High speed sync Long cable Canon

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

04/12/2010 04:02:49 PM · #1

Whats the best solution to trigger a canon flash in highspeed sync mode?
Use a cable? and how long a cable can I get?

Or wireless? My alienbees cybersync does not sync above 1/250. Is there another trigger that does highspeed sync?

david_c

Canon EOS-7D

04/12/2010 04:13:35 PM · #2

A 580EX II on the shoe will act as a master (but you obviously need a second 580EX II if you want to be off-camera). The Canon ST E2 also allows HSS, and from what I gather the new 7D built-in wireless allows for HSS (although I have not tried it, yet).

04/12/2010 04:37:02 PM · #3

Do you think the 580exii can command a 480ex? If not, the best alternative is the ST E2

04/12/2010 04:49:43 PM · #4

On the how long.... If you search on the strobist flickr pool, someone there did a cat5 extension to make it long long - I forget but it was more then any real extension could get... You can buy official longer extensions but consult with your bank manager first.

Cybers certainly DO sync about 1/250 but your camera is another deal. I run it at 1/320 pretty often and I saw posted results of 1/1500 ish. I don't know about the 40D but the 20D and the 7D both sync above the advertised 1/250 if you make sure it's not aware of the flash.

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

04/12/2010 05:00:28 PM · #5

Originally posted by dmadden:

Do you think the 580exii can command a 480ex?

I've used a 580ex to trigger a 420ex, so it shouldn't be a problem. FYI- Canon's wired remote extender is 33ft.

PhotoDave

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

04/12/2010 05:51:00 PM · #6

Originally posted by robs:

...but the 20D and the 7D both sync above the advertised 1/250 if you make sure it's not aware of the flash.

um ok how lol :) Id love to know this

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

04/12/2010 07:05:20 PM · #7

Originally posted by PhotoDave:

um ok how lol :) Id love to know this

Don't believe me try it yourself.... Put a cable in the pc port with the other end in a 580 or whatever hotshoe flash you got(MOST studio strobes have other complications at lower power but IGBT strobes fire shorter durations as the power lowers so are fine for this test) and fire manual frames starting from 1/200 up.... Look for yourself if you see the second curtain (black bar) or not (you will need a bit of light or fire into the strobe itself)....

You can substitute radio triggers BUT some of them add a delay themselves so you will not see this... The cyber can handle speeds far faster then where you will see the curtain.

IF you put a Canon (or compatible) flash on the hot shoe then it limits it to 1/250...... probably just a marketing decision not to fall too far into 1-series sales... who knows (unless you set FP obviously). This and the glossy mags make people believe that 1/250 is really the limit.

I see a full frame (pardon the pun but a full crop frame for the 7D) at 1/320 and the curtain starts stealing space from 1/400 up but is not completely covering the frame up for another stop or two higher.

PhotoDave

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

04/12/2010 09:38:37 PM · #8

no no I did believe you but wanted to know how you were doing that, Ill have to try that when I get a chance. Thanks for the info :)

04/12/2010 10:27:37 PM · #9

I tried in the past and can push it with the cybersync to 1/320. But thats not high enough sync for when I shoot in the day.
At $225, the st-e2 is almost as much as a 430ex flash. Would be better for me to save some more and get a 580ex ii when I can afford it. Commander and weatherproof more powerful flash.

04/12/2010 10:44:54 PM · #10

Yeah it's a PITA alright... I would go for a 580 over that ste2 thing anyday as it's another flash and as you say not that much more dosh. Catch is that you need a 580 (or an older 550, which might be a good option if you can flee-bay one) for the master. If you don't need the power then a 430 is a good option but chances are you want the more powerful flash off camera anyway in a softbox/brolly or something so I would just go straight to a 580 if you want to keep the eTTL mode for the HSS.

You could always hit one of the compat flashes to save some $$.... The sigma has it's followers but I would avoid them as Canon seems to want to play with protocols now and then... god they cannot even keep full compatibility on their own recent flashes let alone someone elses... => queue some grumble about the 580mk1 and the newer bodies...

Ever thought of a G11 or classic 1D to get an electronic shutter? - I know I have :-) Guess there is ND on the camera but you run out of flash juice fast.

04/18/2010 11:10:13 PM · #11

Originally posted by robs:

Ever thought of a G11 or classic 1D to get an electronic shutter? - I know I have :-) Guess there is ND on the camera but you run out of flash juice fast.

Hey Rob! What do u mean by getting an optional body? Do u think those bodies can sync faster than 1/800. I'm looking for serious HSS like 5000. I'm shooting a 50mm prime sometimes at f1.6 in the sun and getting good shallow DOF results from HSS. Before this I used to cybersync and shoot 200mm midday lighting just to get some shallow DOF. And worse the model could'nt hear me shouting instructions. The next thing I'm going to start doing is bouncing reflectors.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

04/18/2010 11:52:20 PM · #12

Those Gxx models don't have a mechanical shutter and can sync a LOT faster.... I am not 100% sure what max speed they will sync with but I know it's fast - Hit up the strobist board as someone would know the highest figure but I would say it would be way over 1/800 but you have a smaller sensor so the DOF will also increase which is bad for what your after.

The orig 1D has a hybrid shutter and was CCD based not CMOS so can sync very fast as well because it stops the mechanical shutter and grabs slices from the CCD.

At some point you will start cutting off bits of the flash duration depending on the flash your using so might not get all the light the flash is putting out....

MattO

Nikon D4

04/19/2010 12:10:16 AM · #13

Originally posted by robs:

The original 1D can sync at 1/1000 or so with the Cybersyncs. At least that has been my experience with them.

Matt

04/19/2010 12:39:11 AM · #14

That G11 would'nt work for me, I did find a complete 24ft ettl cable here on flash zebra.
I guess I could use that for highspeed sync until I get the 580. If they get it back in stock. When are the canon rebates by the way?

04/19/2010 12:52:41 PM · #15

Does the wireless triggering of the 7d/580ex to 580/430flash work well in mid-day sun?

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

04/19/2010 10:41:27 PM · #16

bump

david_c

Canon EOS-7D

04/20/2010 07:08:49 AM · #17

Originally posted by dmadden:

Does the wireless triggering of the 7d/580ex to 580/430flash work well in mid-day sun?

Iffy, at best. The 7D relies on a pre-flash to communicate, and definitely has a limited range as a result. The alternative of an ST-E2 (or 580EX II as master-flash) uses an IR pulse, also dicey in the bright sun outdoors. Radio triggers would probably be the most reliable method...Pocket Wizards or Radio Poppers, but I dunno if you're going to get 1/1000 out of them.

bobonacus

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

04/20/2010 07:28:24 AM · #18

Originally posted by david_c:

Originally posted by dmadden:
Does the wireless triggering of the 7d/580ex to 580/430flash work well in mid-day sun?

Iffy, at best. The 7D relies on a pre-flash to communicate, and definitely has a limited range as a result. The alternative of an ST-E2 (or 580EX II as master-flash) uses an IR pulse, also dicey in the bright sun outdoors. Radio triggers would probably be the most reliable method...Pocket Wizards or Radio Poppers, but I dunno if you're going to get 1/1000 out of them.

I've used the ST-EII in the sun and pretty hit and miss, I didn't try just using the 7d pre flash though.

I now have pocket wizards and I can get flash sync at 1/8000 with a pair of 580 ex II's on the pocket wizards

04/20/2010 09:39:48 AM · #19

Sure RP or th new wizards will support eTTL if you have some cash (also be careful of th pathetic results some US canon users are getting with the 580 & rf noise - unless you use the condoms or whatever the latest "fix" is).....

While it's nice to get some commander style stuff from canon.... The 7D pop-up will NOT support HSS or second curtain.... I don't see any technical reason for that (although the pop-up is pretty low powered).... probably a marketing/cripple thing to sell other stuff.

04/21/2010 04:09:57 PM · #20

I looked at the Ettl alternative. You can get Ettl 1/500 hypersync which is a PW technology and it uses less power than HSS. After 1/500/600 whichever your camera supports it can go into canons HSS automatically, up to 1/8000. I saw some pictures, it actually lights the subject at 1/6000 in the pic I saw. I'm stunned. Shooting wide open at f2.0 midday with shallow DOF. If I got the TT1 transmitter and the TT5 for the flash, I could be up and running ETTL full Hypersync/HSS with one 430ex. They say it currently works best with the 430exii and has major range issues with the 580exii. So now I have to watch the progress of the PW TTs. Only draw back is you need a 580 or ST-e2 if u want to manuall dial down the power on the remote flash. But at least its doable.

05/06/2010 10:11:29 PM · #21

Using the TT5 with the flash, how does the ETTL system know how to calculate flash power based on where the flash is placed. Does it preflash?

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

05/06/2010 10:46:23 PM · #22

for $50 you can cord it:

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or if you don't need ettl, only $15:

//flashzebra.com/screwlock_pc_fivemeter/0034.shtml