Using a Speedlite 270 EX II off-camera with a T3i

[visualsplat]

I want to use my Speedlite as an off-camera strobe, so I got:
- a Vello Hotshoe Adapter w/ Topshoe (Vello Hot Shoe Adapter with PC Socket + Top Shoe - HSA-PSC B&H ) for the Speedlite
- a Vello Universal Hot Shoe Adapter (Vello Universal Hot Shoe Adapter for PC Connection HSA-PCU B&H ) to put on my camera
- and a Male PC to Male PC sync cord (Impact Sync Cord - Male PC to Male PC - 6' (1.8 m) 10032370 B&H ) to connect the two.

But my camera won't display the external flash menu, saying the flash in incompatible or its power is turned off (and the power is turned on). What might I be doing wrong?
Thanks!

 

[qleak]

page 182 of your camera's manual

Double check your camera has the External Flash func setting switched to Manual Flash. The E-TTL II setting will not work with this sort of sync cable setup. For that you'd need a canon compatible TTL flash sync cable.

 

[qleak]

I just noticed you're using a Speedlite 270 EX II, I don't think it's capable of manual flash mode.

You're probably better off using the wireless master function of your camera to trigger the flash optically.

 

[visualsplat]

I just noticed you're using a Speedlite 270 EX II, I don't think it's capable of manual flash mode.

You're probably better off using the wireless master function of your camera to trigger the flash optically.

Yeah, my Speedlite doesn't have a manual mode, just an On/Off/Wireless switch. Since it doesn't have a manual mode, is it even possible to sync to the camera? I've been using the wireless mode to optically trigger it like you said, but I am not a huge fan of it.

 

[qleak]

Yeah, my Speedlite doesn't have a manual mode, just an On/Off/Wireless switch. Since it doesn't have a manual mode, is it even possible to sync to the camera? I've been using the wireless mode to optically trigger it like you said, but I am not a huge fan of it.

Yes, but you'd need a canon compatible TTL cable, the strobist kinda setup only works for manual flash.

Hang onto your PC cord kit though, it could still come in handy manual only flashes can be pretty good and are cheap

 

[visualsplat]

Yeah, my Speedlite doesn't have a manual mode, just an On/Off/Wireless switch. Since it doesn't have a manual mode, is it even possible to sync to the camera? I've been using the wireless mode to optically trigger it like you said, but I am not a huge fan of it.

Yes, but you'd need a canon compatible TTL cable, the strobist kinda setup only works for manual flash.

Hang onto your PC cord kit though, it could still come in handy manual only flashes can be pretty good and are cheap

Good to know! Thanks for your help.