Since the global response for Black Lives Matter, many industries, including photography, have been shifting for the better. So, it's welcome news that Canon has officially dropped their master/slave terminology.
The terms "master" and "slave" used to be and in some cases still are commonplace in photography, especially when it comes to flash units. A master flash gun usually controls the trigger of another flash gun called the slave. This technique is used to synchronize multiple off-camera flash devices and is commonly used instead of wireless (or wired) triggers to either save time or money.
Flash guns set to master can be used to trigger other flash guns set to slave mode where wireless triggers, like this Godox XProN TTL, aren't used.
I spoke recently about my reservations with the master/slave terminology and some other issues I had with specific terms within the photographic community. I've since been in touch with Canon who confirmed, much to my surprise, that they've actually dropped the master and slave terms. In fact, they dropped them around the end of 2017. Here's what a Canon Europe Spokesperson had to say:
Canon started to phase these [terms] out since the end of 2017. [In] all new products and materials, these terms are no longer used. Products released before this time, and still available, will still have the term as it’s often a physical part of the LCD display so can’t be changed by firmware etc.
So, why then wasn't I aware of the terms being changed? I'm sure this is news to most of you as well. Well, they went on to say that the terminology change isn't yet immediately obvious to most customers because the terms are mostly used with flash guns, which are presumably less popular than the cameras and lenses. To compound this issue, the most popular flashes were launched pre-2018, so when customers use the manuals, the terms are still there.
The popular Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT speedlite was released in 2016, before Canon officially dropped the terms "master" and "slave."
Many photographers buy used gear, so will also not notice the terms change either on devices or in manuals for a little while, until the newer models start to drop in price and are more widespread in the secondhand community. But until then, at least it's good to know that Canon has dropped the terms. Who knows, maybe old manuals and flashguns will become more museum pieces, holding historic knowledge for the photographic community at large?
Well they can use Dom & sub then.
The irony of life. We change the words master and slave yet we still allow corporations to pay starvation wages and offer us poor health benefits so that CEOs can afford islands and yachts. Sometimes the things we fight for and demand seem like distractions to the true enslavement that is happening. This is not a critique of BLM which I 100% support. It is a rally call to the 99% to watch out for what the 1% tell us is important.
I only shoot in "Rainbow" or "Gray Scale" in hopes not to offend anyone.
Maybe it's me, but I'm more offended by the violence and destruction that comes from people in this "civilized society"
Good move by Canon. When there's a better way, choose the better way.
I'm a Nikon user, so I'm not affected.
Widger/Widgee
Will be changed to Dominant and Submission
lol... I'm sure the inanimate objects will feel so much happier on the job now.
still waiting for someone to get offended that black is always negative on jumper cables :p
If they just now "officially" dropped those terms, did they unofficially drop it previously?
In my mid sixties now, I have seen a lot of change in language and even nomenclature. Some I agreed with, some not. Some have made me think and and rethink and I learned.
This is nothing to get upset about. Or annoyed. Incensed...exasperated....vexed....peeved...
I fully understand Derek. Now that we shouldn't use the M word, the S word, the N word, the R word, the Q word, the D word, the G word, the A word, the C word...et cetera...et cetera...et cetera...
Dean (He, His Him)
IMHO if everyone would just MYOB and STFU then everything would be AOK.
Transmitter/ receiver
I am SO relieved.
I literally cannot roll my eyes into the back of my head far enough. Just keep following along because everything offends everyone. I am sure we will have safe spaces make a comeback soon too.
Also, make cameras for lefthanded people. I feel discrimimated against.
When are they going to stop using the term black & white photos because that just creates segregation.
I get Canon's reasoning. The problem with the 'cancel culture' is that it's never enough. There are people that think Mt. Rushmore should be dynamited. And when that's done, they'll want to level the Washington Monument, Monticello, the Lincoln Memorial, etc, etc.
And when it's all done, history still remains the same. At some point, there has to be an 'Enough Is Enough' movement.
The Godox XPro transmitter is labeled in the caption as for Nikon even though it isn't. The letter on the photo shows "C" which means its the Canon version of that transmitter.
Transmitter/Receiver is a perfect combo IMHO
As a black man, born and living in Africa, I don't get it, whats wrong worh the term "master" and "slave". I don't care, in fact, I prefer it.
This whole racism issue is really being blown out of proportion. We blacks dind it ok to discriminate against ourselves but when a different coloured person does it then its racism.
Until we learn to accept who we are (looking at you the blacks in America), as "Africans"and not "African-American", this is going no where. It's a complete waste of time.
Now back to the main topic, it's a word for crying out loud. Who every said a black person calling another black person a nigga, but honestly they say it among themselves as if there is nothing wrong till a white person says it. This is mind boggling.
I pray this whole thing get nowhere cause that's what it seems to me.
Master and Slave is fine for me, they should consider making it an option for those of us who prefer to use such terms do so, it's my human right as well.
You sound like a smart man. As far as I am concerned there are only two races, the decent and the indecent. You should have the right to do or say anything you like, so long as your rights don't deny the rights of others.
I am not woke enough to really care about this nomenclature. But that people get all hysterical because a camera company decides to drop the terms from its manuals is more than bizarre to me.
Alas..............(sigh)............quoting the Bard........tis "much ado about nothing". The changing the way we refer to how we speak is meaningless as it accomplishes absolutely nothing..............changing peoples attitude...........now there would be a more worthy cause.
Technically white color is "all hues". That's all hue need to know.
good pun
they haven't found out this exists yet but be ready when shit hits the fan
Watch for the next firmware update. ;-)
Just a matter of time before the term Master and Slave are removed from the lexicon. I wonder when MasterLock® will be forced to change the name of their company and products?
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/master-bedroom-real-estate-terminol...
Never be the best at baiting the hooks.
I guess my comment was removed because it was too “negative”? I don’t see it here anymore.
You people are out of your minds. Everyone's a crybaby these days and gets their feelings hurt. If you're using Wireless triggers for your cameras those have always been called transmitters and receivers. If you have a little photosensitive eye on the back of a strobe unit they have always been and always will be known as a slave