Godox wireless receiver wont connect to transmitter

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McNyat

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I am trying to connect my Canon 580ex flash via wireless transmitter/receiver (by Godox). the flash is well secured into the receiver and the test flash works ok when pressing the button on the receiver. The channels and group both match ok but when pressing the test button on the transmitter, nothing works. Can anyone help please?
 
Make sure the camera’s flash firing is enabled in the menu (look under Flash control or External Speedlite control). For the Canon 580EX, ensure it’s not in Master or Slave mode, and is set to Manual or E-TTL. Even if the test button on the receiver works, mismatched settings can prevent the trigger from firing the flash via the transmitter. Double-check and clean hot shoe contacts just in case.
 
I’m guessing you’ve set the flash on slave mode.

It’s a common error as it feels like the obvious thing to do, as above just leave it in ettl mode (even if you set the transmitter to M on that group, again counter intuitive)
 
Thanks folks, I've tried all of the above and still no joy. I also have a godox flass that is working ok, so the transmitter is working OK (I'm looking to use the Canon one as a second light source). Any more suggestions???
 
I don't know what you using but on my Panasonic G9ii the flash won't work with the electronic shutter. I have to go onto manual shutter to fire the flashgun.
check group- channel- set as slave if using as remote or master direct on camera
make sure the receiver is the right one for the flash gun. Below shows N for nikonP1013497. smallJPG.JPG
 
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Another thing I can think of is to check the channel & wireless ID. (this is something in addition to channel selection in order to avoid interference)
The transmitter may be set on one id and the receiver on a diferent one (despite being on the same channel if ID is not the same it won't work).
Another scenario would be if the receiver is not 'clever' enough to have the ID function then this would need to be turned OFF on the transmitter.
 
Thanks folks, I will certainly look into this tomorrow
 
i
McNyat said:
Thanks folks, I've tried all of the above and still no joy. I also have a godox flass that is working ok, so the transmitter is working OK (I'm looking to use the Canon one as a second light source). Any more suggestions???
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Is the receiver too close to the transmitter? IIRC some Godox triggers/receivers have a minimum distance of about 30cm. Closer than that, they don't work. I've been caught by that in the past.
 
I have the GODOX V860iii marked O for my setup and well worth getting

I suppose if you using a canon flashgun as remote the receiver should be marked with C ?
 
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What happens when you press the test button on the transmitter?
 
Hi Everyone, Ive been so busy with work, I am only getting a chance to look back at this now. I have tried all of the above, but still no joy. I also have a Godox v1c flash that works perfectly (both on and off camera).
In answer to one query, when I press the test button on the transmitter, nothing happens with the canon flash, but the godox fires. Also, when I mount the canon flash on the camera, I works ok.
In answer to another query, all godox items are marked with the 'c' for canon.
Ive looked into the 'external speedlite control' section in the menu and tred a few different settings as well.
Im really at a loss here and not sure what Im doing wrong??? :-(
 
Just to pull together what we know.

Canon 580EX on camera works OK
Godox V1-C on camera works OK
Canon 580Ex on receiver (X1R-C ?) fires when receiver test button pressed
Godox transmitter causes Godox V1-c to fire with Test button on transmitter
Godox transmitter does NOT cause Canon 580EX on receiver to fire.
Godox transmitter on camera remotely fires Godox V1-C with camera operation.
Godox transmitter on camera doe NOT remotely fire Canon 580EX on receiver.

According to the manual of the X1R, when you press the test button on the Transmitter, you should see BOTH status LEDs (Transmitter and Receiver) flash briefly - could you check if this is happening?
If NOT then the transmitter and receiver aren't communicating - and that's what you need to fix.
If they are then it's probably a problem with the settings on the flash (the manual suggests you should put the speedlight in M mode, not sure why it has that as I thought TTL was supported, but it's a simpler mode so probably easiest to get working as a starting point)
In case you don't have a copy this is the pdf of the manual https://www.godox.com/static/upload/file/20230227/1677493794971383.pdf
 
There’s a thread on dp review where Godox have replied to someone else that the X1C firmware isn’t compatible for the original 580ex.
 
Update. After alot of frustration and head scratching, I tried the ultimate old school fix..... Not switching off and on again, but resetting the transmitter and receiver.... and low and behold it worked. I did then have a problem when I was unable to control the flash power to the canon flash. But I do see now from Mozthecats post that there are compatibility issues. Think I might just splash out on another Godox. Is it possible to transmit and control the second one if the first one is mounted to the camera?
 
McNyat said:
Update. After alot of frustration and head scratching, I tried the ultimate old school fix..... Not switching off and on again, but resetting the transmitter and receiver.... and low and behold it worked. I did then have a problem when I was unable to control the flash power to the canon flash. But I do see now from Mozthecats post that there are compatibility issues. Think I might just splash out on another Godox. Is it possible to transmit and control the second one if the first one is mounted to the camera?
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It should work, despite the scant instructions

Ensure transmitter and receiver channels match and set using group 2,

Canon flash On, ETTL and not set to master or slave mode, standard green as if it was on the camera.

Then whether the transmitter mode is set to ettl or m, as you change settings you should see the changes in the flash after a half press of the shutter.
 
McNyat said:
Update. After alot of frustration and head scratching, I tried the ultimate old school fix..... Not switching off and on again, but resetting the transmitter and receiver.... and low and behold it worked. I did then have a problem when I was unable to control the flash power to the canon flash. But I do see now from Mozthecats post that there are compatibility issues. Think I might just splash out on another Godox. Is it possible to transmit and control the second one if the first one is mounted to the camera?
Click to expand...
Yes, you can set an on-camera Godox flash to act as a tranmitter to also fire off- camera units.
 
Faldrax said:
Yes, you can set an on-camera Godox flash to act as a tranmitter to also fire off- camera units.
Click to expand...
PS, in this setup, the on-camera master is fixed to be group A, another thing that has caught me out before.
 
Can't get the canon speedlite to change settings using only the transmitter at all. Was actually considering just buying another Godox so all is perfectly compatible. Would you recommended ginger for a larger more powerful flash?
 
the Godox V860iii flashgun is what you may be interested in. I have it and no more worries it has a huge slide in battery as well .P1070139.jpg
 
McNyat said:
Can't get the canon speedlite to change settings using only the transmitter at all. Was actually considering just buying another Godox so all is perfectly compatible. Would you recommended ginger for a larger more powerful flash?
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You could try to put the Godox flash on camera, and use that as the transmitter.
But I think the receiver is the problem here.

Yes I would recommend another Godox speedlight though. If you sell the Canon flash it won’t be much of a cost, unless you want one with a lithium battery, they’re a bit more money
 
Thanks... Is the V860 more powerful than my current flash? Ive looked at the AD200 - how would that compare? Good suggestion to sell the Canon flash as I dont think I wil use it again.
 
McNyat said:
Thanks... Is the V860 more powerful than my current flash? Ive looked at the AD200 - how would that compare? Good suggestion to sell the Canon flash as I dont think I wil use it again.
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The AD 200 is more peowerfull, but not suited for on camera, as well as the V 860, check out the more powerfull V100
 
McNyat said:
Thanks, it would be off camera. Reading various reviews and would seem to be a decent flash?
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It's very popular. Just to clarify, it can sort of be used on camera, it can be fitted to a cage, or theres an extension head on a cable for it (the battery goes in your pocket or whatever) The problem is I'm led to believe the extension head doesn t work with the latest model.
If your using it off camera you should be very happy with the extra power.
 
McNyat said:
Thanks, it would be off camera. Reading various reviews and would seem to be a decent flash?
Click to expand...
If you absolutely only need it for off camera, I’d pick the AD200 over any speedlight. The bare bulb fills any modifier better than an speedlight with reflector and lens built in.
 
Thanks, sounds good. Just to double check... if I have the godox v1c mounted on the camera, could I control and adjust the ad200s power from the v1c without having to physically go to it the ad200?
 
Wondering now about a good softbox. Any suggestions? Nothing too crazy... simple and good value for money...
 
Godox makes pretty good soft boxes. Now you need to decide on the size and shape. This will depend on what you plan to shoot and you haven't told us this. My best suggestion is to start with umbrellas. White is translucent so you shoot the light from the flash through it. The center point of the umbrella is then pointed at the subject. There are also black umbrellas with silver, gold, or white liners. With these, you use them the opposite way, so the light reflects off the inside of the umbrella toward the subject. Your color choice of umbrella liner will affect the appearance of the subject. I typically use silver or just the white translucent. Umbrellas are relatively cheap and do a great job. As a beginner, just get the white translucent in about a 3' diameter. It will be the best place to start. There are Godox speedlite mounts that have a hole for attaching the shaft of the umbrella. that fit the top of light stands and they have a cold shoe on their top for you to add your speedlite. Being a cold shoe you will need to trigger the speedlite via a wireless transmitter that's attached to the hot shoe on your camera.

Learning what lighting to use and how to use it will be your next big learning experience. It's pretty easy to learn how to take pictures with a camera. Your next big step is learning good lighting, and even though I started taking pictures in 1952, and I'm still learning new ways to light my subjects, though much better now.

Start with just one translucent white umbrella and speedlite off camera, then when you see how well it works for you, add a second speedlite and translucent umbrella. Save buying expensive lights and soft boxes until you have considerable experience with this way of lighting of your subjects. Only buy when you fully understand what this new purchase will do for you. Do a Google search for "The Strobist". It's an older, but FREE, class in flash lighting for photography.
Save your money until you know more about lighting for photography before buying things that you don't need. Every manufacturer is saying that theirs is best, but in reality theirs isn't much different than what the rest offer. I switch to Godox/Flashpoint for my lighting about five years ago when I was becoming frustrated with my high dollar flashes, and I haven't looked back. The Godox "X" band flash transmitters and receivers have proven to be very reliable for me. Flashpoint is a rebrand of Godox that is sold by Adorama in NY. You can buy either from Amazon. Adorama services their Flashpoint brand, so it's a better/safer deal. There are a few relatively new service facilities in the US for some of the Godox products, but I have no experience with them. In five years of using both Godox and Flashpoint products I have not needed service for anything, and both my field kit lights and my photo/video studio are now full of their products.

Charley
 
McNyat said:
Any suggestions folks?
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@CharleyL has some good suggestions.

If you already know the type of images you want to create you will get some more specific ideas. Personally, my journey for portrait photos has been small umbrella > small softbox > big softboxes of different shapes > parabolic reflector over the course of quite a few years to get a look that I love. Plus a bunch of other reflectors, snoots, flash projector kits for other effects.... another slippery slope :)
 
@CharleyL has made some very valid points, and especially about the need to understand the principles of lighting.

But, although umbrellas can be a very useful lighting tool, they can be a very blunt one too; the shoot through umbrellas spread light everywhere, creating (often) unwanted light spill just about everywhere, and the smaller the shooting space, the lower the ceiling and the lighter the walls and ceiling are, the blunter that tool becomes.

The reflective umbrellas he mentioned don't spill as much light, but because they are reflective and so have to face away from the subject, they can't be placed close and therefore cannot, if required, produce a really soft light.

Softboxes combine the benefits of both shoot-through and reflective umbrellas, with none of their downsides. Godox don't make the worst softboxes, but they're average at best.

I can't recomment any specific makes, but make sure that you get one that has two diffusers, make sure that the inner diffuser sits well back from the outer diffuser, and that it's very nearly touching the inner walls of the softbox, make sure that the front diffuser is deeply recessed, make sure that the seller also sells replacement diffusers, because they all yellow over time and need to be replaced and - although more difficult when buying online than when physically viewing them, make sure that the diffusers are sturdy, thick and so actually do their job.
 
I don’t know about ‘best’ but the Lencarta collapsible beauty dish is the most versatile modifier I own.

For all it does I’d say it’s great vfm. Even if it’s not cheap
 
Phil V said:
I don’t know about ‘best’ but the Lencarta collapsible beauty dish is the most versatile modifier I own.

For all it does I’d say it’s great vfm. Even if it’s not cheap
Click to expand...
Modesty stops me from mentioning that I designed it, and my role as moderator stops me from recommending Lencarta:)
 
One additional point worth noting with softboxes is that there are a few different ways they get assembled/disassembled.
The 'traditional' style involves rods which you individually bend into place to create the shape - these are fine if you want to assemble then leave up, but are horrible if you want to repeatedly assemble / disassemble them (if you don't have a permanent studio space).
There are then the 'umbrella' style, which have a mechanism similar to that of an umbrella to set up and collapse - much easier and just as good as the traditional type once open.
There is also a new style I've seen advertised, but not tried, which has a folding mechanism - these look to be reasonable and much easier than the traditional style.
 
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