Canon's Wireless Flash control Question

[rickp1]

I have a Canon Speedlite 580EX and I would like to know what wireless device I need to control it. Is there a wireless file transmitter and flash control in one device?

Will the Pocketwizard control a slave 580EX flash? That looks like a good tool. I'm not controlling light other than a Speedlite flash at this point but rather thinking of the future.

Thanks
R.

[uridiscence]

I just posted the same question...I should've done a search first.

I would like to know the same thing...I heard that the Pocketwizards are good, but that came from a Nikon shooter.

[rickp1]

I found info on the Mini and other from Pocketwizard but I would like some feedback from actual users.

Thanks
R.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by rickp1

I have a Canon Speedlite 580EX and I would like to know what wireless device I need to control it.

Depends on what kind of wireless you're talking about.

If you just want to pop the 580EX when another flash goes off, you could use an optical slave, but you also have to have some way to connect it. Only the 580EXII has a PC port. The real problem, though, is that an optical slave will pop the remote light if any passing strangers lets off their flash, and also optical slaves will trigger on an eTTL preflash, so your master flash must be in manual mode. This is good for P&S cameras, or if you have another external flash unit, but you can't use the pop-up flash unless you've got a 7D/1DMkIV.

And if you had a 7D/1DMkIV, you'd just use the pop-up Canon infrared master, and the 580EX in slave mode. If you don't have a 7D/1DMkIV, you can also use the Canon infrared signalling as the on-camera master if you have a 550EX, 580EX, 580EXII, or ST-E2. But that's expensive and limited in range and to line-of-sight, and is less reliable outdoors, particularly in bright sunshine. It's like your TV remote. But if you use this system, you retain eTTL, high-speed synch, and remote flash power setting.

If you want cheap and reliable with manual only flash, then radio triggers, like PocketWizards, Cybersyncs, RadioPopper JrXs, Cactus V4s, or Yongnuo RF602s are probably what you're looking for.

If you want eTTL/HSS/remote commanding AND radio, then you have to blow the big bucks on Radiopopper PXs or the TTL-capable PocketWizards.

Is there a wireless file transmitter and flash control in one device?

No. Wireless file transmission can only be done on the XXD and up models with a special WFT grip. Those are generally about $600 and upwards. Some folks have hacked together DIY things with wireless USB adapters, but that generally requires you know how to solder and rewire circuit boards yourself.

There's also the eye-fi card.

Will the Pocketwizard control a slave 580EX flash?

Yes. It will also act as a shutter remote if you want. However, remember that you will need TWO of them: one as a transmitter/master on camera, and one as a receiver/slave on the flash. PocketWizards are the gold standard for professionals who need rock-solid reliability, but these days there are far less expensive options, as I've listed above.

[rickp1]

Wow!! A little more complicated than I expected. Bare with me I'm a newbe. I'm shooting a 7D and I have a Speedlite 580EX II. What I would like to do at this point is to use my pop up and my 580 as a slave off to the side on an umbrella or separate stand.

After reading a bit on this on it's also my understanding that I can control the intensity of the slave flash from my camera settings. Is that possible? The reason I'm trying to use the pop up is because i don't have a second flash and don't have the need to justify another. I'm trying to expand and maximize what I have the poor man's way. LOL!!

Thanks
R.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by rickp1

Wow!! A little more complicated than I expected. Bare with me I'm a newbe. I'm shooting a 7D and I have a Speedlite 580EX II. What I would like to do at this point is to use my pop up and my 580 as a slave off to the side on an umbrella or separate stand.

After reading a bit on this on it's also my understanding that I can control the intensity of the slave flash from my camera settings. Is that possible? The reason I'm trying to use the pop up is because i don't have a second flash and don't have the need to justify another. I'm trying to expand and maximize what I have the poor man's way. LOL!!

Thanks
R.

Yes and yes. Essentially this mimics the system Nikon's been using. For almost a decade.

Same goes for your precious "colour matrix metering"

[inkista]

Originally Posted by rickp1

... it's also my understanding that I can control the intensity of the slave flash from my camera settings. Is that possible?

Try this:
How To Control Multiple Flashes Wirelessly With A Canon 7D

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

... Essentially this mimics the system Nikon's been using. For almost a decade.

Same goes for your precious "colour matrix metering"

Which is only half as long as it took for Nikon to make Tilt-shift lenses.

And aren't you still waiting on entry level bodies being able to autofocus with all the autofocus lenses in the lineup...?

[kamikaze_productions]

does anyone have a manual for someone using a 40d and a 580exII (hopefully going to purchase soon!)?

this flash things seems way less intuitive on canon than on nikon systems

[RichardTaylor]

The 580 EXII manual can be seen here. (It's a PDF file under drivers & downloads)

EOS (SLR) Camera Systems - Flashes - Speedlite 580EX II - Canon USA Consumer Products

[JeffSmith]

If you're starting out, put the 580 EXII on the camera, switch it to ETTL and forget about it - awesome piece of kit.

There's no way I'd use a pop-up flash with the 580 to the side, you'll get red-eye and harsh light on the face. Put the 580 EXII on the camera and buy a cheap flash gun on a slave to go off at the side. The 580 EXII does so much, it's criminal to use the pop-up.