Profoto B1 or D1 triggering the Canon 600 EX-RT Speedlites

July 05, 2014 • 11 Comments

Hi everyone,

I wanted to let the photographers seeking info on using the Profoto B1 or D1 with the Canon 600EX-RT Speedlites that I found a solution.

When I first bought my Profoto B1 Kit I figured 2 lights were enough and if I needed a rim light or two I could use my Canon 600EX-RT’s in optical mode for the Profoto’s to trigger them. After much research I found that the Canon EX Speedlites are only compatible with each other in optical. (BUMMER).

I began researching to see if I can use a flash slave trigger to do the job and after much research including B&H and Adorama the reviews were stating that the products they bought did not work with the Canon EX series Speedlites.

I found this product on Amazon and ordered two of them:

Canon Flash Slave Trigger

I received them today (7-5-14) and immediately tested them on my Speedlite using the Profoto B1 to trigger it. It worked Flawlessly ! Not only did it work great but I was able to keep the Speedlite on radio mode (not slave mode) so I could control the flash output with my Canon ST-E3-RT Transmitter while handheld, and it worked seamlessly with no problems triggering the Speedlite at the power I set on the Transmitter manually.

Mind you, this is all working while I have the Profoto Air remote TTL-C on camera controlling the Profoto lights.

To give you an example, I have the Profoto lights at a power setting of 5 and the speedlites as rim lights at 1/4 power. I can lower or raise the profoto light power on camera from the remote and lower or raise the power on the speedlites from the Canon ST-E3-RT controller while holding it in my hand.

The only thing you can not do is turn the speedlite off with the remote. The flash slave trigger connected to the speedlite will still see the light and trigger the flash.

I’ve included photos of the product and packaging to help those searching for it a bit easier. Amazon still has the product as well.

JSYK Series Flash Slave Trigger for Canon EX Speedlites by JJC Photography Equipment.

Keywords: b1, canon, Canon600ex, canonslavetrigger, creative, portrait, Profoto, ProfotoB1, wedding

Comments

Framedelegance Photography

Thanks Scott, but I prefer using the profoto lights as the main lights and control those with the Profoto TTL trigger on camera instead of the other way around. The speed lights are used as hair lights, background lights or for special effects lighting. The profoto lights are too expensive to be using in slave mode.

Scott(non-registered)

BTW, just for giggles, if you use your 600's with the ST-E3-RT on camera you can simply set your Profoto's to slave mode and avoid purchasing any triggers what-so-ever. Of course you will be limited to manual on both but save zillions. ;P

Scott(non-registered)

Guys, your problem is that the pre flash is triggering your 600's before. So it's really a sync issue. If you use all your flashes in manual mode there will be no pre flash and all flashes should sync up. When you shoot in ttl, that flash will send out a pre flash to measure the amount of light needed before the primary flash. of course this happens within nano seconds so you don't realize it's happening. So if your not using a hand held meter, then I would first get your primary flash where you want it using TTL, then switch it to manual.

Framedelegance Photography

Hi Michael, thanks for your input. If that works for you thats a good thing. The issue is that the B1 is too much of an expensive light to use as slave light for fill or other uses. This light should be the main and the speed lights as fill or special Effect where needed, if you only have one B1.

This is the way I use the lights and actually use my speed lights as fill or special lighting effect. I have found that if you use the triggers I mentioned in my blog, you can put the flash in Manual mode and Effectively change the power settings from your St-E3-RT controller while in your hand and not on camera. It actually works really good. I have the Profoto Air TTL-C remote on camera controlling the main light and the whole set up works awesome.

I just received a new profoto 1.3 x 2 softbox for fathers day and was testing it out last night. I decided to use one of my speedlites to fill a bit of the shadows and began adding gels and the results were pretty interesting. I'll try and post some images for you to see in the coming week.

Thanks again, Rick.

michael depaula(non-registered)

I've flipped the problem around: i shoot with 4 speedlites (controlled by a canon ST-E3-RT) AND ADDED THE B1 LATER. SINCE I DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE TO BUY THE PROFOTO AIRTTL TRIGGER (WHICH I CAN'T USE WITH MY SPEEDLITES UNLESS I BUY A RECEIVER FOR ALL OF THEM), I JUST USE THE B1 AS A SLAVE AS WELL, HOOKING UP A YONGNUO YNE3-RX to it as an optical sync accessory). now I can shoot all of my lights and control all output from the st-e3-rt except for the b1 which is manual (which my primary light usually is). the issue will change if/when i want to shoot the b1 with ttl/hss, but i'm not needing that just yet.

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Profoto B1 or D1 triggering the Canon 600 EX-RT Speedlites

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Rick Garcia, Wedding and Portrait Photographer based in the Riverdale area of the Bronx, New York serving all 5 boroughs and the adjoining counties.