580 EX and 430EX mod....

[Nickcanada]

So I moded my flashes so they have a 3.5mm input so I can trigger them without adapters. I fallowed these instructions.... http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=256447&highlight=sync+port

now all I need are some cybersyncs....


Here are the pictures....

The 580 EX is fairly easy to do. The plug fits easy enough in the flash.

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/IMG_0947.jpg

The 430 is much more tightly packed so I needed to hack it up a bit to make it fit....

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/IMG_0944.jpg

It's not pretty but hey, it was fun....

[DonSchap]

Hey, Nick ... what does that do to the "warranty" in Canada? Here in the "States", it usually spells "T-H-E E-N-D".

[Nickcanada]

Hey, Nick ... what does that do to the "warranty" in Canada? Here in the "States", it usually spells "T-H-E E-N-D".

Pfff, that one year warranty that covers everything except what actually might fail...

Plus I like doing stuff like this...

[michaelb]

Pretty cool Nick.

[adam75south]

that's badass, i might do that on my 580. warranty has been gone for years now.

[Rhys]

Or you could buy this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Terminal-HotShoe-PC-STROBE-Sync-Adaptor-as-AS15_W0QQitemZ190280223675QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Ca meras_Photographic_Accessories?hash=item1902802236 75&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 18|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50 and not void your warranty, reduce resale value and possibly damage something you didn't want to damage.

[Rooz]

very cool Nick. i love this sort of stuff !

[Mark_48]

Or you could buy this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Terminal-HotShoe-PC-STROBE-Sync-Adaptor-as-AS15_W0QQitemZ190280223675QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Ca meras_Photographic_Accessories?hash=item1902802236 75&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 18|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50 and not void your warranty, reduce resale value and possibly damage something you didn't want to damage.

?????
How does this device give the Speedlite itself a PC connection?

Had you meant something like this which I'm not sure would work correctly through a Speedlite hotshoe.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/89982-REG/Hama_HA_6952_Hot_Shoe_Adapter_2.html

Note Nick had said, ".....so I can trigger them without adapters"

[Rhys]

Hmm... Must've clicked on the wrong link...

Anyway, hotshoe-PC adaptors that the flash mounts on do exist and at $10 or less they're worthwhile.

[Nickcanada]

Well that is one more little piece for me to worry about and if I wanna go quickly from off camera to on camera that is one more step with an adapter. also if you think about it, that is a 10 dollar piece of plastic that you are trusting to support your flash unit. The way I've done it the factory support system is still intact and I don't have the hassle of adapters. I wouldn't suggest the mod to people who don't have experience soldering or with modifying things. It takes a certain amount of skill. I solder and work with mechanical things for a living so I felt comfortable doing this mod.

[cdifoto]

I modded my Vivitars with male (rather than female like you did Nick) 3.5mm for the same reason...I hate carrying extra adapters around, plus it's another possible fail point. I used the ends of old crappy headphones. The reason I did it this way is because I already had headphones handy, and I use splitters with female ends that go into the Skyports. I don't have the balls to modify my 580EX II.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/gear/2008-12-18-0002.jpg

[Mark_48]

......I don't have the balls to modify my 580EX II.

I'm not sure why you would want to (???), but I bet if you mailed it to Nick he'd be willing to perform the surgery for a reasonable fee.


580EX II....

[cdifoto]

It's a PC port Mark. Not a 3.5mm headphone jack. My 580EX II never comes off the camera though so it's a non-issue for me.

[Mark_48]

It's a PC port Mark. Not a 3.5mm headphone jack. My 580EX II never comes off the camera though so it's a non-issue for me.

I had bought a short male PC to 3.5mm plug cable to fire the 580EX II from my Skyport. Yes, I know it's a PC port.

For the 283's, I bought some 283 to PC cables off ebay and changed out the PC connector to a 3.5mm plug.

Is your Skyport rechargable still holding a charge well? I'm wondering how long they'll last before needing a replacement.

[cdifoto]

I hate PC ports. :p

Yeah so far so good on the receivers. I'm a little curious as well. I suspect it's a non-issue though.