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60D and 580EX ii
Dec 18, 2011 09:53:01 #
If there is one disappointment with the Canon 60D and the 580 EX ii it is the way they fire with the speed light remote. Somehow, I was convinced that the camera would fire an infrared beam to focus and I could fire the speed light without the on camera flash, and the interal flash closed. Now it appears that the on camera flash does not actually fire but sends some test flashes that are still very annoying. My little sony W35 can be used in total darkness and it sends a red beam that illuminates the subject enough to enable framing but no blinding flash until the shot is actually taken. Seems like the cheap P&S does a better job handling flash use. Please show us where I am wrong, what I am overlooking, as $500 for a flash unit should do better.
Dec 18, 2011 11:13:14 #
Dec 18, 2011 20:50:24 #
Due to traveling in Vietnam, calling Canon is not a good option besides knowing I would most likely get double talk and no real answer. I am trying to learn from all my -learned- new friends on this forum whom I trust to trust and have the experience to go with it.
Thanks for the number though..........
Thanks for the number though..........
larrycumba wrote:
I don't think it will fire without the on camera flash. Canon support: 800-65226666
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Dec 19, 2011 07:09:32 #
I started playing with this capability the other night-- my 60D only sends 1 little blast of light to trigger the speedlight-not multiple flashes.---it has to send something to trigger the speedlight--other wise use a radio trigger.
in the menu where you choose the off camera flash make sure you choose the one that doesn't show the pop-up flash- 2nd option.
YOU "little Sony" is it triggering an off camera flash or using it's on board flash? I have a sony that does that but the pics are the on-board flash and they are blah.
in the menu where you choose the off camera flash make sure you choose the one that doesn't show the pop-up flash- 2nd option.
YOU "little Sony" is it triggering an off camera flash or using it's on board flash? I have a sony that does that but the pics are the on-board flash and they are blah.
Dec 19, 2011 09:51:18 #
avendano27
Loc: Pleasanton, California
Jackinthebox wrote:
If there is one disappointment with the Canon 60D ... (show quote)
You might find an answer from this site:
http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/
Dec 19, 2011 09:59:48 #
You can eliminate using the built-in flash to trigger your external 580 EX II by either using a long off-camera flash cord or radio triggers such as Pocket Wizard Flex and Mini.
Dec 19, 2011 10:32:09 #
I am attaching 4 pictures.
I am not at all saying that a little sony P&S is better than the Canon 60D, but the canon flash is terrible in many situations like being in a vertually dark place. The speed light 580 etc. is lacking in needed functions. I will buy another P&S as they seem to make more advances than the Canon DSLRs.
The 100x80 was taken with the little sony and printed as a 100cm x 80 cm poster hanging on the wall.
Now the real question, are Nikon flash units any better than Canon speed lights?
Hats of to all professionals who master this stuff so easily.
I am not at all saying that a little sony P&S is better than the Canon 60D, but the canon flash is terrible in many situations like being in a vertually dark place. The speed light 580 etc. is lacking in needed functions. I will buy another P&S as they seem to make more advances than the Canon DSLRs.
The 100x80 was taken with the little sony and printed as a 100cm x 80 cm poster hanging on the wall.
Now the real question, are Nikon flash units any better than Canon speed lights?
Hats of to all professionals who master this stuff so easily.
Dria wrote:
I started playing with this capability the other n... (show quote)
Taken in the dark and raining, sony w35
taken in the dark, sony easy to frame
taken in the dark, canon difficult to frame
100x80 cm Please do not copy or alter this one. Sapa girl standing on the edge of the road.
Dec 19, 2011 10:39:45 #
I do not like cords of any kind, certainly not long ones but I like to hear more about the Pocket Wizard Flex and Mini.
Merle wrote:
You can eliminate using the built-in flash to trigger your external 580 EX II by either using a long off-camera flash cord or radio triggers such as Pocket Wizard Flex and Mini.
Dec 19, 2011 13:07:46 #
avendano27
Loc: Pleasanton, California
Jackinthebox wrote:
I am attaching 4 pictures. br I am not at all s... (show quote)
It is not fair to judge the Canon 580EX II if someone is not familiar with it. Of course you will get acceptable "average" photos from Sony P&S. The 580EX II is in a different league of flash unit. I must admit, it is more complicated than the P&S flash. You really need to learn how to use it in order to get "above average" results. I have both Canon 580EX II and the Sony P&S. I use two 580EX II for specialized shooting like "studio type" portrait and "studio type" still life. I use the Sony P&S for everyday people snap shots.
This website has frequently asked questions about Canon Speedlites:
http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/
Dec 19, 2011 18:21:13 #
avendano27, I value your input, you said it right and you are factually correct. My beef is with Canon for skirting on false information. The 580 does not fire remote without the onboard flash. It is fair to judge the Canon 580EX II after spending near $500 on it and reading all the literature and testing it for many hours. It is near useless in dark situations and I was lucky to have a little sony P&S in a very remote location in Vietnam at a night event that is held only once a year.
I hope I am wrong but now it starts to look like that Canon looks for cheap and nasty solutions v/s the use of technology to accomplish the task. i.e to fire a $500 remote flash they use the pop up that one wants to eliminate to begin with. Is the purpose here to sell gadgets or is the purpose to make better photos? Canon would do well to study how Sony does the flash.
I would find it hard to sell all my Canon stuff just because of this, but an upgrade to FF is in the future. That will mean selling the Canon 60D and EF-S lenses etc. and it could be a time to seriously consider moving to Nikon, or other, equipment. I wonder how those items are handled on similar Nikon gear? DOES Nikon twist the facts, approaching lies, as Canon does?
It is very difficult to get the needed info before buying that is why a service like UHH is invaluable.
There are many new solutions, like mirror less on the horizon.
I hope I am wrong but now it starts to look like that Canon looks for cheap and nasty solutions v/s the use of technology to accomplish the task. i.e to fire a $500 remote flash they use the pop up that one wants to eliminate to begin with. Is the purpose here to sell gadgets or is the purpose to make better photos? Canon would do well to study how Sony does the flash.
I would find it hard to sell all my Canon stuff just because of this, but an upgrade to FF is in the future. That will mean selling the Canon 60D and EF-S lenses etc. and it could be a time to seriously consider moving to Nikon, or other, equipment. I wonder how those items are handled on similar Nikon gear? DOES Nikon twist the facts, approaching lies, as Canon does?
It is very difficult to get the needed info before buying that is why a service like UHH is invaluable.
There are many new solutions, like mirror less on the horizon.
Dec 19, 2011 21:19:53 #
avendano27
Loc: Pleasanton, California
Jackinthebox wrote:
avendano27, I value your input, you said it right... (show quote)
I don't work with Canon and I am not promoting Canon products. Thousands if not millions of professionals including weddings, events and sports photographers use Canon DSLR and Speedlite 580EX II all over world.
I was in your situation when I first got my 580EX II and I almost sold it on Ebay because I was not getting the right exposure most of the time. But When I read this website: http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/
I realized I was doing something wrong. Now I'm very happy with my 580EX II in combination with my full frame Canon 5D Mark II. I do mostly weddings and event photography and occasionally table top still life.
I used to use Mamiya medium format camera with Metz flash unit and professional 120/220 films. This setup is much simpler than the digital DSLR in terms of flash photography. I mentioned this because when I moved to digital DSLR and 580EX II, I was applying my familiarity with Metz flash to the 580EX II which I realized was my mistake.
My intention for responding to your post is just to help and nothing else. Hope you were not offended by my remarks on my previous post.
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Dec 19, 2011 22:07:09 #
Well, the Nikon flash system IS superior to any other system and that is the opinion of lots of Canon professionals and independent tests. Not a reason to switch systems. Although when out with my Canon friends, I do see a lot of frustration when dealing with the flash system.
However, I would bet there is just something you have set incorrectly or have misunderstood. With the Nikon flashes - and I would bet it is the same with Canon - you can use the pop-up to fire the remote, BUT you can set the pop-up to ONLY signal the remote, but not contribute to the actual exposure. You cannot determine this by eye - the sequence is so fast.
There is also a transmitter you can use - ST-E2.
Check this out: http://super.nova.org/DPR/Canon/
I will say that these sophisticated flash systems are not just put-em-on-and-shoot. We have to read the manual and set them up properly. THEN they can be marvelous.
However, I would bet there is just something you have set incorrectly or have misunderstood. With the Nikon flashes - and I would bet it is the same with Canon - you can use the pop-up to fire the remote, BUT you can set the pop-up to ONLY signal the remote, but not contribute to the actual exposure. You cannot determine this by eye - the sequence is so fast.
There is also a transmitter you can use - ST-E2.
Check this out: http://super.nova.org/DPR/Canon/
I will say that these sophisticated flash systems are not just put-em-on-and-shoot. We have to read the manual and set them up properly. THEN they can be marvelous.
Dec 19, 2011 22:07:16 #
Canon would do well to study how Sony does the flash and you would do well not to take it so personal. I am well aware that many use the canon flash as it is the best they have. I am one of the many. :lol:
Dec 19, 2011 22:53:54 #
Sure, the shortcomings of the Canon 580, blinding the subject to signal the slave unit, are not sufficient reason to switch entire systems as I have stated before. However, there will come a time when an upgrade to FF is in the cards and the shortcomings of the 580 will become an item. Sorry if it upsets some people to point out that the prince has some warts. I love my Canon outfit and look forward to see them make them even better.
Dec 19, 2011 23:27:25 #
Oh, BTW the H'Mong girl at the edge of the road near Sapa was taken with a Sony DSC-W35, no flash used. However I did often turn the flash on as it does adjust the WB to give enhanced color. I love my Canon 60D outfit and will expand it but pray that Canon learns how to build better flash transmissions.
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