Slaving "Dedicated" flashes with Firefly 2

[GatorCaver]

"IT CAN'T BE DONE!!!"

After spending $600 on a couple of very nice Canon (430 EX) dedicated flashes, I learned that Firefly 2 slaves would not trigger them. This was due to the 7 separate electrical contacts on the hot shoe. I had originally used them slaved to an ST-E2 infrared transmitter, but the range of this device was limited to about 30'. I did not want to have to buy two more flashes to replace these, so I found a solution: take an off-camera TTL shoe cord, cut the cable and splice into the black and white wires, leaving the others unconnected. Connect this to the two leads on the FIrefly 2 (doesn't matter which) and BAM! you now have a Firefly-slaved dedicated flash. Warning: the use of the two wires mentioned above are just my experience with Canon flashes- others brands may be entirely different. Hook a multi-tester to it before you try it. Also, keep in mind that most TTL cords cost in the neighborhood of $50-$60. It's a quite expensive "adapter", but if you really like your flashes, then it's a good substitute. Hope this helps anyone with the same problem.

[NZcaver]

Your flash/firefly compatibility problem sounds familiar. Apparently the Vivitar 285 has similar problems, discussed at length in this previous topic. Thanks for sharing your solution.