Can I trigger Studio flashes with a 580exII?

It won't using it's inbuilt master mode, but if your studio heads have built in slave cells (most do these days) it should!
 
I used to trigger a set of portaflash ones (can't remember for sure) with my 430EX, but on-camera flash was no good. It worked a treat at 1/250s. As long as the lights have a sensor it is fine.
 
Yes, as others have said. But the 580 must be set to manual, which switches off the pre-flash.

The pre-flash fires in other modes (as well as the main flash) and that will fire the studio unit before the shutter actually opens. It looks like everything is working normally, but it isn't - causes no end of confusion.
 
Surely the problem with this is that you HAVE to have the hot shoe mounted flash lighting the subject and not just triggering the slaves? or does it work if you point it backwards?
 
jontucker said:
Surely the problem with this is that you HAVE to have the hot shoe mounted flash lighting the subject and not just triggering the slaves? or does it work if you point it backwards?
Click to expand...

You can point it anywhere, so long as there is enough light getting through to the slave - bounce it off the ceiling/wall, turn the power down, cover it with an IR filter, if you don't want it to influence the picture.

I use two 580 guns to light a white background as part of a studio set up. They are triggered by radio and the light off the background is plenty to fire the studio heads.

I also use a custom IR trigger now and then, it it's easier. Like this Elinchrom for £55, but I've seen it unbranded/identical on ebay for half that price http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-elinchrom-prolinca-i-r-transmitter/p1004773
 
Thanks for that guys

My 1d has no built in flash so I have to use the 580ex.

The studio flashes can be triggered with the d300 on board flash in master mode. I thought the 580ex had master mode as well so it doesn't preflash??

sid
 
sidxms said:
Thanks for that guys

My 1d has no built in flash so I have to use the 580ex.

The studio flashes can be triggered with the d300 on board flash in master mode. I thought the 580ex had master mode as well so it doesn't preflash??

sid
Click to expand...

580 in master mode fires a pre-flash. That's the one that transmits all the exposure and firing data.

Switch it to Manual and there is no pre-flash.
 
I can confirm my 430 ex fires Bowens Esprit and Interfit Stellar units if that helps (when set on manual and pointed up/backwards in the studio) :)
 
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