topic Re: triple head mount with 580exii issue in Speedlite Flashes

triple head mount with 580exii issue

rdavison — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 17:35:04 GMT

I have two 580 EX 2 flash and 2 Vivatar 285hv's. I am using a triple head mount for 3 of the flashes and 1 flash as a rim light.

If I use a 580 only on the triple head as a master and the other 580 as the rim as a slave they both fire.

If I use 2 580's on the triple head (master and slave) with a Vivitar as the rim with an optic slave trigger all 3 flash.

BUT, no combination allows all 4 to flash.

As soon as I put 2 Vivitars' and a 580 master on the triple head holder the slave won't fire? If I put a master and slave and a Vivitar on the triple mount the slave 580 quits firing. I can use 2 580's (slave and master) on the triple mount and then a Vivitar as rim and it works. There is no connection electronically between all of these. Just the light of the flash firing. Any ideas?

Re: triple head mount with 580exii issue

RobertTheFat — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 13:06:26 GMT

It must be some sort of timing issue. There are pre-flashes involved, aren't there? Maybe some particular sequences cause the flashes that haven't fired to get confused.

Re: triple head mount with 580exii issue

rdavison — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 15:28:00 GMT

Not sure about "pre-flash" but perhaps post flash. It receives the signal from the master 580 which triggers others and the sequence confuses the other 580 no matter where it is in the order. A lot of money to pay for a flash with such a shortcoming, wouldn't you agree?

I appreciate your input. Looks like I must live with this or try an optic slave on the 2nd 580. Maybe that $8 technology is superior to that in a $600 flash?