Canon 580ex "pops" in a baad way

Caroline, you should try to set the camera on "M" and the flash in 2nd curtain flash sync.

Or set flash in ATG wireless IR ETTL Slave modes and pop-up the flash on Canon EOS-70D.

Truly,
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Bruce,
Try these steps:
1. Set camera to manual2. Set shutter to 1/60
3. Set aperture to F5.6
4. ASA/ISO 200
5. 550EX on hotshoe
6. Do not set on slave or master
7. Turn on flash


Display must shows, ETTL.
If that doesn't work, you have to use the flash on manual.
Some of this model will not work fully on ATG Canon EOS-1D C, ATG Canon EOS-1D X IR, Canon EOS-1D X/60D/T4i because this flash is over 20 years old.


Unless you would want it to be modified by me.
But that can be costly when you can get the 580EX II for less than $425.00 USD.


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Are you formatting the card in the camera or in the computer? It should be done in the camera.

580EX:
http://downloads.canon.com/cpr/software/camera/580EX.pdf

580EX II:
http://downloads.canon.com/cpr/software/camera/Speedlite-580EXII.pdf

Hello,
Usually if my flash isn't firing I check to see if the flash is mounted into the hotshoe properly. I take it off the camera, put it back on and tighten it down then test it.
If that doesn't work then check the display of the flash and see what mode you are on or if the display is flashing. If it is flashing then the wide angle adapter may be covering the flash which you will need to take off and put back inside the flash. It's that white plastic tab that slides in and out of the flash head.
Hopefully that will fix it.
-Matt

It would appear to me that the flash was not locked in position and has move back on its mount which would cause the flash to go into complete manual mode or loose complete communications between camera and flash.
I would suggest shutting the camera and flash off remove the flash first unlock the little locking leaver on the bottom. The 580EX and the 580EX II differ in that the 580EX II has a leaver rather then the huge locking screw. Once apart reinsert the flash unit back into the camera hot shoe making sure that the forward edge of the flash mount is seated as deep into the Hot Shoe as possible and lock it into position. It should click into lock position. Biggest thing I have with my "crew" is when there is a flash installed on the camera they pick the camera/flash unit up by the flash that's a real bad thing cause the flash mount is light plastic and it'll ether break, twist or even unlock the flash enough that the camera falls off of the flash. Pick the assembly up with both hands lens and body. I'm not saying you are doing this but when my crew/working associate's do this I'm not happy.
Although that new switch idea is great it also can be unlocked without noticing.
Diagram

When the flash mode TTL. Then this situation can occur if the proximity is working with other studio flash light traps. Your work makes flash another flash while TTL metering. And when is your main flash another flash did not have time to recharge.

The 400D uses flash assisted focusing. In low light conditions the auto focus cannot get a focus lock so it pops the flash a few times so the lens has a chance to focus. You will notice this will go away when in the manual focus mode (the switch on the side of the lens).

The only way around this problem (as people in a photo think the photo has already been taken and looks away when the camera actually takes the picture) is to use a hotshoe mounted TTL Canon Speedlight (430ex or 580ex) which use an infra-red focussing beam.

Set camera:

Single shot mode not servo/C modes
Focus sensor set for center
Make sure exp. comp is not set on -(minus) side.
Make sure your subject is locked on and not moving out of the autofocus (center) sensor.

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You might want to try NON rechargeable batteries, particularly "digitally" rated alkalines. If this won't do it, I'd take it to get looked at.