Speedlight control off camera

[UKBorgs]

You will be pleased to know that my outdoor shoot went well and I got some great pictures.However, I did run into an issue with my 580 EXII Speedlight and utilising it off camera. I only have the one but found I could not control it via my 600D; I had to keep running back etc.

Do I need a second flash to place on my camera hot shoe to make it work properly or should I just use wireless triggers and meter the light myself?
Can anyone point me in a direction of a useful idiots guide on how to get it working properly?

Questions questions.

 

[treeman]

Personally I'd always use manual settings but you can still control that from your camera if you wish. I've no idea about Canon gear and using their own controls, but you can get wireless triggers that allow you to use TTL if you want or full manual control, Here

 

[HoppyUK]

You will be pleased to know that my outdoor shoot went well and I got some great pictures.However, I did run into an issue with my 580 EXII Speedlight and utilising it off camera. I only have the one but found I could not control it via my 600D; I had to keep running back etc.

Do I need a second flash to place on my camera hot shoe to make it work properly or should I just use wireless triggers and meter the light myself?
Can anyone point me in a direction of a useful idiots guide on how to get it working properly?

Questions questions.

It sounds like maybe your 580 wasn't picking up signals from the 600D's master, either because it was out of range, or the sensor was pointing the wrong way, or because the ambient light was too high.

Try replicating the set up indoors, and if you can make it work, the problem is around that issue.

There are various ways of fixing it, but probably the easiest shortcut is to go manual with a radio trigger, eg Yongnuo RF-602 for £40 a set on Amazon.