Can I, Can't I, Take Two

[Ste Manns]

Hi All,

Just a quick question again. If I were to put my 580EX2 on my (finally arrived) 10 mtr Ettl cord, in master mode, and my two 430EX2's in slave mode, all in Ettl, would I also be able to fire a studio head via a sync cord plugged into the socket on the camera?

And of course, if I did would the Ettl preflash mess with the firing of the studio head (don't think it would, it's getting its firing signal via the cord, not optical slave)?

I know I can fire them all in manual (which I'd probably end up doing anyway for control) but just wondering if the Ettl would work ok anyway, both in sync terms but also in exposure terms.

Basically I want to be firing four lights, if the Ettl part is going to be a pain it doesn't matter I can still use manual power, its the firing really that I'm not sure about.

 

[HoppyUK]

Yes, that would work. You may find that if you have a fast moving subject you get a slight double image because the sync pulse that goes out through the E-TTL contacts is very fractionally ahead of the PC socket. I get this on my 5D2, YMMV.

You could also do it with an optical slave that ignores the pre-flash plugged into the studio head. Might be easier, and no sync-clash issues, like this Sonia one for £27 http://www.colinsfoto.com/-Preflash_NULL_Optical_Slave_Trigger/p43950_311598.aspx

 

[Ste Manns]

Thanks Richard - that's really helpful.

Of course I can't do any of this yet as I haven't ordered my studio heads yet

There won't be too much movement as the subject will be posing. In case anyone is wondering this will be an experiment inspired by last nights Britains and Irelands Next Top Model. Hope it works!

 

[HoppyUK]

If you haven't bought the heads yet, some of them have a slave option that ignores pre-flash - Elinchrom for example. Not a big deal though, easily solved, but maybe a consideration.

Edit: which 10m cord did you get and does it work 100%?

 

[Ste Manns]

If you haven't bought the heads yet, some of them have a slave option that ignores pre-flash - Elinchrom for example. Not a big deal though, easily solved, but maybe a consideration.

Edit: which 10m cord did you get and does it work 100%?

I'm buying Lencarta, just need to get up of my **** and order them.

I got the same cord Syl Arena uses, it took a while but it was worth the wait. Works a treat and extremely well built. Even has the same weather sealing as the 580EX2. In case anyone is interested, their customer service was excellent, kept me informed throughout and I even got a personal email from Syl himself which was nice.