Author Topic: Flash compatibility? (Read 6003 times)

ShadySue · « **on:** September 05, 2012, 19:38 »

OK, I nearly don't use flash, but I have a Sigma EF-500 DG Super which I had used on-camera twice on a local night festival years ago on my old 350D. Then I discovered a couple of weeks ago it doesn't work reliably with the 5DMkII, though it does work with the 40D. (I emailled Sigma who confirmed its incompatibility with the 5D2. They said if it was a v2 it could b made compatible, but as it doesn't say it's a v2, I have to assume it isn't)
So I bought a Canon 430 EXII.
I can get either one of them to work wirelessly off the 40D, but can't get them to work together, i.e. to go off at the same time. (Both receivers are working independently, so I don't think that's the problem.)
I also can't seem go get them to master/slave optically.
It's probably me, as I haven't a clue about this stuff, but I do have the Canon Speedliter's Handbook, which is goodish, but sometimes seems to miss out steps for the totally clueless, as does Strobist.
Anyway, can anyone tell me if they should work together (either wirelessly off the 40D, or optically master/slave), in which case I'll stick at it until I get it worked out, or if there's no way, therefore I'll try to sell the Sigma and get another Canon eventually. No point in wasting time and getting frustrated it if just can't work.
TIA

sgoodwin4813 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2012, 19:55 »

I had a similar problem with the 600D. I was trying to use a 580EX speedlight as a master with another speedlight (430EX) as a slave and one or two Flashpoint monolights on sensor. All of the lights would fire, just not when the shutter was open so all I got was black images. I tried every variation I could think of and occasionally they would work, then go back to black images. Drove me completely crazy. I think it is a problem of synchronization of the shutter with the lights - the flashes don't seem to trigger until after the shutter has closed (or maybe before it opens). Looked online and couldn't find anything helpful. I'm not good with flash anyway and never did figure it out. Eventually I just bought three monolights - fire one from the camera and the other two on sensor and they work every time.

Sorry I can't be more helpful - I'd love to know the solution if anyone can figure it out. Good luck!

w7lwi · « **Reply #2 on:** September 05, 2012, 20:02 »

I've noticed on my 5D II that the sync speed is slower when using wireless or optical triggers. Sometimes I can get away with 1/200 but more often than not I have to go to 1/160 to have everything flash while the shutter is open. Full sync speed is fine for my 550EX when attached to the camera. But when triggering multiple Flashpoint monolights, either optically or wireless, I have to reduce the shutter speed.

ShadySue · « **Reply #3 on:** September 05, 2012, 20:08 »

Quote from: w7lwi on September 05, 2012, 20:02

I've noticed on my 5D II that the sync speed is slower when using wireless or optical triggers. Sometimes I can get away with 1/200 but more often than not I have to go to 1/160 to have everything flash while the shutter is open. Full sync speed is fine for my 550EX when attached to the camera. But when triggering multiple Flashpoint monolights, either optically or wireless, I have to reduce the shutter speed.

Not sure if this is relevant?
http://strobist.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/know-your-sync.html

My specific problem is that although both flashes work if I'm only testing one of them, each using different receivers, only one will flash, I can't get them both to flash with one 'click'. (All I'm doing is putting them down somewhere then clicking the shutter. I'm not actually at the shooting 'something' stage yet.)

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #4 on:** September 05, 2012, 23:38 »

The 430 EX II can be a slave but not a master, so I don't think you can do what you want without either PocketWizards or a different flash to act as master

Pixart · « **Reply #5 on:** September 06, 2012, 02:07 »

First a disclaimer that I don't know anything about a single piece of equipment you are asking about...

And I'm not sure if you have a flash in hotshoe which is commanding the 2nd flash?

Is there anything automatic that is sending a pulse of light? Like a pop up flash, a redeye removal, or a pulse of light that assists focussing in dark situations and messing up the timing of your slave?

I have given up shooting TTL with my Nikon speedlights, if in a bright situation (outdoors on a bright day) the flashes will not fire. Have you tried this setup in more than one ambient lighting situation?

And there is nothing interfering with the sensor on the slave? Gaffer tape, dirt, modifiers. Does it fire when the sensor is pointed right at the flash?

Have you tried fresh batteries in each piece? The whole process really starts to break down when one flash or pocketwizard is low. Flashes recycle at different rates depending on the battery power remaining. One will stop firing with the shutter, but when I push the test button it looks to be in perfect unison to my eye. And of course the main is likely brighter so it would naturally run low on batteries first.

The last thing to check is the power saving features. The flashes might power down automatically to save battery. The Nikons will fire when in power down so you think you got the shot, we see the flash pop - but I look at the LCD there's no light. The lower the batteries the quicker they seem to move into this saving mode.

Hopefully I'm not way off topic here

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Author Topic: Flash compatibility? (Read 6003 times)

ShadySue

sgoodwin4813

w7lwi

ShadySue

Jo Ann Snover

Pixart

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