Speedlite EL-5 wireless compatibility with Speedlite 580EX

[lmarno48]

Can the 580EX in slave mode receive wireless signal from the EL-5 mounted on R6II camera? I suspect not since the 580EX only lists "Channels" 1-4, but no "ID" as does the EL-5. I thought I'd check before buying the 5. 

[deebatman316 · Accepted solution]

The EL-5 is only compatible with Canon’s newer RF wireless radio triggering. The 580EX is only compatible with Canon’s older line of sight optical system. These 2 systems ARE NOT COMPATIBLE with each other. Nor can both systems be used at the same time. You’ll either have to sell the 580EX for a newer speedlite that supports the RT system such as the 600EX II-RT. Or sell the EL-5 and replace it with another speedlite that supports the optical wireless system such as the EL-100. Id recommend staying with the newer RT system.

[lmarno48]

Thanks for the prompt response to my Q - I haven't bought the EL-5 yet. Probably will eventually.

What created the question was my seeing in the 580EX manual that it can be controlled by the wireless transmitter Canon's ST-E2 which, if I read correctly, is compatible with the EL-5. 

[lmarno48]

Disregard my last embarrassment note -- I was thinking ST-E10 NOT the ST-E2.

Old brain here.

[rs-eos]

No, as Demetrius stated earlier, the EL-5 requires "radio transmission wireless". The word "wireless" in context of the older ST-E2 and 580EX refers to optical line-of-sight.

I wish they wouldn't have used the word "wireless" as it can be misleading. Ultimately you have to look for the word "radio" or phrase "radio transmission" which specifically speaks to that type of triggering. That's why products such as "600 EX-RT" and "ST-E3-RT" ended in "RT".

[deebatman316]

The EL-5 and 580EX use 2 different incompatible wireless trigger methods. The older optical system used by the 580EX uses a modulated pre-flash that the off camera flashes see and know when to fire. The newer radio system uses RF frequency and doesn’t rely on a modulated pre-flash. The ST-E2 IS NOT COMPATIBLE with the EL-5 as it uses the older optical system. The ST-E3-RT or ST-E10 would be compatible with the EL-5 but not the 580EX.

[deebatman316]

Note some newer speedlites have dropped “RT” in the name but support it. The EL-1, EL-5, EL-10 & ST-E10 all support radio transmission. But lack “RT” on the product’s name. Note the EL-5 & EL-10 only support radio transmission. They don’t support the older optical system.