p.1 #1 · 580EX PreFlash as Wireless Manual Master?
I'm hoping to use two old flashes in Manual Mode, off camera, triggered by optical slaves affixed to their hot shoes, in conjunction with two 580EX flash units.
I know that switching a 580EX Master into Manual mode will cause a 580EX Slave to be wirelessly switched into Manual mode as a result of the Master's optical pre-flash. And, an off-camera 580EX set to Slave may be physically (i.e. non wirelessly) switched into Manual Mode and set for a particular flash output level. Regardless of method, once both are in Manual Mode, does the Master still pre-flash before each exposure?
As my optical slave trigger isn't working, I can't test the theory, and the E TTL preflash is faster than I can visually detect so I'm unable to determine if it's present in Manual Mode.
If any Canon Wireless Flash System FM'ers have worked this through, I'd welcome hearing from you.
If the Master always pre-flashes every shot (even in Manual Mode), then a Digital Pre-flash savy slave trigger (like the Wein HSD, or Morris DS-1) would be required to include my older flash units in the contemplated wireless manual flash system.
p.1 #2 · 580EX PreFlash as Wireless Manual Master?
Not sure... but I do know that the E-TTL preflash is indeed detectable. How? If you can't see it nornally, set your camera to second-curtain sync, and then set your camera for a 2-second exposure. You'll see the preflash... then see the main flash 2 seconds later.
Do keep us posted as I'm curious as to the results myself.
p.1 #3 · 580EX PreFlash as Wireless Manual Master?
Shiva:
Good suggestion!
I can set the 580EX to Manual with Second Curtain sync, with a long duration exposure on the camera. I don't see why that wouldn't demonstrate the answer regardless if the Manual and Second Curtain syncs are set manually or wirelessly. I'll test these tomorrow, as I'm about to hit the sac.
p.1 #4 · 580EX PreFlash as Wireless Manual Master?
By disabling the Master Unit's Flash from firing (as mentioned, in the 580EX User Manual footer notation Pg 36), it was evident that a 580EX set to "Master" always emits a Pre-Flash to transmit wireless signals.
Also discovered that, Second Curtain Sync is not supported in wireless mode.
Physically setting the Slave unit to wireless Manual Mode requires a 2 second press of the Mode button. This was not intuitive until I read Pg 43 of the User Manual. Once physically set to this Manual mode M Blinks.
Also explored the Ratio Feature which is very nice!! First, the Slave Unit must be set as Slave B - not as Slave A. This is because the Master unit (on camera) defaults to group A even though it is not a Slave. Without this step things didn't work smoothly. With the User Guide info at hand, it's easy to quickly get the hang of it.
Although none of my existing optical slave triggers will work with this system, the Wein Digital claims it understands pre-flash, and, Morris has three products that are supposed to as well. Of course, I could also get another Canon EX flash or two.
I did discover that the 580EX does not emit any Pre-Flash when set to Manual Mode (non-wireless) and used on camera. In this condition, normal optical slaves may be used.
