580 EX II PC terminal

[edfrometown]

Hi all,


I am considering purchasing a 580 EX II flash, but I've been reading some reviews and some people are complaining about the PC terminal on the 580 II being unusable. Is this true? Sorry, I haven't checked if this question has been answered in other posts as I'm new to the forums.


Also, does anyone know if the 7D can control the flash through the camera menus? And is not being able to turn off the master function a really big deal? I've never owned a flash that can act as a master (only have the 430) so I don't really have any experience with how-big-a-pain-this-really-is as some of the reviews I've read seem to imply.


Thanks,


Ed

[BryanKing]

some people are complaining about the PC terminal on the 580 II being unusable. Is this true?

I'm not sure what the rumor is, but jut to be clear, ETTL is not useable via PC Sync. As I understand it, PC cords only carry a simple "fire" signal, and don't provide for two-way communication between the flash and camera, which would be required for more advanced operation.


Having just purchased a 580 EXII a few weeks ago, I was disappointed though to discover that it won't fire via PC Sync when set to both "Manual" and "Master" mode. I intended to have a simple studio setup with the 580 EXII connected to my 50D with the sync cord, which would then fire my 430 EX using the infrared signal. I checked on the Strobist discussion forum on Flicr, and was told that the 580 EXII will fire in Master and Manual mode if I use a hot shoe adapter instead. I have yet to confirm, as I am waiting for additional equipment to arrive.


Just to be clear, I have been using the 580 EXII with the PC Sync just fine in Manual mode, without setting it as a master to fire my other flash. This works like a charm, but if that was all I was going to use my 580 for, I would have bought a much less expensive flash.

[Aaron K]

I've had no problems using my 580EX II through a PC sync cord with my 5DII in manual mode. Seems to work fine for me. I haven't tried using it as a master flash with that connection, though...

[BryanKing]

FYI, here is the link to the Flickr discussion thread that I referenced regarding the 580EXII not firing via PC Sync when set to "Manual" and "Master".


I would love to hear an explanation from someone with regard to why Canon wouldn't allow it to work in this mode.


http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/discuss/72157623540331756/

[edfrometown]

Thanks for the link Bryan. I basically know very little about the control of the flash, so that's why I asked the question. I guess I'll have to do some more reading.