[Tech] Problem with Canon Flash
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[Tech] Problem with Canon Flash
I have a Canon 270 EX II flash for my Canon T6i - every since I bought the flash I have been unable to get the slave function to work. I am not sure if the flash is defective (out of warranty now) or if I am doing something wrong.
My understanding is that you put into slave mode and it should fire when it senses the camera's flash go off, is there something else I need to do?
I have searched but could not find an answer. Any help will be appreciated.
My understanding is that you put into slave mode and it should fire when it senses the camera's flash go off, is there something else I need to do?
I have searched but could not find an answer. Any help will be appreciated.
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IIRC, 'slave mode' allows the camera to transmit the flash intensity to the slave and trigger flash. It's more than a simple trigger. If your camera supports a slave function, you need to set up both the camera and the flash with the correct parameters for the system to properly work.
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I have a Canon 270 EX II flash for my Canon T6i - every since I bought the flash I have been unable to get the slave function to work. I am not sure if the flash is defective (out of warranty now) or if I am doing something wrong.
My understanding is that you put into slave mode and it should fire when it senses the camera's flash go off, is there something else I need to do?
I have searched but could not find an answer. Any help will be appreciated.
My understanding is that you put into slave mode and it should fire when it senses the camera's flash go off, is there something else I need to do?
I have searched but could not find an answer. Any help will be appreciated.
Although I am very familiar with Flash and Strobe photography, I am likely not the best person to ask is I have only ever used Radio Triggers. That said I believe the set up for that particular Camera/Flash Combo is an "Optical Trigger" meaning the 270 Ex needs to see the "Master/Transmitter" Flash from the camera. Can you determine if the flash is happening on the camera?
Last edited by Nitro-C5; Jan 4, 2021 at 09:47 PM.
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IIRC, 'slave mode' allows the camera to transmit the flash intensity to the slave and trigger flash. It's more than a simple trigger. If your camera supports a slave function, you need to set up both the camera and the flash with the correct parameters for the system to properly work.
To the OP, what MT Vette is saying is accurate... meaning that if the camera is not set as the "Master"/transmitter then the preflash (again I believe this is an optical system) is not being received by the "slave" flash. Assuming everything is working correctly, pretty sure it is a setting in camera.
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From the manual:
have a master function. The 270EX II fires as a slave flash when controlled from a master
unit. For the detailed shooting method, refer to the instruction manual of the camera or the
Speedlite with a master function.
1. Set the camera or Speedlite as the
master unit.
2. Set the 270EX II as the slave unit.
Set the power switch of the 270EX II to <SLAVE>.
3 Attach the 270EX II to the supplied
mini stand and position the flash.
Indoors, you can perform wireless flash shooting
using the reflection of the surrounding walls without
having to point the wireless sensor of the 270EX II
toward the camera. Position the 270EX II while
checking that it can fire.
Transmission channel
You can use the flash regardless of the transmission channel (1 to 4) on the master unit.
Slave ID (firing group)
The slave ID is set (fixed) to group A. This cannot be changed to group B or C.
Auto power off on the slave unit
When the power switch of the 270EX II is set to <SLAVE>, the power of the flash turns off
automatically if no operations are made within 60 or 10 minutes (p.16 C.Fn-10).
If the master unit does not have a function for canceling the auto power off (p.16 C.Fn-11) on
the 270EX II, set the power switch of the 270EX II to <OFF> and then to <SLAVE> again
Using the 270EX II for Remote Control Shooting
During Wireless Flash Shooting
The 270EX II can be used for remote control shooting with cameras compatible with Remote
Controller RC-1, RC-5, or RC-6. When wireless flash shooting is enabled, remote control
shooting is possible while changing easily the position of the 270EX II.
Example of using the flash for wireless flash shooting
" Point the 270EX II toward the camera
and press the remote release button.
# Point the 270EX II to the subject within
two seconds.
There is more. It starts on page 17
Speedlite EX270 manual
Wireless Flash Shooting
To perform wireless flash shooting, the camera or the Speedlite attached to the camera musthave a master function. The 270EX II fires as a slave flash when controlled from a master
unit. For the detailed shooting method, refer to the instruction manual of the camera or the
Speedlite with a master function.
1. Set the camera or Speedlite as the
master unit.
2. Set the 270EX II as the slave unit.
Set the power switch of the 270EX II to <SLAVE>.
3 Attach the 270EX II to the supplied
mini stand and position the flash.
Indoors, you can perform wireless flash shooting
using the reflection of the surrounding walls without
having to point the wireless sensor of the 270EX II
toward the camera. Position the 270EX II while
checking that it can fire.
Transmission channel
You can use the flash regardless of the transmission channel (1 to 4) on the master unit.
Slave ID (firing group)
The slave ID is set (fixed) to group A. This cannot be changed to group B or C.
Auto power off on the slave unit
When the power switch of the 270EX II is set to <SLAVE>, the power of the flash turns off
automatically if no operations are made within 60 or 10 minutes (p.16 C.Fn-10).
If the master unit does not have a function for canceling the auto power off (p.16 C.Fn-11) on
the 270EX II, set the power switch of the 270EX II to <OFF> and then to <SLAVE> again
Using the 270EX II for Remote Control Shooting
During Wireless Flash Shooting
The 270EX II can be used for remote control shooting with cameras compatible with Remote
Controller RC-1, RC-5, or RC-6. When wireless flash shooting is enabled, remote control
shooting is possible while changing easily the position of the 270EX II.
Example of using the flash for wireless flash shooting
" Point the 270EX II toward the camera
and press the remote release button.
# Point the 270EX II to the subject within
two seconds.
Speedlite EX270 manual
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All, thanks for the replies. The built-in flash on the camera does work.
It seems like the issue might be that I need to set my camera as "Master" which going through the menus I cannot seem to do (there is no selection). There are some options for the external flash settings but they are only accessible if the external flash has been physically attached to the camera.
The camera's manual does not even discuss those external flash menu options and is very brief.
I am almost convinced that the T6i might not support using the external flash as "Slave?"
It seems like the issue might be that I need to set my camera as "Master" which going through the menus I cannot seem to do (there is no selection). There are some options for the external flash settings but they are only accessible if the external flash has been physically attached to the camera.
The camera's manual does not even discuss those external flash menu options and is very brief.
I am almost convinced that the T6i might not support using the external flash as "Slave?"
You posted that while I was typing my response. Good points. To the OP, what MT Vette is saying is accurate... meaning that if the camera is not set as the "Master"/transmitter then the preflash (again I believe this is an optical system) is not being received by the "slave" flash. Assuming everything is working correctly, pretty sure it is a setting in camera.
To the OP, what MT Vette is saying is accurate... meaning that if the camera is not set as the "Master"/transmitter then the preflash (again I believe this is an optical system) is not being received by the "slave" flash. Assuming everything is working correctly, pretty sure it is a setting in camera.Although I am very familiar with Flash and Strobe photography, I am likely not the best person to ask is I have only ever used Radio Triggers. That said I believe the set up for that particular Camera/Flash Combo is an "Optical Trigger" meaning the 270 Ex needs to see the "Master/Transmitter" Flash from the camera. Can you determine if the flash is happening on the camera?
IIRC, 'slave mode' allows the camera to transmit the flash intensity to the slave and trigger flash. It's more than a simple trigger. If your camera supports a slave function, you need to set up both the camera and the flash with the correct parameters for the system to properly work.
