Quick question.

I just received a light stand, flash bracket, and umbrella so I want to start playing with off camera flash (strobist here I come).

I want to trigger my 430 with my 580 (which is on my camera)...but I do not want the 580 to fire.

I tried to go into custom function 7 of the 5D and disable the flash, but then the 430 doesnt fire.

Any tips?

You can disable the flash from the 580EX (from the flash's menu). However, note that it still might appear as if the 580EX fires, but it's just a pre-flash (to trigger the 430EX) and so is not captured in the photo.

thanks for the quick response simon...

AHH, so that flash is irrelevant? gottcha...thanks!

it was driving me CRAZY because thats what I thought I was doing! but the damn thing kept 'flashing'! you just saved me lots o frustration!

*http://eosdoc.com/manuals/?q=580EX* Page 36.

I have a 580II, 580, 430. Lots of fun with stands and umbrellas. Check your owner's manual. You'll cycle through the 'master' menu and find an option for on/off with a picture of the flash showing lines from the flash head to represent a flash of light. rotate the dial and you can choose on/off.

'Off' will still fire the signal flash like mentioned above. It does not contribute to the actual exposure.


EDIT - you responded before I posted. If you had doubts, the 580 light would show up in the photo, so remember to watch the shadows in the future for the tell-tale shadows from a shoe mount flash.