580 ex no af assist beam

[Ryan Drummond]

My trusty old flash wont flash an af assist beam in low light conditions. I have to manual focus. I have been through custom functions in its manual I have tried the different settings pertaining to af assist, still nothing. When I press my FEL button on my body then it emits a preflash so I know it can do it.


I have tried different shooting modes, nothing.

Camera is a 1DS11.


Any sugestions welcome as I have a week long assingment starting next week and I need this flash to work.


Thank you
Ryan

[Anonymous]

So you've tried it in One Shot AF mode and it still won't light the grid?

Have you tried it on another camera to see if the beam is working?

[Chris F]

jip, try the ONE SHOT setting. It does NOT work in AI Servo ....


Even so, it IS possible to switch this OFF on either the Camera, OR the Flash - so just check the settings on both (after trying it in One Shot)

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

...
Even so, it IS possible to switch this OFF on either the Camera, OR the Flash - so just check the settings on both (after trying it in One Shot)

just wanted to mention this!

[Ryan Drummond]

I had it on AI servo! I was searching for a complex solution and it was the simple thing I overlooked. It works perfectly now!

Any how at least I have read my manuals from cover to cover again.

Forgiss I remember paying attention to that setting, Custom function 12. AF Assist beam off, 0 = Disabled: 1 = Enabled. Its a head scratcher but I tried it both ways and failed.

AI Servo was my achillies, Thanks for you help people.

Ryan

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Good stuff, now we all know!

[Anonymous]

I had it on AI servo! I was searching for a complex solution and it was the simple thing I overlooked. It works perfectly now!

Any how at least I have read my manuals from cover to cover again.

Forgiss I remember paying attention to that setting, Custom function 12. AF Assist beam off, 0 = Disabled: 1 = Enabled. Its a head scratcher but I tried it both ways and failed.

AI Servo was my achillies, Thanks for you help people.

Ryan

There should be a Canon tricks and tips thread with this one right at the top.

[Chris F]

Ryan two weeks back I went through the SAME !! Except, at some point I did switch to One Shot, it worked ... then later I switched back to AI Servo and then it did not work. ....

Williams was kind enough to help me then as well - THANKS


and yes - it DID forc me to READ the manuals. Actually scary to see all the other feutures that exists ....

[Ryan Drummond]

I shoot children so AI servo is what my camera stays on. I will admit to avoiding using my flash, prefering wide appertures and natural light.

Any hoo,
I have accepted an important assingment, I scouted the area I will be working in and in discussing with the client as to what is wanted I came to the conclusion that I will be shooting for the whole job's duration with my flash. I knew its not my most used kit so I set about using it, this showed up the AF assist problem and thus the thread.


My point is I am very happy for the help I recieved, it has relieved some tension on my side and has prevented me buying a 600 which is where I was heading as I was convinced my 580 was faulty, so all in all you guys saved me big time.

Thanks again
Ryan

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

bugger... the 600 would have been nice though!

[Chris F]

Sean would the 600 be able to provide AF Assist while in AI Servo? Or is this more a camera than flash setting ?

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Chris, I honestly don't know, my logic says no because of how it's supposed to work, but the boytjies over at canon is quite smart, so maybe it does. The 600 just looks like a cool gadget!