I would like to know if slaving (no cords) a 540EZ is possible. It doesn't slip into a Wein shoe slave because the prong contacts won't allow it. I don't know if Canon makes a PC connector end with their cords for multiple flash. A simple peanut slave hookup would do, or something like it.

-- Barry Pehlman (photo@chesco.com), February 14, 2001

Answers

My 540EZ fits into a Vivitar SL-2 and works fine. Of course this is in manual mode. Many Canon Speedlites and generic slave units (Wein, Vivitar, etc.) don't work together even if you can get them to mount. They often fire once and then lock up. This particular combination works for me however.

What always works is a Ikelite Lite-Link TTL slave. They are designed for the Canon Speedlites and allow wireless TTL metering if you have another Speedlite mounted on camera. You can also mount an older Auto Flash style light (Vivitar 283, etc.) on your camera and that flashes sensor will control the Lite-Link mounted 540EZ. You may not want the Auto or TTL feature but the Lite-Link is a very good , highly sensitive slave that works for all Canon Speedlites.

Ikelite has recently lowered their price to $100, shipping included, if you order directly from them. Try: http://www.ikelite.com/

-- Jim Strutz (jimstrutz@juno.com), February 14, 2001.