Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hi,
I would like to use the 580 on the hot shoe mount and connect the CST via the cable to the camera. Is this possible? Is the E-TTL triggering the pre-fire signal to the Einstein? If I have to disable the E-TTL how can I do that (I do not find such information in the manual but I remember from an article that it should be possible)?
Thanks

Yes, you can connect the CST to the camera via PC cord (you cannot connect the CST to the flash on Canons, however). With the CST connected to the camera and a reciever on the light, the flash does not have to have preflash disabled (though, you should turn off the slave eye on the light. This is a menu function on Einstein).

Should you choose to turn off the preflash on the Canon flash, set it to "M" or "A" modes. "M" mode allows you to dial a specific output that will be produced each time the flash fires (assuming sufficient recycle). "A" mode is the "old-skool" means of auto flash that uses the sensor on the front of the flash to judge proper exposure. This option is only available on the EXII version of the 580.

Many thanks for all the helpful information,
I was considering connecting the pc cord to the flash other than in the camera for better versatility. As far as you know why can't I connect it directly to the flash.
Many thanks again

The flash's PC terminal is input only for off camera use (you can connect a CSRB to it). Nikon flashes are in/out.