580 EX II - Shows TTL and not ETTL on display

[DRNPhoto]

I am not sure if my 580 EX II needs to be reset(?) or if it has a problem. I purchased it new in December 2009 and it shows on the display the mode TTL and not ETTL. Cycling through the flash modes, Manual, etc. it does not display ETTL but TTL. I tried using it with my Pocket Wizards this past weekend and it refused to fire but my other 580 EX II had not issues via a duplicated setup, both being triggered by my Pocket Wizard mini. It was at this point that I realized that the flash was in TTL mode. Any thought? Thanks!

[SeedyBee]

Usually caused by a bad contact. Clean the contacts and rails on both camera shoe and flash foot. Check that screws are tight. Make sure the spring-loaded pins in the Speedlite are moving freely.

[DRNPhoto]

Thank you for the response SeedyBee! I am not sure what happened but it is now in ETTL mode. I had the batteries out of the unit for 3 days and just tried it back (turned it on, not sitting in any hot shoe like a EOS or PW) and it works.

[Trail-Seeker]

Just a little side note for you,,, If your flash head is roated left or right and is just a spec off of its click in points it won't fire. I have struggled with this until I finally figured it out. Takes me a while sometimes! Okay,, most of the time ...

[RobM]

Canon flashes do this when the batteries are low. When you put the new batteries in, that fixed your problem...

[Pip]

Ah, so Eneloops are the answer! On a side note, I've just ordered a 10m TTL cable which I'm told is the same as an ETTL cable... guess I'll find out soon! I bought it as I want to set up my 580exii onto HSS and use it to fire my 550EX and my 540EZ... have no idea if it'll all work but I'm looking forward to trying.

[Jarhead5811]

I didn't think the 540EZ (or any xxxEZ flash) would work in a Canon wireless environment. If you can make it work let us know how.

[forsooth]

Canon flashes do this when the batteries are low. When you put the new batteries in, that fixed your problem...

This is my first day on the forum and my first reply. Thanks Rob for your answer! I just got a FlexTT5 yesterday and was wrestling with the 580EX and couldn't get anything but TTL. Thanks for your suggestion. I'm gonna pass this one on to my mates!