2

I'm currently in the limbo phase of converting my system to Sony…but meanwhile I need to work with my current collection of Canon speedlights. I'm having trouble understanding exactly which trigger system to purchase that can allow off-camera use of my Canon speedlights from my Sony A7iii camera bodies. The Godox system looks decent and affordable, but I can't find a definite answer on whether or not the receivers are camera-specific or strobe-specific.

For example, I'd be getting the Godox XPro-S transmitter, but for the receivers do I get the X1R-S (for Sony "cameras") or the X1R-C (for Canon "cameras") since I know that the hotshoes are different for Canon and Sony specific strobes? Or does that not matter? Any help is appreciated!

Improve this question
1
  • What Canon units do you have? They might be worth keeping even without HSS or TTL metering.
    – xiota
    Mar 20, 2021 at 20:44

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2

The only triggering system where you can use legacy OEM TTL speedlights cross-brand is the Cactus V6II X-TTL system. However, Cactus may be out of the photographic gear business. And the entire system consists of the transceivers and two single-pin speedlights that cannot do TTL/HSS on any camera hotshoe; they can only do TTL/HSS as off-camera radio slaves. There are no larger lights in the system.

Godox does not allow you to use legacy OEM TTL speedlights cross-brand with TTL and HSS. The X1R receiver is dedicated to a single brand, and only delivers TTL/HSS with a same-brand camera, transmitter, and flash.

So, for example, you can only get TTL/HSS with a Godox XPro-C on a Canon camera hotshoe, with a 580EX II on an X1R-C. Trying to use an XPro-S on a Sony camera hotshoe with the X1R-C would be manual communication. You would definitely have sync, and you'd probably have group on/off control, but remote power control, TTL, and HSS are improbable (I've seen various conflicting reports of what function you would have).

The X1R-S would be if you were using a Sony HVL speedlight with an XPro-S on a Sony camera hotshoe.

What is cross-brand in the Godox system are the transceivers or receivers built into Godox strobes. So, if, for example, you had gotten a Godox TT685-C as your Canon speedlight, that could be used as a TTL/HSS radio slave to an XPro-S on your Sony camera. I use a TT685-C that way with an XPro-C on my Canon 5DMkII, an XPro-F on my Fuji X100T, and an XPro-O on my Panasonic GX7:

LCD screen of TT685-C used from -C, -F, and -O transmitters

Whatever goes directly on the hotshoe of the camera (transmitter, speedlight) has to match the brand of the camera, though.

Generally with Godox, it's a matter of swapping your legacy flashes for Godox lights. It may be best to sell your Canon flash gear, and get Godox gear for Sony instead.

Improve this answer
7
  • Nothing unique about Cactus, everyone might be getting out of the photographic gear business. Even Olympus. If it works, it works. Of course everyone's definition of "works" varies.
    – Bob Macaroni McStevens
    Mar 18, 2021 at 20:06
  • @BobMacaroniMcStevens, I was going on something a little more solid and immediate, but since Cactus themselves haven't formally announced it, and you can still buy the V6IIs, I used the subjunctive.
    – inkista
    Mar 19, 2021 at 5:16
  • Thanks. That looks like it.
    – Bob Macaroni McStevens
    Mar 19, 2021 at 6:18
  • 1
    @BobMacaroniMcStevens. No worries. I've edited my statement to be a bit stronger with a direct link to that post.
    – inkista
    Mar 19, 2021 at 20:24
  • 2
    Nikon called them 'Speedlights', Canon called them 'Speedlites', as did Ricoh (Pentax), but apparently no one ever applied for intellectual property rights on either term. It's all covered in this answer here at Photo SE.
    – Michael C
    Mar 20, 2021 at 3:29

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.