Canon Speedlite 580EX I M-Mode confusion...

[lextalionis]

Okay,

I'm confused...after reading pgs. 22 and 23 here: http://eosdoc.com/manuals/?q=580EX and using the flash I'm confused.

In M-Mode the power starts at 1/1 and I assume this is full power. Now what's confusing me is when I can select 1/2, 1/2 -0.3, 1/2 +0.3, 1/2 -0.7 and 1/2 +0.7 huh? I know I'm missing something simple so some help would be appreciated.

Generally, I want to really dial down the output of this guy since he's on my camera body and then use 430EX off camera as my primary light. Which btw, even after reading, if I use a 580EX I as a master on and a 430EX as a slave both in M-Mode, the power of the 430EX is controlled via the 430EX and not the 550EX right? I could have sworn that I read somwhere that you control the pwr of the slave from the master. And, I can safely say that manual pwr adjustments on the 430EX behave differently than the 580EX.

Thanks,
Roy

[eRoc]

The answer is on page 23. Just read it over and over again.

You can increase/decrease the power in 1/3 stop increments inbetween 1/2 and 1/4, etc.

And yes you can control the power outage of the 430 from the 580, but I think thats only in ettl, I could be wrong though. I use all mine in manual and adjust each as i go along.


READ THE MANUAL. THE MANUAL IS YOUR FRIEND.

[lextalionis]

Okay thanks, but I've read that page and the scale is confusing the hell out of me.

Here's a quick question:

What's the difference between 1/2 +0.7 and 1/1 -0.3 ?

I think I follow the logic but just need this quick check.

Thanks,
Roy

[eRoc]

Yea I've never read an instruction manual that wasn't confusing, thats why we have to read it a billion times. lol

As far as your question goes, its the same thing. 2+3=5 5-3=2 <----same thing.

Its only confusing because you're mixing fractions and decimals, and most of us can only comprehend one or the other.

But basically you have 1/1 -1/3(<---one third of a stop inbetween 1/1 and 1/2)
and 1/2 + 2/3 (.6666 rounds up to .7, which is 2/3 of a stop inbetween 1/2 and 1/1)

Now that I've confused you further, I can either break it down with pie charts, or you can just trust me that its the same thing.

[eRoc]

Here's basically what the manual says, but maybe it'll be easier for you to understand.

[canoflan]

Originally Posted by eRoc

The answer is on page 23. Just read it over and over again.

You can increase/decrease the power in 1/3 stop increments inbetween 1/2 and 1/4, etc.

And yes you can control the power outage of the 430 from the 580, but I think thats only in ettl, I could be wrong though. I use all mine in manual and adjust each as i go along.


READ THE MANUAL. THE MANUAL IS YOUR FRIEND.

Controlling the 430 with the 580 is available with the 580 in either TTL, or manual mode. The key is to have the 430 in TTL, regardless and in Slave mode so that it will be looking for the signal from the 580. Additionally, you need to ensure the 430 is on channel B, not A since the 580 is the master and on channel A. It is a great thing to be able to adjust the 430 from the 580 and set your ratios the way you want.

The above is all from the manual; but, I won't deny I had to experiment a tad to get it just how I wanted. Now I know how to set it up exactly every time.

I have had excellent results from using a PW on the camera, one on the 580, then putting another 580 in TTL mode, slave and on channel B while using my master 580 in manual mode driving the slave 580. Great stuff.
Pat

[eRoc]

I use mine just like studio strobes, so I just adjust mine individually. I will experiment using the one in TTL, because that would be something cool to know, but I'll probably still just adjust mine individually, since as now I'm almost getting it right the first try every time.

Just an FYI, for anyone reading this, you need a hotshoe adapter to use both PW's and canon's infrared system. (I have two PW's; one on cam, one on a 580exII (set as master) with the hotshoe adapter, then two other 580 ex's set as slaves and firing them using canon's infrared crap). A PW into the 580ex's PC sync port disables the master function (or maybe it disables the infrared system....either way it doesn't work).

Just a bit of useful information that I had to learn the hard way.

[cacheshier]

Originally Posted by eRoc

Just an FYI, for anyone reading this, you need a hotshoe adapter to use both PW's and canon's infrared system. (I have two PW's; one on cam, one on a 580exII (set as master) with the hotshoe adapter, then two other 580 ex's set as slaves and firing them using canon's infrared crap). A PW into the 580ex's PC sync port disables the master function (or maybe it disables the infrared system....either way it doesn't work).

Just a bit of useful information that I had to learn the hard way.

Eric, I am curious as to way you are using the pocket wizards mixed with the infrared? Are you placing some of the flashes in a location where the infrared just won't fire it off or what?

[brad]

Originally Posted by lextalionis

Okay thanks, but I've read that page and the scale is confusing the hell out of me.

Here's a quick question:

What's the difference between 1/2 +0.7 and 1/1 -0.3 ?

I think I follow the logic but just need this quick check.

Thanks,
Roy

There is no difference between those two... only at how you arrived at it.

You set it for 1/4 and move it up.. it says 1/4 + .3 and then 1/4 + .7 and then 1/2 ... now go back from 1/2 and you see 1/2 - .3 and then 1/2 -.7 and then 1/4 ... same set of settings, just different ways of representing them.

[lextalionis]

Thanks guys...it was confusing at first for me. eRoc's scale drawing made all the difference. This is clear to me now.

-Roy

[eRoc]

Originally Posted by cacheshier

Eric, I am curious as to way you are using the pocket wizards mixed with the infrared? Are you placing some of the flashes in a location where the infrared just won't fire it off or what?

Yes. I have 3 580ex's, and wanted them all off cam. I also shoot alot of "dark" pictures, so I have to seperate my subject from the background. If I leave one of the 580's on cam as master, and place the other 580 behind the subject to seperate them from the background, the one in the back wont fire (line of sight issue with infrared). The flashes I have on the side of the subject will fire though. I solved this by using PW's and taking the master flash off cam, and using that flash behind the subject. That way my two side flashes (slaves) will still fire using canon's infrared system, because they are in the line of sight with the one in the back.

Make sense?

Right now this system works fine for me. I hope to save up for 2 more PW's for my slaves, but right now I see no point as I haven't run into any more issues with any of the flashes not firing. If i was going to use all 3 flashes during the day (where the infrared system really sucks), I would probably need the other 2 PW's. This isn't an issue for me since I use the sun as a backlight or main light.

[canoflan]

As eRoc mentioned, you have to have the hot shoe adapter for off camera use with PWs and the Canon flashes. I recommend this guy at www.flashzebra.com who makes an integrated miniplug/hotshoe adapter all in one designed to work just for this; however, since the 580EX II now has a PC outlet, you don't need the item I am describing, however, I do like it better since you need a hotshoe adapter on your umbrella bracket anyway on the light stand and it keeps you from having to keep up with a separate wire connecting the flash to the PW.
Pat

[eRoc]

Thats the exact adapter I use. Good guy, super fast shipping, and it only cost me $20.

[canoflan]

Originally Posted by eRoc

Thats the exact adapter I use. Good guy, super fast shipping, and it only cost me $20.

Yeah, and he will work deals with you and custom stuff as well.

I have been thinking of a 50ft extension of my TTL cord so that I can get TTL off camera without having to worry about line of sight, etc....

Pat

[eRoc]

I thought about that too, especially seeing as how I can't afford Radio Poppers AND Pocket Wizards. Why is the little crap the most expensive?!? lol