Problem using 2 flashes

[zeeman]

Hi all,

I just got the Canon Speedlite 580EX II. I mount the flash in my camera and set is as "master", and then I set the other Speedlite 430EX as "slave".

The thing is both flashes fire, but the image I get is very dark. Maybe both flashes are not properly syncronized? Any idea ?

Here's an example. Here you can see the "slave" flash fired, and I know the "master" flash did it as well. I set the camera on "manual", 1/100s, f/6.3, ISO 100

http://www.photozo.com/album/data/500/IMG_17111.jpg

[brucep]

Jose, you may need to adjust the Ratio (on your on-camera flash) of the two flashes, or you may have accidentally "told" the on-camera flash not to fire. Obviously, it's sending the message to your slave and your slave is in sync with your shutter.

Often when something like this happens to me, I have to stop for a meal or do something else for a while, then pick up the flash's manual and begin again, with both flashes and camera in hand. You'll get the hang of it, then you'll LOVE it!

[Capt Rick]

I found out last night that my old Sunpac 5000AF has a slave feature on it.
I put it up on my tri-pod and put my 580EX on the camera.
Well,,,,It took me about 45min to figure out how to set it up. Not having the book on the Sunpac didn't help any either.
What I did was go manual on everything. I know there are other ways to do it, but I made it work.
I would show you the pictures,,,,but the wife wont let me...........................

Hang in there ZeeMan,,,,you'll get it.

[zeeman]

Bruce, thanks a lot for your help. I was able to get some nice photos after (as you suggested), stopping for a meal and get my hands in the manual and gear.

Still, after testing and reading, there are something that isn't clear for me: When I turn the flash on, the zoom says "24mm". I can change it up to 105mm. I made some test shots using 24mm, 35, 50 and so on, and I hadnt seen any difference. I manually changed on the slave and on the master one.

How this "zoom" affects the image? As I said, all images look about the same.

Also, about the "RATIO", I really couldnt understand. I see it goes from 8:1 to 1:8, but I cannot really understand the concept. As far as I've seen, its like the compensation or proportion of flash and the ambient light.

So far I am using both flashes on full auto, but dont know how the ratio and zoom affect the photos.

Any help ?

[brucep]

I notice on page 39 of the 580EX manual it gives (only as an example) a situation where you want to use a slave but prevent the master unit from firing. This is misleading, as in most situations you WILL want the master to fire (that exception should've been a footnote!).

On page 40, as you've seen, it shows you about the ratio (having already assigned each flash to a "group" on page 39). I have no idea how they came up with those ratio numbers (in bold). I just use the ones in parentheses: If I have it adjusted so the indicator is all the way to the left, for example, one flash will be about five times stronger than the other. Adjusted all the way in the other direction will give the opposite ratio (the previously 'weak' flash will be the strong one this way, and the previously strong one is weaker). I usually find the best results by adjusting about two-thirds to three-quarters from center, with the off-camera slave flash set to be the stronger flash.

Regarding the zoom. I let the flash "listen" to the camera and decide it's own zoom setting. Sometimes I do pull down the diffuser on the slave flash, though, to get broader coverage. The camera will "tell" each of them how much light to put out, even if you're bouncing one or both or using a diffuser or umbrella. It's nearly miraculous!
_____________________
Anyone else interested can download the Canon 580EX manual here (4.5MB PDF):
http://brucephilpott.com/photos/580EX_Manual.pdf

[zeeman]

Thanks a lot, Bruce. Yesterday I made some test shots are you are right, I absolutely love the results. I am just awaiting for the reflector to arrive. I went to Madrid 3 days ago to buy some gear at a friend's store but they didnt have the reflector I wanted.

Edit: I got the 580EX II. It is somehow different to the 580EX. It has weather sealed buttons and it does not have the "master / slave" slider anymore, now you have to select master or slave using the buttons. Also it has a different system to attach to the camera (instead of the wheel now it has some kind of lock, pretty clever though).

[brucep]

Glad to hear it's working for you, Jose. I have the new version of the off-camera cord which has that improved locking mechanism.

Years ago I bought a tiny C-clamp with a mini-ballhead attached to it. I guess it's designed for mounting a tiny camera someplace for a self portrait. My 2nd flash "lives" on a shoe I've attached to that C-clamp so I can quickly attach it to a shelf, etc.

A 2nd flash is easy for an assistant to hold up over their head and point at your subject, too (in a crowded party, for instance). Just have the assistant place their index finger right next to the flash tube pointing forward. Somehow we're "wired" to be able to point a finger accurately, and that means the flash will light where the "pointer" intends it to.

[zeeman]

Something that happened the other day was that the batteries of the master flash were not fully chanrge, so the flash was not ready to shot. The flash "told" the slave one to fire, but the master could not fire itself because of the battery problems (the "pilot" light was off).

Its curious that the master flash could not fire itself but still had power enough to remotelly fire the slave one. That was the reason of the problem I had in the photo I posted in this thread.

Right now I am using the slave flash bounced to the ceiling, using the stand included with the flash.

[W.Smith]

I am just awaiting for the reflector to arrive.



Don't wait! Make one yourself! Get a foam board of the size and shape you want from the D-I-Y store, carefully crumple and stretch out aluminium household foil, spray-glue the board, attach the alu foil (shiny side up!) to the board, and iron flat (without heat!). Finish the edges with gaffer tape.

Tada!
Reflector for 5 bucks!

[Capt Rick]

Post some of your pictures Jose. I would like to see them.

[zeeman]

I am just awaiting for the reflector to arrive.



Don't wait! Make one yourself! Get a foam board of the size and shape you want from the D-I-Y store, carefully crumple and stretch out aluminium household foil, spray-glue the board, attach the alu foil (shiny side up!) to the board, and iron flat (without heat!). Finish the edges with gaffer tape.

Tada!
Reflector for 5 bucks!

Thanks a lot for your advise, buddy ! I've heard a windhield sun protector (aluminum-like one) can also work very well. I will make some tests and will let you know how it went.


Post some of your pictures Jose. I would like to see them.

I will, Rick, as soon as I finish doing my homemade stuff !!! :-D

[Capt Rick]

,,,,,,,Hurry up! Ha-Ha-Ha.

[zeeman]

,,,,,,,Hurry up! Ha-Ha-Ha.

Tomorrow (well, today) is holiday here, so I will have plenty of time to play with the toys :-P