate head to subject. Duh; got it. Thank you

And shade the IR sensor on the slave flash from the sun!

What you are experiencing is normal.

I know you have to pretty much have the sensor pointed towards the camera for optimum performance.

Never thought about shading the flash sensor from the sun, but that might improve things. Just make sure the shade you use keeps the sensor in view of the camera.

At some point I may be going to an RF (radio) wireless setup, but I am in the early stages of picking one out. I think there are a few systems out there that can reliably fire off a flash 500 feet away.

harcosparky wrote in post #11117828
What you are experiencing is normal.

I know you have to pretty much have the sensor pointed towards the camera for optimum performance.

Never thought about shading the flash sensor from the sun, but that might improve things. Just make sure the shade you use keeps the sensor in view of the camera.

At some point I may be going to an RF (radio) wireless setup, but I am in the early stages of picking one out. I think there are a few systems out there that can reliably fire off a flash 500 feet away.

I find the ST-E2 to work well, even in full sun (depending on how far away you are. You will need it if you go to the Radio Poppers, as it's the commander for the RP xmitter.

I made a little shade for my flashes when I wanted them as slaves outdoors. Worked much better than without the shade.