I have a 580EX I and a 550EX. I am using the 580EX as the on camera master. When I try to use the 550EX as a wireless slave, I can see the 550EX firing what I assume is the ETTL preflash, but when the image is taken there is no light seen from the slave. The only light in the image is produced by the master, or when I just use the master as a trigger the picture is just dark. Would this more likely be a problem with the slave, or with the master? I would think slave because I can see the flash fire what I assume is before the image is taken.
I can use the 550EX as the master and the 580EX as the slave and everything works ok. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this issue, and what other tests I could try. The next thing I am going to try is manual mode.
sdfreeland wrote:
...When I try to use the 550EX as a wireless slave, I can see the 550EX firing what I assume is the ETTL preflash, but when the image is taken there is no light seen from the slave. The only light in the image is produced by the master, or when I just use the master as a trigger the picture is just dark. Would this more likely be a problem with the slave, or with the master?
It could be either, or a communications issue between the two.
If you haven't already done so, double check what Group the 550 is set to when it's in Slave mode, and what power ratio is set on the 580.
Has the 550ex worked previous as the slave or is the new gear for you?
If set to the same channel as the master with the switch in slave mode the 550ex should passively follow the instructions of the master 580ex. The Master in the hot shoe defaults to Group A so you'd need to set the 550ex slave to the same channel and Group B for A:B rations to work.
I'd suggest trying master and slave in different channels. Also take the batteries out for about 15 min. which should clear the flash memory. If you press the pilot light on the Master it will flash and the slave will flash about a second later to confirm it has seen the master's light. You might also T\try firing a shot in ETTL then M then ETTL again and note if the mode indicated on the 580ex changes after the master fires in each mode.
Worst case if you can't sort this out using the 550ex as Master is actually not a bad idea since in ratios above 1:1 the slave/key is usually working harder than the fill if at similar distances.
Thanks for the advice. I was told the 550ex worked as a slave before. It is new gear to me. I will run to the camera store to see if I can test another unit. I'm not sure which one is causing the problems. It's very strange though.
I tried both on channels 1,2 and 3. I tried to set the 550EX slave as group C, but still nothing. When I fire the Pilot light on the 580EX as master, the 550ex slave does not go off when slave is B or C group. When Slave and Master are assigned to A, when I fire the pilot, the slave switches to multi burst and fires about 10 shots. Very weird. The only reason why I think it might be the 580EX sending out communication errors is because even when set to master, the 580ex is now not even lighting the picture, it's just firing TTL.
Oh well, just another reason for me to want the Phottix Odin
Check the group and channel for both speedlites and make sure they are set right. Also to make sure the slave is set to ETTL mode even if you plan on shooting in manual mode. This will allow you to change settings for both from the camera.
Make sure the lock on the 580EX is clamped down securing it to the camera as the connection can be intermittent otherwise, potentially. It's easy to overlook that. Of course, try fresh batteries, though I assume that's already been done.
Also check out the camera shoe and the 580 foot to make sure no repair is necessary. I've heard of it, but not had problems myself.
