580ex sleeping question

DougAxford · #1 11-09-2008, 02:50 PM

I've got a 580ex that I want to hook up with a wireless slave on a stand and use on manual 1/4 power for hockey T&I on-ice shots. Problem is that the Canon 580ex goes to sleep after a few minutes of inactivity and the wireless signal doesn't wake it up. It works perfectly as long as I keep shooting but there are times when it may be 5 minutes between players.

Is there anything on the 580ex that anyone knows about to force it to stay awake??? Stupid design and I'm not interested in buying a new flash just for this job.

BTW, my Nikon does not have this problem at all. I've got an old Vivitar 285 that I tried, but it is a lot tougher on batteries than the Canon and not nearly as reliable (at least it doesn't fall asleep). After a few hours and hundreds of shots, battery power is important.

Doug_Kerr · #2 11-09-2008, 04:36 PM

Hi, Doug,

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougAxford

I've got a 580ex that I want to hook up with a wireless slave on a stand and use on manual 1/4 power for hockey T&I on-ice shots. Problem is that the Canon 580ex goes to sleep after a few minutes of inactivity and the wireless signal doesn't wake it up. It works perfectly as long as I keep shooting but there are times when it may be 5 minutes between players.

We rarely respond to inquiries about stupid equipment, but . . .

With the 580EX in the slave mode (that is, under the Canon wireless flash system), the automatic power off will (by default, I believe) occur after 60 minutes of inactivity. That can be changed to 10 minutes with flash C Fn 04=1.

There is some provision for cancellation of the slave automatic power off from the master, but I admit I don't know what that means at this point.

If by any chance you are not referring to operation under the Canon wireless flash system, but rather slave operation using an optical trigger (connected to the 580EX by some sort of hot shoe adapter), then you are probably stuck with the normal power off time delay (90 sec), which is in fact not changeable. (From your observation about the Vivitar 285V, I suspect that may be the case. But you didn't say.)

Canon indeed with the 580EX does not contemplate using it with a "commercial" optical trigger, over a PC cord, and the like. (On the 580EX II, the automatic power off function in the "local" mode can be turned off with a CF.)

DougAxford · #3 11-09-2008, 05:14 PM

You are right, I am not using it in slave mode and not in Canon wireless.

I think the answer is that I'm stuck with the normal power off in 90 sec. I thought it was about that time because it was much shorter than 5 min. So, what I'll have to do is use the Vivitar or buy another Nikon flash if I feel rich. Anyone know if the new Canon 580exII or new Nikons have the same drawback?

It still seems like a very stupid design. And to answer those that want me to use the Canon wireless system - too bad. I've tried it time and again and it simply is not reliable enough for what I need.

Canon cameras with Nikon flashes - gotta wonder.

KevinStecyk · #4 11-09-2008, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougAxford

Anyone know if the new Canon 580exII or new Nikons have the same drawback?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug_Kerr

(On the 580EX II, the automatic power off function in the "local" mode can be turned off with a CF.)

I have 580EX IIs, and have used the CF switch to disable the automatic power off when using my Pocket Wizards.

EOS Documentation Project - Speedlite 580EX II PDF*

See page 27, it is C.Fn-01.