580EX Master - Won't fire in Bounce position

<p>At a recent photo assignment I had a 580EXII on the hotshoe of my 5D, set as Master (ETTL), pointed straight up to bounce light off of the ceiling for fill, with a 420EX set on Slave and serving as the Main light source off to the right. My problem is that the 580EX would not fire in any bounce position when used with the 420EX set as slave. Only the 420EX would fire. If I switched the power off on the 420EX, then the 580EX would fire. Likewise, if I turned the 580EX flash head to point straight forward, it would fire along with the 420EX. I tried various different bounce positions on the 580EX, and it would not fire as long as the 420EX was used as the slave. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? If it matters, the camera settings were as follows: Manual, 200 ISO, F5.0, 1/100, and flash on ETTL as previously stated. Thank you in advance for your assistance.<br>

-Ben</p>

<p>Well, that probably won't help you much but I have just tested it with 2 and 3 580EXII and all fire regardless of the orientation of the master (bounce, reversed, angled, etc.) with a number of cameras (40D, 1Ds3, 1D3, 1Ds2) alas not with a 5D.</p>

<p>I just ran a test with the 580EX in the 5D's hotshoe in bounce position and it successfully triggered a 430EX.</p>

<p>Just curious, how are you confirming the 580 is firing or not firing? If you can see it fire through the viewfinder, then you are seeing the pre-flash.</p>

<p>When I run into these type of issues, I reset all flashes to default settings, get out the manual and start over again. I usually find that it was operator error. And, I do mean my error, not necessarily yours.</p>

<p>Forgot to clarify I am using both strobes in Manual, not ETTL mode.... Sorry</p>

<p>Douglas,<br>

I know that the 580EX isn't firing because the only portion of the subject that is lit is the portion being lit by the 420EX. The rest is fairly dark with heavy shadows and no fill. Thanks.<br>

-Ben</p>

<p>Steve,<br>

Just to clarify, I can trigger the 420EX just fine in bouce position, but the 580EX itself will not fire other than the preflash to trigger the slave. Thanks.<br>

-Ben</p>

<p>Hi Ben, since my tests were with both the master and slave in Manual, there would be no preflash since ETTL is not in use. In my (manual) test both fired. I'll try and set up another ETTL-based test later today if I have time and let you know the results.</p>

<p>Ben I just ran a test with the 580EX on the 5D's hotshoe in bounce position set to Master. 430EX off camera set to slave. Both flashes in ETTL mode. Both flashes fired as expected.</p>