How to trigger 540EX or 580EX with Pocket Wizard?

[chris_newkumet]

I'm sure there's a simple answer here, so forgive me in advance for

the stupid question. I want to use one of my spare Canon SpeedLites

as a veil/hair light for bridal party portraits. I would use one of

my Quantum Q flashes, but I have only two and frequently use those as

main and fill for altar returns and such when running extension cords

to power my Alien Bees is too complicated. I can put one of the

SpeedLites on the floor behind the bride (using one of those little

plastic stands that come with them), but how do I hook up the Pocket

Wizard? There's no PC connection on the Speedlite, as best as I can

recall. Is there some type of hotshoe adapter that I could run a

synch cord to and trip it that way? Please name a specific product if

you've used it to good effect. I don't want to use the slave function

of the SpeedLites. Also, I assume I'd have to set the Speedlite to

manual and just meter it the first few times I use it to get a feel

for the effect. I don't have one in front of me, but I'm pretty sure

I can't set a Speedlite to automatic when it's off the

camera...Thanks in advance for any help.

[chris_newkumet]

my mistake... I meant to say 550EX or 580EX...

[lb-]

http://www.paramountcords.com/

 

item # PW-MHSF1

[skipd]

I could be wrong, but I do believe folks on another forum have said that the 550EX and/or 580EX Speedlites won't work past the first flash when triggering them by a 1-contact (plus the return via the shoe rails) hotshoe. You may have to turn the unit off and back on to get another shot from it. You can, of course, test this by manually shorting the center pin to one of the rail contacts on the flash unit's shoe. See if it recycles and will work again. I just tested my 420EX, and it was able to recycle and be triggered more than once.

 

It seems that you understand this already, but for the sake of others reading the thread - you definitely do NOT want to do what you describe with another Speedlite connected to the camera in an automatic exposure mode. The remote flash will cause an overexposure that you cannot control. All flash sources and the camera will have to be in manual mode to be able to make the setup function.

[lb-]

the 550ex and 580ex units will work with the paramount cord connected to a PW reciever.

I use this combo all the time.

 

I have heard of some optical slaves locking up the ex series speedlights and of some metal

hotshoes being an issue as well, but the paramount cords shoe is plastic save for the

center contact and the rails. don't know if that has anything to do with it or not but it

works.

 

cheers