Fire speedlite 580ex with on camera flash (without transmitter)

Question

I have been looking at the instructions for the speedlite 580ex here for any idea how to fire the flash from the built in camera flash, but it has not helped.

Does anybody know if it is possible to fire it with a cameras in built flash?

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edit
I'm not sure if this has been read incorrectly. If I am not mistaken the flashgun can recognise when a flash goes off (a peak in light) and fire its own flash also?

I was watching a video on youtube where a buzz lightyear camera fired a remote flash gun, by its own flash firing.

Answer 1

The flash in question doesn't have an optical slave, as far as I can tell, it only supports Canon's proprietary wireless flash system. If you want the flash to fire when it detects light, you'll need a small optical trigger. These are about $10 here in Toronto, Canada. Attach it to the flash hot shoe, turn on the flash, and fire another flash at it.

If you want greater flexibility without Canon's speedlite transmitter, you'll need wireless triggers like the Cactus v5, pocket wizard, etc.

Answer 2

You'll need to check your camera instructions.

Only the newer Canon DSLRs (eg 7D, 60D) have the built in flash able to work as a Speedlite transmitter.

If you've not got one of the more recent cameras, you'll have to consider other options for triggering a remote flash (eg ST-E2, another 580, or - if you can accept manual only flash - an optical slave or one of the several wireless transmitter / receiver combinations that are available).

Answer 3

That function is provided by the camera body, not the flash.

If I am not mistaken, currently only the 7D, 60D and 650D offer that feature.

We can expect to see this feature on most upcoming Canon DSLRs with a built-in flash, too. (5D and 6D does not has a built-in flash)