topic Re: Using my speedlite in Speedlite Flashes

Using my speedlite

mjroberts — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 00:06:41 GMT

Hi,

I've just bought a Neewer TT560 speedlite and am using it with my canon 6D. I can't get t to work, and think I am missing something very basic to connect the camera funtioning to the external flash. The speedlite itself is working as it has a test function.

I have mounted the speedlite on my canon hotshoe as per the instructions. What next? Do I need another cable so that on pressing down the shutter the flash works?

On the camera menu, going to flash control - externa flash funtioning setting comes up with the message "incompatible flash or flash's power is turned off". I also have a Yongnuo speedlite and the same happens.

Re: Using my speedlite

TCampbell — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 05:45:02 GMT

You can't use the on-camera menu system to configure 3rd party flashes (that only works for Canon speedlites). But you can still use the flashes.

If the flash is fully seated in the hot-shoe (make sure you slide it all the way in) then it should trigger when you take a shot. It's a very simple circuit... on the bottom of the flash there's just a center pin and the plate... the plate itself is the "ground". literally if you took a paper clip and conducted it across the foot (metal plate) and center pin... the flash should fire. That's all there is to it (the camera just completes the circuit.)

The camera needs to have a shutter speed set to it's flash sync speed or slower. For the 6D (and this is from memory so don't quote me) I *think* that's 1/160th second.

If you are trying to use the flashes off-camera (not in the hot-shoe) then you need a trigger. There's nothing in the 6D that will cause an off-camera flash to fire.

Re: Using my speedlite

mjroberts — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 18:57:47 GMT

Thanks Tim. Well unless I'm being incredibly slow that's what I've been doing (connection to hotshoe) and its not firing. But my doubt is also this, if pressing the shutter should automatically fire the flash, if I was doing a shoot then wanted some images without flash, would my only option be turning off the speedlite? Is there not a camera funtion for choosing or not to fire with the speedlite? Any other reason why it wouldn't be firing? Both camera and speedlite are pretty new and contacts are not worn.

Re: Using my speedlite

Skirball — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 19:43:50 GMT

@mjroberts wrote:
Thanks Tim. Well unless I'm being incredibly slow that's what I've been doing (connection to hotshoe) and its not firing. But my doubt is also this, if pressing the shutter should automatically fire the flash, if I was doing a shoot then wanted some images without flash, would my only option be turning off the speedlite? Is there not a camera funtion for choosing or not to fire with the speedlite? Any other reason why it wouldn't be firing? Both camera and speedlite are pretty new and contacts are not worn.

I can't say I've ever tried to turn off the flash through the menu, but I could imagine there might be an option even with generic flashes. But even if so, it's going to be a lot quicker to either turn off the flash itself or pull the flash off.

I have no experience with Neewer, but my Yongnuo's work fine on the 6D. Although I rarely use them on-camera, I almost always use a trigger.

Only thing I can think of, are you by chance in live view? Generic flashes and triggers won't work in live view.

Re: Using my speedlite

mjroberts — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 16:25:35 GMT

Many thanks for your reply. Can you suggest a reliable trigger that is not too costly?

Re: Using my speedlite

Skirball — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 15:00:48 GMT

Yup, the Yongnuo RF-602 ($20 a set) or RF603 II ($30 a set). Highly recommended.

I've been using the 602 for years and I think it's a great trigger. I own a full set of Yongnuo RF-622 triggers, which are eTTL compatible, but I mostly use my 602s because I don't really use eTTL and I like how small and compact the 602s are.

I can't speak to the 603 II from personal experience, but it looks like they made some nice changes. Just make sure if you get the 603 that you don't get the old first version. If I was buying today I'm not sure which I would get - the 602s have a 1/4" thread on the bottom which allows them to screw directly into my light stands. It's a fantastic feature, I have no idea why they didn't do it to the 603s. This single feature is probably worth more to me than everything I mention below. Without that thread you have to use a cold shoe, which isn't near as robust as the thread.

Also, the 602 transmitter is tiny, which I like, but it has a couple of down sides:

It uses a special battery (CR2), which are expensive, harder to find, and I don't have a recharger for. They last forever (well over a year of frequent use), but still, it's nice that the 603 II uses all AAA batteries.
There are no locking mechanism on the feet. It's no problem on the receivers, since I use the 1/4" thread. But the little tiny transmiter does slip out on occasion. Tthe 603 II added a lock on the foot so it doesn't slip out.
There's no on/off switch on the transmitter. If you just toss the transmitter in your pack and something presses up against it, it will wear the battery out. I built a little case for it for storage.

And one more plus for 603 II. The off switch on the 602 receiver, and the original 603s, was poorly placed on the top so you couldn't reach it when a flash is mounted. They finally moved it to the side for the 603 II. That is actually a nice upgrade that I wish I had. The other differences above don't bother me much. Still, if I was to buy today, I'm unsure which I would get.

Edit: one more thing I forgot. The 603 II has a pass-through. So you can mount a tranceiver on your camera to send out the signal and you can still put a flash (or even another trigger) on top of it. It's not something I do regularly, but I have had need of this function and was unable to do it with my 602s.

Re: Using my speedlite

Okaurora — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 00:45:13 GMT

Hi everyone, reading through this thread since I am trying to use my speed light Neewer 561 flash with my Canon t5. I see that I can't adjust the flash from my Canon, which I am fine with adjusting on my flash. The only thing I haven't been able to learn to adjust is the front/rear curtain sync. Any help with that?
Thank you

Re: Using my speedlite

betwa2982 — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 15:17:25 GMT

Hello, I am also recently bought Neewer TT560 Flash Speedlite [Mod note: Removed link per FORUM GUIDELINES]. It has great features and great flashes. The main feature is that Gary Fong light sphere doesn’t peck fit on this flash tightly, but it stays well if you manage it or use it. If you have no idea about this camera how to use, then you can read its well-designed box. All the information and settings are given.
Flash buttons and switches also provide. You will see Charging port and PC sync, side of the camera flash.

Canon 80D Built-In Flash as Master and 580EX II and 430EXII as Slaves

Escalante101 — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 02:08:13 GMT

Here are a couple of questions arising from the Users Manuals associated with the above-referenced camera / flash gear. Thanks for your patience.

Speedlite 430EX II / 580EX II – Flash Exposure Compensation: “If the flash compensation has been set with both the camera and the Speedlite, the Speedlite Flash Exposure Compensation will override the camera’s.” Question: If the Speedlite Flash Exposure Compensation is set at “zero”, will the camera’s Flash Exposure Compensation work?

External Flash Function: From 580EX II User Manual (Page 40): “Flash Exposure Compensation and other settings set with the master unit will also be automatically set in the slave units. Thus, you need not operate the slave units.” Is the Pop-Up Flash on the Canon 80D considered a “master unit” for purposes of automatically transferring settings to 580EX II and 430EX II when used as slave units?

External Flash Function Setting Menu only appears when flash is attached to hot shoe (580EX II and 430EX II). On 430EX II there is no “Wireless Off / On” Option.

Is the "Optical Wireless" option as good as an ETTL cord connected between camera and flash?

I am sitting tight for Syl Arena’s third edition of the Speedliter’s Handbook, which is supposed to be published sometime in mid-2018. I watched the almost two-hour video on You Tube (sponsored by B&H Photo) and guess I was disappointed in that it seemed to be one huge ad for B&H Photo flash related gear. This video was made in 2012, so I am wondering if the supposed ETTL Cord is really needed with built-in wireless connectivity on the latest Canon camera models. Some of the gear he recommended is no longer made by the original manufacturer. Six years is a long time in technology time.

Re: Using my speedlite

hfonks23 — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 16:40:51 GMT

Hi! I have a Canon Rebel t7i and the Neewer tt560 speedlight and I believe I have all of my settings correctly and while the speedlight is mounted, it is firing but my photos are all black. I have the flash directed at the ceiling, shutter speed is set 1/60-1/200 I've both and all in between. Aperture set at 5.0 and ISO at 100. Flash fires but does nothing to my photo. What am I doing wrong??

Re: Using my speedlite

Escalante101 — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 17:07:05 GMT

I now use Flashpoint Speedlites. Gave my Canon Speedlite to a relative. Last night I was at a gathering, and I had the ISO set at 100, and the pictures were a little darker than I would like. I was shooting at 1/100 of a second shutter speed. I should have increased the ISO or opened the aperture. I did not want to slow the shutter speed because I did not want to blur things. The only way I learn about this is to "practice / experiment." I shoot with the camera in "Manual", but I also have the Speedlite set to "Manual" where I can control the flash power. I have the Speedlite zoom set on "Auto". Put your flash on your camera and take some pictures at home and see what happens. Also, check the "flash" settings on the T7i and make sure it is set for the proper flash setting. Maybe it should say "External Flash"? One thing I do is do an online search for the problem I am experiencing, and sometimes there is a good video tutorial that explains how things work. Sometimes I do not know what I would do without video tutorials. They have saved me many times.

I was recently in Wisconsin at my niece's wedding using flash at the hall where the reception was being held. That is a real flash challenge. Big room, people at the front of the picture. Sometimes images were too bright, other times way too dark. If I was shooting people at a distance, with the settings I was using there was a considerable light fall-off and things in the distance were way too dark. As I said, this is a matter of doing a whole lot of this kind of thing.

Nevertheless, the first step is to check your gear settings - both the camera and the flash. Is the flash tightly attached to the hot shoe? Do some online research. These Canon forums will not always provide the answer you are looking for.

Re: Using my speedlite

hfonks23 — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 17:16:47 GMT

Settings are set to external flash but while the speedlight is attached of I try to go to external flash settings it say that flash isn't supported or is turned off. Regardless, the flash is firing when i hit the shutter button so I'm confused. I will teach out to some other platforms for some help and hopefully I'll find a tutorial that will help with my specific issue. All tutorials I have found are helpful but not for what I'm having issues with. Thank you!!

Re: Using my speedlite

Waddizzle — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 17:49:54 GMT

@hfonks23 wrote:
Settings are set to external flash but while the speedlight is attached of I try to go to external flash settings it say that flash isn't supported or is turned off. Regardless, the flash is firing when i hit the shutter button so I'm confused. I will teach out to some other platforms for some help and hopefully I'll find a tutorial that will help with my specific issue. All tutorials I have found are helpful but not for what I'm having issues with. Thank you!!

If the camera does not recognize the flash, that is probably 99.99% of your problem. Turn off the camera and the flash. First power up the flash, wait for the flash it fully initialize, and then power up the camera second. Hopefully, the camera should recognize the flash during its' power up cycle.

Once the camera and strobe are aware of one another, hopefully the flash will fire when the camera fires the shutter.

I have found in Av mode, the flash want to behave as a fill flash. In M mode, the flash wants to behave like the only source of light, but depending on your exposure settings you can still get the fill flash behavior.

If you are having problems with a third party strobe, you really should seek help from the third party manufacturer. Canon is responsible for ensuring that third party gear works with Canon gear.

Re: Using my speedlite

Waddizzle — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 17:58:46 GMT

" I did not want to slow the shutter speed because I did not want to blur things."

That is not exactly how strobe flashes work. The camera settings capture the ambient light, which is mostly parts of the scene beyond the range of the strobe. While the strobe illuminate the highlights and subjects within its' range.

Strobes can fire at 1/400-1/800 of second, which can easily freeze most motion. You can freeze motion with a "slow shutter" when using a strobe. The quick burst of light effectively becomes a shutter itself. The 2nd curtain mode is typically used to do this.

Re: Using my speedlite

Escalante101 — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 18:02:53 GMT

Try setting the camera on "Manual". Turn the flash on first and make sure it is fired up. Try setting the flash on Manual Mode, if possible. Before turning on the camera, make sure it is in "Manual" mode. Then, turn on the camera. Then go to the Flash Menu on the camera and see if it has recognized the flash when you press the "set" button to set the external flash settings. I got this information from Digital Goja.

Re: Using my speedlite

Escalante101 — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 18:16:34 GMT

I checked another Digital Goja video. At the top of the Flash Menu, access "Flash Control". When it says "Flash Firing" press the "Set" Button. Make sure it says ENABLE. If you do not have that selected, the flash unit will not work with the camera. If you inadvertently "Disable" the Flash Firing for some reason, go back and reset it so that it is set to "Enable". I did a search using the title "Canon Camera Does Not Recognize External Speedlite" and that is where I found the video about this apparently very common question. Try that.