Using RF60 to optically trigger another flash.

LensCapTim

Hello!
   Wondering if this may be possible as I have not found a way to get this to work. Here is the run down I purchased the V6 with the RF60, which is awesome by the way, and as for the other flash I have a Canon 550EX which I programmed to be used by the V6 which is working great. The only small issue is I don't have a second V6 at this moment but plan on getting another soon. I have the V6 on a Nikon D750 and the RF60 to fire just fine but was wondering if there is a way to use the RF60 to trigger the Canon 550ex on it's own?
Any hope of that working or am I just stuck until my purchase of another V6 unit?
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
 

LensCapTim

Update* found one solution, I placed my old Phottix Ares trigger on the V6 to trigger the Canon flash and can control the RF60 with the V6 underneath. It's not the most ideal but it works for now until I get another V6. Just thought I'd throw this out there.

Antonio

Hi @LensCapTim,

Or you could simply get another RF60 if you need additional off-camera flash unit, instead of buying a V6 to pair up with another TTL flash unit.

I wouldn't recommend using optical slave for flash triggering in conjunction with radio, though. Your current "daisy-chain" setup would work but not very eye-candy and you don't have remote power control.

Let us know if you need further assistance.

Thank you!

LensCapTim

@Antonio
   Yeah that's my plan eventually, I am still going to get another V6 to control the Canon 550EX as it is still going strong and is a great flash unit along with another RF60 as well. As the saying goes the more the merrier! lol
Yeah the current setup for both triggers looks very goofy hahaha but it will work for now until I obtain another V6 or RF60.
Is there a way to use the RF60 to optically trigger the Canon 550EX?

Antonio

@LensCapTim, certainly if you have another 550EX you should not let it to waste. So it sounds like a cool plan to have an extra V6 and RF60 next!

I believe you can optically trigger the 550EX with any flash? Just make sure the sensor is not obstructed from the light source (such as the RF60).

Let me know how you get on with the RF + optical mix.

LensCapTim

I tried that but the stubborn 550EX just wont fire when I have the flash and the optical sensor facing the RF60. I can trigger the RF60 just fine via the 550EX but being that I have only one V6 this creates a problem lol. What I was able to do is program the V6 to control the power of the 550EX, which I love so thank you soooo much for having this ingenious feature, and us the RF60 to fire the 550EX. Looking through the old dusty canon 550ex manual it looks like it can only be fired by IR from another flash and I don't thing the RF60 has that so it looks like the only solution is another V6 which is what I plan to do anywho. Stupid Canon and their "Rules" lol.

Antonio

Thanks @LensCapTim for trying it anyway.

But yeah, ultimately you will need a V6 for your second 550EX. Being able to remotely control it's power is so convenient, fun and quick!

Class A

Hi Tim,

I'm not sure about the 550EX exactly, but I know a Canon shooter who once complained about their Canon flash that had a built-in limitation like the one you seem to be experiencing that stopped it from working with third-party equipment.

An alternative to your doubled-trigger approach that you are currently using would be to use the RF60 on-camera in Master mode. You could then use it to remote control the power of an off-camera 550EX, by connecting the latter to your V6.

I personally prefer to just use a trigger on the camera instead of a full flash, but I thought I'd mention the idea as not everyone may be aware of the fact that the RF60 can remote control four groups in Master mode, just like a V6.