Will the 5DIII require 1 or 2 wireless receivers for my 580EXII

[UOduck23]

Like many of you I'm waiting for my tax return to splurge on the 5DIII (upgrade from my 40D). I recently bought the 580EXII speedlite and have been strictly using it mounted to the shoe on my camera. I'd like to start using my flash off camera and this is where I need some help. I think that the 5DIII and the new 680 speedlite will be able to transmit/receive from one another without any additional hardware such as two pocket wizards.

My question is if I get the 5DIII with its transmitting capabilities, will I be able to buy a single pocket wizard to act as a receiver for my 580EXII or is that technology proprietary to Canon? I bought my speedlite on sale for $400 and it would be cheaper for me to just buy one pocket wizard but if it's not compatible I think I'd be better off just selling the 580EXII and paying the difference to get the 680.

Thanks in advance for the insight/advice,

Omid

 

[Drizzt321]

Ah, far as I know, the 5d3 has no built-in wireless flash trigger, RF or IR. It was just that the RF master speedlite was announced at the same time.

 

[UOduck23]

Thanks Drizz,

I must've misunderstood.

 

[etx]

I use a Yongnuo ST-E2 clone and it works very well. Much cheaper also!

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Like many of you I'm waiting for my tax return to splurge on the 5DIII (upgrade from my 40D). I recently bought the 580EXII speedlite and have been strictly using it mounted to the shoe on my camera. I'd like to start using my flash off camera and this is where I need some help. I think that the 5DIII and the new 680 speedlite will be able to transmit/receive from one another without any additional hardware such as two pocket wizards.

My question is if I get the 5DIII with its transmitting capabilities, will I be able to buy a single pocket wizard to act as a receiver for my 580EXII or is that technology proprietary to Canon? I bought my speedlite on sale for $400 and it would be cheaper for me to just buy one pocket wizard but if it's not compatible I think I'd be better off just selling the 580EXII and paying the difference to get the 680.

Thanks in advance for the insight/advice,

Omid

The new wireless flashes and transmitters can control flashes by radio or by infra red for older flashes. But, you must mount one on your camera shoe (or with cord).

The camera body itself does not include a flash or radio to control external flashes, just the firmware to operate them.

There are third party units, but every time a new body is released, they seem to need firmware updates, so you need to verify that they work before buying one.

When the 5D MK II was released, for example, third party flashes were not compatible, including some pocket wizard models. Most were eventually updated.