topic Re: External flash in Speedlite Flashes

External flash

nav16 — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 03:46:43 GMT

I have a Canon EOS 80D. I also have two flashes (4300EX 3-RT) and (270EX 2). Does anyone know if there was a way I can get the two flashes to go off while I take a picture and the flash on camera would stay off.

Re: External flash

MikeSowsun — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 13:27:24 GMT

The 430EX III-RT and 270EX II are not compatible in Radio wireless operations.

The 430EX III-RT has both radio wireless capability and optical wireless capability as a "Slave Flash", but only radio wireless capability as a "Master Flash".

The 270EX II has only optical wireless capability as a "Slave Flash", just as the 430EX II in the chart shown in the manual.

You can use your 80D built in flash as an Optical master for both flashes in optical slave mode.

Re: External flash

PLee — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 19:08:55 GMT

Yes, the built-in flash on the EOS 80D can function as an optical wireless transmitter to control both of the flashes you've mentioned off camera. The built-in flash can also be configured to not fire during the actual exposure as well.

Re: External flash

nav16 — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 06:56:02 GMT

Do you know how I can configure it so the flash on my camera is off but the off camera flash will fire

Re: External flash

MikeSowsun — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 14:46:02 GMT

(I edited my original answer above. I thought you wanted the 430EX III -RT to be the master to the 270EX II slave)

Yes, you can use the 80D built in flash to fire one or both of your external flashed using optical wireless.

Under the Built in Flash settings, select Wireless func. and then select the middle icon for external flash only. The top selection is for flash ratios between the built in flash and external flash and the bottom one is for firing both the built in and external flash together. (You can also use ratios between multiple external flashes)

You will still see the built in flash fire, but it is only sending the coded optical wireless flash instructions and will contribute little or no light to the scene. (if you have a very close subject or high ISO you may see a little light from the built in flash in the photo)

Re: External flash

nav16 — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 18:38:04 GMT

Awesome. I will try it when I get home this afternoon

Re: External flash

nav16 — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 06:49:05 GMT

Couldn't get it to work. Should I se the 4300 to master or slave? Just to be clear, the 4300 is gonna be off the camera and sitting on the stand by itself

Re: External flash

kvbarkley — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 06:56:23 GMT

The 430 should be an optical slave. What did not work?

Re: External flash

nav16 — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 23:08:29 GMT

So I have set my camera to what Mike said. My camera is on Av and the flash on my camera is off. I just want the external flash to go off. With these setting, my 4300 won't go off

Re: External flash

MikeSowsun — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 00:13:08 GMT

@nav16 wrote:
So I have set my camera to what Mike said. My camera is on Av and the flash on my camera is off. I just want the external flash to go off. With these setting, my 4300 won't go off

Is the 270EX working as a Slave? Do you have the built-in flash set like this?

Re: External flash

kvbarkley — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 03:27:33 GMT

You have to have the internal flash on to communicate with the 430 flash. It uses pulses of light from the flash to send signals. I strongly suggest you download the full manual and go through the wireless flash section of the manual.

Re: External flash

nav16 — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 20:27:42 GMT

I havent tried anything with the 270 yet. I have the setting just like Mike said and couldn't get it to work

Re: External flash

MikeSowsun — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 21:45:26 GMT

The 430EX RT-II has both radio and optical wireless capability. Because your camera can only use optical, make sure the flash in in optical slave mode.

The 270EX only has optical slave, so try it and see if it works

Re: External flash

nav16 — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 02:05:41 GMT

Re: External flash

nav16 — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 02:07:10 GMT

These are the settings I have on my camera and the flash. Maybe it might help out ? Am I doing something wrong??

Re: External flash

MikeSowsun — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 02:48:51 GMT

It looks like you have OPTICAL wireless enabled. It should work.

Just double check the channel and group to make sure it is all the same.

Review all the steps below to make sure you didn't miss anything:

Re: External flash

nav16 — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 20:45:33 GMT

I called a local camera shop and they said the flash on the camera needs to go off to trigger the speedlight. Is this true? I have the camera and speedlight on the same chanel and it won't go off. I just want the speedlight to go off without using the camera flash

Re: External flash

MikeSowsun — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 20:53:02 GMT

Yes, the camera's built-in flash must fire to trigger the slave in optical mode.

BUT.... The way you have it set, you will see the flash fire, but it is actually sending coded optical light signals just before the slave flash fires, and you should not see the light from the built-in flash in your photo.

Re: External flash

nav16 — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 23:34:42 GMT

Ok thanks