optical trigger - studio strobes question

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

01/09/2007 05:23:40 PM · #1

A while ago i was in a studio that had strobes set up. They were triggered optically. On the camera I would connect a little blue cube to the flash hot shoe and that i guess flashed a little to make the strobes flash so i didn't have to use a sync cord.

I can't find anything like that on bhphoto and have no idea what it was called but would like to buy one for my strobes. Anyone have an idea of what it was? I don't think it was infrared, as it was blue :) and i don't think the strobes had any infrared sensors... i wonder if it didn't send out some sort of pulse of light?????

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

01/09/2007 05:26:26 PM · #2

He was using wirless triggers. The most common are by PocketWizzards, but you can find similar, cheaper versions all over - ebay is a good start.

I just ordered a set from Alien Bees with will be here tomorrow! :)

fotomann_forever

01/09/2007 05:28:31 PM · #3

leaf, IMO radio triggers are a better way to go.

Here is a fairly inexpensive radio trigger system

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

01/09/2007 05:55:45 PM · #4

Optical slaves are fine in the studio, but on location, they can cause problems if someone else is using flash anywhere near you.

Wein Is a well-known manufacturer of optical triggers for strobes. If that's not exactly what you need, just search for "wein" on the B&H site.

Message edited by author 2007-01-09 17:56:00.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/10/2007 02:38:33 AM · #5

i realize that radio slaves are better but that was not my question.

I was wondering if anyone knows what that little blue box that attaches to the hot shoe mount could be.

it was NOT a radio transmitter
and i am quite sure it was not infra red

it was 1"X1" or 2.5cmX2.5cm nice and small

tcmartin

Canon EOS-40D

01/10/2007 03:00:05 AM · #6

I know of what you speak. I cannot remember exactly what they are and I do not have my resources available to me right this second, but I recall them being advertised in almost every Rangefinder magazine I have seen. That would be a good place to start.

01/12/2007 11:56:35 AM · #7

hmmm... don't have any rangefinder mags around :(

anyone else have sudjestions?