550ex as wireless slave won't fire using 7D wireless capabilities.

Current 7D internal flash settings;
flash mode: E-TTL II and evaluative.
shutter sync: 1st curtain.
wireless function: external flash only.
channel: 1
firing group: A+B+C

550ex setting:

OFF-Master-Slave switch is set to Slave. (IR sensor in front is flashing on/off).
Ch. 1
Slave A

When using the 7D menu test fire button or take an exposure, the popup flash does fire a weak pre-flash.

I have tried all channel settings.

What am I missing? If all setting are correct where would you suspect the problem to be, camera or flash or is it a toss up? The 550ex functions correctly when used on camera.

Make sure the IR sensor of the 550 is facing the 7D. It has to see the tirgger flash.

In a darker indoor setting it will usually fire regardless of where it is pointed because the reflected flash is significant enough. In an outdoor or brighter setting, it really should be pointed directly back at the 7D.

Hope this helps.
--
LeoR

I have had the 7D popup flash as close as 6" from the IR window on flash to eliminate this possibility. Any other ideas?

Is the camera or the flash broke?

thanks for the reply.

imagery4hire said:

Current 7D internal flash settings;
flash mode: E-TTL II and evaluative.
shutter sync: 1st curtain.
wireless function: external flash only.
channel: 1
firing group: A+B+C

Click to expand...

Try this: choose firing group A:B. The master is always part of group A. Choose external flash only and set your 550ex slave to group B, while making sure that the receiver at the bottom of the slave faces the master, and is not too distant from the master. Your slave should then fire.

PhotoNotes offers a good description of how the canon wireless flash system works:

link: http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/index3.html#wireless

To: Ruud R

I followed your instructions, the 550ex still won't fire.

Thanks for the info.

That's too bad.

Did you try a YouTube search for "canon 7d wireless flash"? There are some step by step tutorials there.

Good luck with the problem

Looks like you'll have to borrow another body or flash to figure out which one has the problem. If you bought either piece from a local store, I am sure they would help you out.

Good luck
--
LeoR

7D's built-in flash settings:

• flash on
• ETTL-II
• 1st curtain sych
• wireless function - external only
• channel I
• group A:B

external 550ex (about 10 meters away):

• slave mode;
• channel I
• group A
• ETTL
• IR sensor not in a direct sight line (facing white wall of which the built-in preflash bounces);

works every time,

good luck,
jpr2
--
~
street candids (non-interactive):
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157609618638319/
music and dance:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157600341265280/
B&W:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157623306407882/
wildlife & macro:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157600341377106/
interactive street:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157623181919323/

Comments and critique are always welcome!
~

.. agree with jpr2's list.
add;

Silent mode Disable +:- Live View Off
Put cam to M (while testing)
'Wireless' Enable (self evident, I know)
Firing group to A+B+C (initially)
Slave must show 'ETTL', at least initially.

The Picture styles button should produce a test fire, with A, B & C group units separated by c1 second. If that doesn't work either, then I guess try to borrow a 'known-to-be-good' slave. Check again that the channel No is common to cam/controller & slave.

To check that 'pre-flash' is being emitted, view your built-in's flash tube in a mirror while taking the shot. ie through the viewfinder. You should see a flash just before the mirror lifts (& the shutter opens) when you complete the shutter release.
Keep us posted. Donald

I followed jpr2's and ScratchDisk's instructions, still no fire from 550ex. When I tripped the shutter while watching in the mirror I could see the weak pre-flash. Should the pre-flash reflection be visible in the recorded digital image (it is in mine)?

The 7D is at firmware 1.1.0, I know I'm down level several updates. Has there been any activity in the wireless area in the firmware updates?

I deduce the 7D is probably functioning correctly and the problem is with the flash, BUT I only have a month left on the 7D's warranty. Should I send the 7D off to Canon to verify proper operation?

Thanks for everyone's input.

imagery4hire said:

The 7D is at firmware 1.1.0, I know I'm down level several updates. Has there been any activity in the wireless area in the firmware updates?

Click to expand...

no, it is not FW - mine was cooperating with 550ex in FW 1.09, 1.10.
and now in 1.22

imagery4hire said:

I deduce the 7D is probably functioning correctly and the problem is with the flash, BUT I only have a month left on the 7D's warranty. Should I send the 7D off to Canon to verify proper operation?

Click to expand...

does your 550ex function correctly when used mounted on hot shoe?

on the related note:

• as soon as I put mine 550ex to be a slave (not mounted on a camera);
• it starts to emit regular pulses of red light with the pattern of lines for aiding focus;
• is there any way to switch this off? (very highly conspicuous !!!)

jpr2
--
~
street candids (non-interactive):
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157609618638319/
music and dance:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157600341265280/
B&W:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157623306407882/
wildlife & macro:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157600341377106/
interactive street:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157623181919323/

Comments and critique are always welcome!
~

To jpr2:

The 550ex functions perfectly when attached to the hot shoe.

The flashing IR light is an indication that the slave flash is ready to fire. I have read else where to cover it up with tape if needed.

Thanks for the info concerning the firmware.

Hi Guys,

" ... The flashing IR light is an indication that the slave flash is ready to fire. I have read else where to cover it up with tape if needed ... " I agree, tape if you must, but perhaps only after you have verified that the red strobing is clearly apparent from the master/controller position. The IR-sensor is not the window that strobes red - it's the nearly black window above.

The 550 is the more likely faulty component (even if it works well in a non-slave role). Is there a way to test as a slave to a 'known-to-be-good' master/controller device. We feel your frustration because 550s can make great slaves.

Edit; Is there anything shorting the 550 'hot-foot' terminals/contacts (remember that one rail is a contact.)?

'Pre-flash' is 'pre-synchronous', so that is what you have seen in the mirror - through the viewfinder on taking the shot. Flash illumination in the captured image is either 'capture-flash' or 'trigger-flash' or both. If - as I think you have done - you correctly switch off the built-in controller's 'capture-flash' by selecting the lone external icon in the Wireless Func line, then any controller illumination captured in the image is exclusively 'trigger-flash'. That represents normal 7D (& 60D) wireless functionality. Trigger-flash is extremely weak and under many circumstances may be ignored; very short range +:- reflections in a mirror are exceptions as you have proved. Nikon's CLS & Canon Wireless have some differences, but Trigger-flash is common to both, which is why Nikon came up with their SG-3IR 'IR-pass' filter. It requires modification (R hand rail etc) for use on a 7D. Obviously it precludes built-in capture flash, it also makes 'pre-flash' less blink inducing, but its primary purpose is to completely remove trigger-flash from being captured. Trigger-flash is the very last component of all the controlling flashes and is co-synchronous with capture-flash. It's not spelled out in most Canon literature but it is in their patents.

ScratchDisk said:

The IR-sensor is not the window that strobes red - it's the nearly black window above.

Click to expand...

this is really very good news; it shouldn't be too difficult to mould
a small cap given the shape and position of the red window; in fact
its cover seems to be detachable so the whole operation might be
quite easy - very good that they are separate as otherwise it would
be a tough choice to either use it as a wireless but a highly noticeable
slave, or a discreet one but on a cord

jpr2
--
~
street candids (non-interactive):
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157609618638319/
music and dance:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157600341265280/
B&W:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157623306407882/
wildlife & macro:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157600341377106/
interactive street:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157623181919323/

Comments and critique are always welcome!
~

When all else fails call Canon Support before your warranty expires.

it is very easy to engineer, even in a field:

• put a thumbnail into a base (as seen if flash is held vertically) of the red plastic window, and pry the cover slightly towards the flash top) - it will slide open;
• three circular diodes will be visible; the red flasher is the one at the bottom (the solitary one);
• cut a small cover from some black cardboard or plastic - as the flasher is rather strong it should be of sufficient thickness;
• cover the flasher, and put the red plastic back on;
• very easy to reverse the whole process should the IR focus assist be needed in some other situation,

jpr2

jpr2 said:

--
~
street candids (non-interactive):
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157609618638319/
music and dance:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157600341265280/
B&W:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157623306407882/
wildlife & macro:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157600341377106/
interactive street:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157623181919323/

Comments and critique are always welcome!
~

Click to expand...

--
~
street candids (non-interactive):
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157609618638319/
music and dance:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157600341265280/
B&W:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157623306407882/
wildlife & macro:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157600341377106/
interactive street:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/qmusaget/sets/72157623181919323/

Comments and critique are always welcome!
~

OK, that may be useful sometimes,
but,

I like to know when the slaves have recycled,
and,

The Light path of the red strobing is nearly the exact reverse of outgoing master 'pre-flash'. So as you change setups, as long as the red strobing is clearly apparent, either direct or reflected, from the master/controller position, and you are within range, then you have a very high level of confidence that control & triggering are going to work as they should.

Looks like you've received a ton of advise on settings to check; but have you tried using a different channel other than "1" ?

Regards, Mike
--
B.R.A.S.S. (Breathe, Relax, Aim, Sight, Squeeze)

To Port Royal Dad:

I have tried all 4 channels, all 3 groups in every combination possible for the 7D external wireless flash only setting.

Again, thanks for everyone's input.

Make sure the wireless function is turned on. See page 119-121 of the manual. Sorry if this as already been mentioned.
--
--Bruce