“Why does changing flash settings on my Speedlite transmitter not instantly show on the remote Speedlite?”
Amanda Fielden, Wolverhampton
BRIAN SAYS… This is a common confusion, and has been noticed more frequently since some independent brands have adopted an alternative method in which the setting on the transmitter is instantly reflected on the remote flash. Canon’s wireless flash system sends the required settings for mode, power and sync just before the photo is captured. It is also sent when the test button is pressed on the transmitter. This is because the system is designed for the possibility of multiple photographers with transmitters, or sender units, working with the same remote flashes. Since the system works the same for optical and radio wireless triggering, it means that when changes are made on the sender, there’s no need for an optical signal from the on-camera sender to flash each time a change is made.
