On Mon, Sep 24, 2012 at 2:31 PM, Christine Nielsen <[email protected]> wrote: > On Mon, Sep 24, 2012 at 12:35 PM, Bruce Walker <[email protected]> wrote: >> Can't help specifically with the system glitch, but I wonder if >> there's any chance the flash was the problem. > > Yes, I was thinking along those lines, too... I usually just use the > flash off-camera indoors, and I've never had an issue with the > wireless firing. Outside, in the middle of the track, though, found > I didn't have much range - couldn't get too far from the light stand & > still get the flash to fire. I wonder if the reflect-y silver lining > of the softbox gets in the way of the flash/camera communication...?
For sure it does. For best range I've used another 540 on-camera in controller mode to blast a pulse at the remote 540. Big waste of a good flash though. I'd rather employ it as a hair or rim light. The best softbox for doing this is the kind that leaves the flash outside of it. Then you can swivel the body so the red detector window is pointing toward your camera. $50 for a 24" popup one from Fotodiox. > And I did think maybe I should try some radio triggers... what kind > did you get? Whenever I start to think about getting some, I first > reason that I can rule out Pocket Wizards... But then, how cheap do > you go? I've considered the Paul C Buff triggers... but maybe ebay > triggers are just fine...? I'm really happy with the Cowboy Studios NPT-04 kit; I have two of them. One trigger, two receivers for $32: http://www.cowboystudio.com/product_p/npt-04+extra%20receiver.htm They work for a great distance, and work fine at 1/160th sync speed. I order them from Amazon. Here's a critical thing though: clean all the contacts, battery and hotshoe, thoroughly with electrical contact cleaner before any use. They are quite sensitive to dirty contacts and will misfire badly if you don't clean them. I keep some Q-tips with an aerosol can of Hosa DeoxIT. And bring spare AAA dry cells for the receivers. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
