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06/16/2007 07:12:55 AM · #1 |
Ok, just got myself a 500 DG Super and I've finished reading the manual, but there is one thing that is very confusing to me.
I read that with one flash on the body, it can be used to trigger other flashes without firing... No problems. Sounds great...
then on the last page (if you have the manual, it's page 25), it starts talking about Slave Controller Mode. the thing that really twigged me though was that this mode cannot be used any faster than 1/30... This is not stated for the normal wireless flash...
Ok, So what's the difference between Slave Controller mode (page 25) and Wireless ETTL flash with one or more slave units with the Master set to flash off (page 21)???
What am I missing?
Thank you. |
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06/17/2007 11:54:40 AM · #2 |
Whew, hot topic... Need to start naming my posts 'Paris Hilton wants to know how to use her Sigma Wireless flash in prison'...
Any fotogs out there?
Question #2
Trying to figure out how to use the flash as a controller. Am successfully using the off-camera slave flash. No problems there. What is a bit of a problem though is trying to turn off the flash output of the on-camera flash. I've activated the noflash marker in the LCD, but it still fires. What the heck?
The on-camera is in C1 channel, with the off-camera in C1 SL mode. Ratios are all 1:1. Flash is signalling ready to go. No problems getting the off-camera flash to fire. Just *cannot* get the on-camera flash to not fire.
I am using directions in the manual from page 22 and 23, not P25. Do I need to use P25? I am hoping that I don't. 1/30 kinda sucks. |
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06/17/2007 01:11:55 PM · #3 |
I think page 25 is for non-ETTL cameras but I'm not sure, it's not very clear on what it's about. What exactly are you trying to do with the 2 (or more?) flashes? I take it that you aren't using the on board flash to trigger the Sigma. I'd just use page 23 with the ETTL instructions.
Edit to add: Is it actually firing for the exposure or just the ETTL preflash? It will flash for metering, but it shouldn't for the exposure.
Message edited by author 2007-06-17 13:14:13.
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06/17/2007 06:46:58 PM · #4 |
Reading through your profile gives me a little more insight into this situation. It says you have an "optical slave flash" unit which means it needs to see another flash in order to fire. This being the case, there is no way you can trigger that flash without your Sigma firing first. The "no master flash" function is only if you are using the wireless system designed for use with Sigma and Canon flashes. This system allows you to use the ETTL as it's intended but you HAVE to have either a Sigma or a Canon to do it.
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06/17/2007 10:14:14 PM · #5 |
Thanks for the response sam. And thanks for looking a bit deeper. I actually did forget to mention in the OP one very, very important bit of info.
A friend of mine who lives in the city doesn't like to do much reading, so asked my advice on flashes. I suggested that he get the Sigma and seeing as i was ready to do the same, I suggested that we go in together and buy 4 units, 2 each, to see if we could get better pricing. Then we could share and practice using them when we didn't have anything to shoot. Turns out that the store we go to that gives us the sweet pricing only had 3 units and he told us not to worry that we could get the price at any time. As cash is a bit scarce for me, I decided that one would be enough for now. And my friend is going to wait until his next paycheck anyhow. We purchased 2 units total.
Therefore, for my testing purposes, I use 2 Sigma 500 DG Supers. One of which is my own, one of which is borrowed. Both units are brand spanking new, so we haven't even marked which one is whose yet.
I will see what I can figure out. I actually thought of this last night, so I was trying to determine if it was flashing for exposure or flashing for the actual picture. Was doing it the stupid/wrong way though... heh... hence it was a bit difficult to tell at the time. Still learning about the interface... and couldn't turn out the lights to play with them at the time because there were other guests at his home. I will have another opportunity before long though.
I only use the optical slave flash for my S2 IS and as a background wall flash/backlight... and haven't actually used it for such yet...
EDIT: Having given a few more seconds thought, I realized that i can just hit the * button and the pre-flash should not be tied to the shutter actuation. So easy to test. So easy to forget when playing with the flashes for the first time. ***D'OH!***
Currently, both units are at his place so he can play with them. Built the first 'styrofoam soft box' last night and have materials for 3 more.
Message edited by author 2007-06-17 22:36:10. |
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