Got flash (580Ex question)

Nikolai

Today - finally - my 580Ex (along with Sto-fen OmniBouncer) arrived from B&H!:clap
Combined with (recently purchased here at dgrin) LumiQuest Mini Softbox I think it gets me decently equipped for the low-light situations, at least at within 30 ft.

Stroboframe Press-T bracket didn't make it this batch, but is on its way - has been shipped today, along with the TTL cord, of course.

Which brings a question: it says "TTL cord". Does it mean I'll lose ETTL II capabilities and "downgrade" it to the plain TTL if I put the flash on the bracket?
Or it's just a generic term and I'll be able to use all this fancy auto metering mode?

TIA!

patch29

If it is the Off Shoe 2 cord you are OK for ETTL as far as I know. I use it and have never noticed a difference.

pathfinder

I don't think the 'off the shoe' cord supplies anything but electrical connections.

ETTL II is logic that is performed in the camera body itself, and then sends the signals through the hot-shoe electrical connections- the cord is just an extension of the hot shoe - At least, that is my take on it.

Wildlife shooters use the Canon extension cord for telephoto shots with the Better Beamer all the time and I have never heard a statement that this impaired the flash control quality.

bwg

from the "features" box on the B+H page for the cord:

Maintains all on-camera flash functions (including E-TTL) for one Canon Speedlite used off-camera at distances up to 2 ft. (60 cm). Not compatible with EOS 630 or RT. Fully functional with all other EOS models, although radio interference emitted by this product may exceed specified limits in the US Canada and Germany when used with EOS 10s.

so there ya go

Nikolai

Patch, PF, BWG - thanks, guys!
Thank you for clarification and prompt feedback!

bigwebguy wrote:

from the "features" box on the B+H page for the cord:
so there ya go

Duh! :-) I guess I was not paying attention:-) Thanks, dude!

MalteseParrot

Off Shoe 2 cord
Want to hear something funny? I hinted for my Canon 580 EX Flash w/ a Strobo Frame flip Bracket for Christmas...I got it. The store did not advise my husband of the need for the Off Shoe 2 cord in order to use the Bracket. How ridiculous is that? They missed a $60.00 sale + extra trouble for a customer. Another thing, for those of us expanding our depth into proper lighting for portraits...ever notice that with enough research it's not too hard to figure out what equipment to get. However, try getting any input on how to use it and you're sunk! No diagrams, instructions w/ the Flash or the Bracket...they must just assume if you know what to buy, you'll know how to assemble and use it! I don't know about everybody else, but I'm the only person I know that's "into" photography and it's quite a disadvantage. I bring this all up to let everyone know how helpful these forums are when it comes to guidance. Sometimes it's like coming in midway into a conversation, but if you read enough, you can oft times find the info needed. So, thanks everyone for being there!

ian408

To add to it. Sometimes you need to know what you need cable wise. If
you're shooting with Pocket Wizards, there are cables galore and each
device seems to take a different one