Adding a PC port to a Canon flash

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AliB

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I made the error of buying a 580ex. It's a great flash in many ways, zooms to suit the lens being used, the ETTL functions well and diffused, it excellent. But it lacks a PC port for triggering remotely. That means using a Canon St-E2 which is expensive and though OK indoors it is limited by being an optical system. Outdoors it's a bit pants. So I bought pocketwizards!

So how the heck am I going to trigger the 580ex with the PW's (I use them with Vivitars, I'm not really that mad!) but I do want to be able to add the 580ex! :thinking:

I found this

http://blog.rrdphoto.com/2007/04/how-to-add-sync-port-to-canon-580ex.html

And while I'm a bit handy with a soldering iron and don't mind having a bash I also came up with this.

http://flashzebra.com/canon580ex_footassembly.shtml

One new foot with a jack plug installed duly ordered.....much cheaper than buying the 580exII.

Once I get my hands on it I'll have a go at the modification myself and let you all know how it goes.:D
 
the flashzebra mod is better as it uses mono jack rather than pc sync.

edit: just had a look at your first link and noticed it used 3.5 mono jack.
 
Yep, I have those supplied with the pocketwizards so it will fit a treat :D
 
I have just completed this mod to my 580ex and having the 3.5mm socket in the 580 works a treat with my skyports.

As you say its a cheap alternative to a 580ex and better than having a hotshoe adapter :)

Next mod is too enable master/slave mode in a 580exII and to put 3.5mm sockets into two sigma flashes.

Its been a while since i got my soldering iron out, so its makes a change!
 
surley the adapter thing for the shoe is no good as you loose ETTL function

i was sjut reading that guide, whilst looking for a vivitar version, looks like a much better idea, saving £50 if you feel comfortable opening the beast
 
saxk said:
surley the adapter thing for the shoe is no good as you loose ETTL function

i was sjut reading that guide, whilst looking for a vivitar version, looks like a much better idea, saving £50 if you feel comfortable opening the beast
Click to expand...

If your shooting 'off camera' you loose ettl anyway but there are several reasons why you would want to use it like this.

i.e: 1 set of skyports and two flashguns. set the 2 flashguns up on stands and set off the first flash with the skyports and that in turn sets of the 2nd flash

or: if you have a camera without a sync port you can use the feed from the 1st camera to trigger a transmitter to set off a flash on a stand out of sight :)

If your any good with a soldering iron and don't mind invalidating your warranty (if it still has one) then i would suggest fitting a socket to the flashgun directly.
 
oh yer i forgot it was to be used wireless:bonk::bonk:

i now use 2 receivers and 3 flashes in the method you jsut stated.
 
FranchiseJuan said:
If you are willing to spend the money, there are ways to use wireless radio flash and keep TTL functionality.
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Spooky enough I posted this link and the you tube video on another thread earlier today, I thought I was the only one who had heard of them.

I have been following there development for quite a while now and they have come a long way from the initial idea.

A bit of a pain to get hold of in the UK (due to RF licensing etc) but wont be long till a UK distribiter picks them up.
 
FranchiseJuan said:
In their latest press release, they say EU availability 6 weeks after US, which would make it mid April. For the new products that is.
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Wait and see, 6 weeks will become 6 months! :D

Not not bothered to be honest, the missus got me a set of Skyports for christmas and I am talking her into getting me two more receivers for my buffday next month, so that me out of the radio popper runnning!
 
AliB said:
One new foot with a jack plug installed duly ordered.....much cheaper than buying the 580exII.

Once I get my hands on it I'll have a go at the modification myself and let you all know how it goes.
Click to expand...

btw, did your new foot turn up and have you tried to mod your old one yet ?
 
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