[5DMIII and 7D] Custom Shooting Modes don't save second/rear-curtain sync setting

[jfo]

I'm trying to set-up a Custom Shotting Mode for rear-curtain sync while my regular shooting modes (namely the "M", manual mode) stays normal / first-curtain sync, but it doesn't work as designed.

I am doing this by changing "Second-shutter sychronization" under "Shutter synchronization" (the first menu tab > "External Speedlite control" > "Flash function settings" > then bottom left box with the triangles). 

 On page 333 of the 5DMIII manual, it says specifically that "External Speedlite control" is including in the settings registered by the Custom Shooting Modes.  However, whenever I change this setting, it changes universally across all shooting modes.

I have created the settings I wanted in "M" (including rear-curtain sync), then saved it to C#, and then changed back to first-curtain sync while in M.  When I go to C#, the rear-curtain sync is NOT set.  I also have auto-update of Custom Shooting Modes enabled: after making sure "M" is set to first-curtain sync, when I change to rear-curtain sync while in C#, it keeps the rear-curtain sync setting when I go back to "M".

Anybody else seeing this? Am I missing something? is this a bug?

P.S.  I'm pretty sure I came across this with my 7D also when I tried a while back, but don't have time right now to systematically try again.

[p4pictures]

Yes I see the same thing. Actually I wanted to be able to use the C# modes to have different flash operation, so say C1 would set the on-camera flash as master but not a firing master, C2 would have the on camera flash set as master and it would fire as part of group A. It doesn't work either with the C# modes on the 5D3 or 7D I tried. I also tried using 7D with Speedlite 580EX II but no luck either as I wondered if it was an issue with the 600EX-RT's I tried initially.

Brian

[jfo]

Phew... glad to know I'm not going crazy.

Now to figure out how to tell Canon and get their official word on whether this is a bug or a "feature."  Seems a bit odd that this has gone unnoticed for so long on the 7D.

Edit: Here's Canon's Knowledge Base (KB) article on custom shooting modes:

http://kbsupport.cusa.canon.com/system/selfservice.controller?CONFIGURATION=1011&PARTITION_ID=1&secu...

Doesn't provide any more info nor address this issue, though.

[p4pictures]

I think that part of the problem is that the specific settings are not workable with all flashes so they are not stored in the C# modes. If you set say one to force a speedlite to master mode and you use a Speedlite 430EX on the camera it can't work as a master so to avoid confusion the Speedlite settings are not stored for the specifics of each Speedltie.

So this means that if it's in the External Flash Function settings menu it's not stored. 

Brian

[jfo]

Ah, that makes sense, coupled with the fact that the entire menu for external Speedlite control isn't available if no flash or a non-compatible flash is attached. 

Here's Canon's response. Its a firmware bug after all, but hopefully can/will be fixed in the next firmware:

We appreciate your continued correspondence regarding your EOS 5D Mark III, EOS 7D, and Speedlite 580EX II.

Thank you for your response.  Tests were performed with the EOS 5D Mark III, EOS 7D, and the Speedlite 580EX II to duplicate the problem you are encountering.  Surprisingly, by following the settings you stated in the forum, we were able to duplicate the problem with our equipment too.  I have submitted a notification to our engineers who will look into the matter further and hopefully a future firmware update may be released to fix the problem.  I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance with your EOS 5D Mark III, EOS 7D, and Speedlite 580EX II.

Thank you for choosing Canon.

Sincerely,

Rodney
Technical Support Representative

[jfo]

Sadly, even with the April firmware update for the 5DM3 (v1.2.1), it seems this firmware bug still hasn't been fixed. =(