topic Re: Using ring flash with Rebel xsi in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS Rebel XSi not triggering ring flash

inventorgeorge — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 14:16:16 GMT

I am doing some very closeup work with my Rebel xsi. Due to lens shadowing, I need to use a ring flash, connected through the hot shoe. The camera works 100%, as does the ring flash. however, no matter how I set the camera, the flash is not triggered. Using menu, and going to flash control, all items there give me an error message saying that the flash is not compatible.

Is there any way to force the camera to trigger a non-Canon, not "compatible" ring flash unit?

Re: Using ring flash with Rebel xsi

deebatman316 — Sun, 14 Jan 2024 21:48:06 GMT

Is this ring lite macro flash a manual flash or a flash that supports E-TTL (auto flash). Also what brand of macro flash. Canon IS NOT responsible for making 3rd Party items work with its own cameras.

Re: Using ring flash with Rebel xsi

inventorgeorge — Sun, 14 Jan 2024 22:01:37 GMT

The flash is a Ploture Ring flash. I got it from Amazon. The manual [if it can even be called that] says nothing about triggering. I am not looking for Canon to do anything for me in this matter, I am only hoping someone who knows a lot more about this than I do will have some ideas.

Re: Using ring flash with Rebel xsi

deebatman316 — Sun, 14 Jan 2024 22:05:13 GMT

What is the model number of that particular macro flash unit. It could simply be incompatible. Also non-Canon flash units won't fire in live view. So disable silent shooting in live view.

Re: Using ring flash with Rebel xsi

MikeSowsun — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 05:05:35 GMT

Third party non-ETTL flash units are not compatible with Canon’s in-camera Flash Menu system. Additionally, Rebel series DSLR cameras can not fire non-ETTL flash units while using LiveView.

As long as you use the hot shoe to trigger the flash, and you DON’T use LiveView, your Ring Flash should work with your Rebel XSi.

EDIT: I just looked up “Ploture Ring Flash”. It is not a real Ring Flash. It appears to be just a bunch of LED lights shaped in a circle. It has a very low light output, and many reviews say it is difficult to make work. I would advise you to return it, or at least read all the negative reviews to see if you can better understand it’s limitations. (many reviewers say you need to use 1/30 or 1/60 shutter speed to get the “flash” to sync with the photo)

Re: Using ring flash with Rebel xsi

normadel — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 04:04:23 GMT

" It is not a real Ring Flash. It appears to be just a bunch of LED lights shaped in a circle."

So you're saying it is NOT a flash at all?

I do believe a bunch of LEDs arranged in a circle is the description of a ring flash. Unless they are constant-on lights rather than "flash" lights. You really can't tell anything from the Amazon listing.

For $43.99 you do get what you pay for. Not much.

Re: Using ring flash with Rebel xsi

MikeSowsun — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 05:34:19 GMT

“I do believe a bunch of LEDs arranged in a circle is the description of a ring flash. Unless they are constant-on lights rather than "flash" lights. You really can't tell anything from the Amazon listing.”

A bunch of LED lights arranged in a circle is a description of a Ring Light, not a Ring Flash.

This unit has options to act as both a Constant light source, and a brief “flash” light source. LED bulbs can’t really “flash”. They act exactly the same way as the “flash” on your cell phone. They just illuminate briefly and they can’t freeze movement like a true flash. From the reviews I read online, the “flash” is the same intensity as the constant lighting. The reviews also said the “flash” was difficult to sync with the shutter speed. (many reviewers say you need to use 1/30 or 1/60 shutter speed to get the “flash” to sync with the photo) (the same “ring flash” is also sold under many other names so there are lots of reviews to look at) (Ploture, Polaroid, Neewer, MegaPower, etc.)

Re: Using ring flash with Rebel xsi

normadel — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 05:26:39 GMT

Well we can argue semantics until the cows come home, apparently.

Round macro flashes are called ring lights (see B&H site) and ring lights are called flashes. The ones that have a continuous mode as well as flash mode are called ring lights and ring flashes.

Re: Using ring flash with Rebel xsi

MikeSowsun — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 05:53:28 GMT

@normadel wrote:
Well we can argue semantics until the cows come home, apparently.
Round macro flashes are called ring lights (see B&H site) and ring lights are called flashes. The ones that have a continuous mode as well as flash mode are called ring lights and ring flashes.

The point I was trying to make is that LED bulbs can not flash, so it can’t be called a Ring Flash.
It has constant light LED bulbs with and option to make a brief 1/2 second illumination to imitate a flash.

Re: Using ring flash with Rebel xsi

inventorgeorge — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 06:02:36 GMT

Whatever you call it, the Ring thing I have, when I press the button that says "pilot" [I haven't the foggiest what they mean by pilot, but the Chinese are famous for mangling our language] I get a high intensity strobe light flash. I used a light sensor and an oscilloscope, and I measured the light output as lasting about 20 milliseconds. I call that a flash, not a light.

The unit I have does not have a continuous mode. The control unit is, of course mounted on the hot shoe. The bottom line, though, is that I cannot get it to strobe, light, flash or output light in any form.

Re: Using ring flash with Rebel xsi

inventorgeorge — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 06:09:44 GMT

BTW, LEDs CAN flash! I am an electronic engineer [with a 55 year background], and I use LEDs in many projects, including for short duration, ie flash, applications. LEDs can be turned on and off far faster than incandescent bulbs, making them actually far better for flash application than anything else.

I really could design and build my own strobe/flash system, BUT I would need to know something about the schematic of the Rebel to do that. I really do not want to reinvent the wheel, only get a ring flash that works with my camera.

Re: Using ring flash with Rebel xsi

rs-eos — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 10:50:28 GMT

Even if it is a light with a duration of 1/50 sec, that is too slow and would greatly restrict your ability to freeze action. You’d need to rely on your shutter speed to freeze action.

Some flash units, when at lower power output, can have durations of 1/50000 (one thousand times quicker) or even faster. Far exceeding shutter speeds.

In your case, you have an incompatible light. And one that most likely has a poor CRI rating. We know its fastest duration is very poor. And total output in terms of a guide number or watt second is probably also on the low end.

If you need to work with flash, pick up a Canon flash (they do make a proper ring light) or third party unit from companies that would have something compatible.

Re: Using ring flash with Rebel xsi

MikeSowsun — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 16:10:59 GMT

Is this the one you have? The description for this says it has a continuous, steady on mode.

Re: Using ring flash with Rebel xsi

normadel — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 18:51:48 GMT

The answer is plain and simple. Do you have the manual for the camera? If not, view/download it from Canon Support. On page 100, in the Live View section, it states that a non-Canon flash WILL NOT FIRE.

There's no way around this. On later cameras there is a function called "Silent Shooting" that if disabled will allow non-Canon flashes to fire. On cameras without Silent Shooting you CANNOT make the flash fire in Live View.

In viewfinder mode (not Live View), the flash should fire just fine.

Re: Using ring flash with Rebel xsi

kvbarkley — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 19:09:55 GMT

"making them actually far better for flash application than anything else."

Other than xenon flash tubes, of course, which are what are used in actual flash units. I suggest you do a little more market research.