Sunpak 383 Sync port problems

[Timpani]

Hi everyone,

I seem to have a problem getting the sync port with the included proprietary cord to work and I was wondering if I was missing anything simple. I've gotten the flash to fire off-camera using both the following scenarios:

- hotshoe adapter on camera, hotshoe adapter on flash, pc sync extension
- hotshoe adapter on flash with wein peanut, on-camera flash

but I can't seem to get the flash to work using the included cord with a peanut nor the extension cord. I've tested the cord with a voltmeter to verify it's not damaged - am I missing anything, or is the sync port damaged? I have noticed that using a hotshoe adapter on the flash will not work if I have the included proprietary cord attached - is that by design?

Aside from the above issue, I've also noticed in the "hotshoe adapter on camera, hotshoe adapter on flash, pc sync extension" that the on-camera flash will fire in conjunction with the 383 (although they do fire in sync). Can I disable the built-in flash, and am I not scouring the manual thoroughly enough? :oops:

Thanks for your time!

[Curtis N]

I've also noticed in the "hotshoe adapter on camera, hotshoe adapter on flash, pc sync extension" that the on-camera flash will fire in conjunction with the 383 (although they do fire in sync). Can I disable the built-in flash, and am I not scouring the manual thoroughly enough?It would help to know what model camera you're using.

With the Canon DSLRs, in any creative mode you can pop-up the flash or push it back down to turn it on or off.

Sorry I can't help with the sync cord issue.

[Timpani]

Sorry about that, I deleted the model from my opening post in a moment of editorial genius. I'm using an xti - in manual mode, should the 383 still fire through the hotshoe-pc cord if the on-board flash is pushed down? I may have missed a scenario or two in my testing matrix, but I was fairly flustered trying to figure out why it wasn't working at all until I unplugged the dangling proprietary cord.

[Curtis N]

I'm using an xti - in manual mode, should the 383 still fire through the hotshoe-pc cord if the on-board flash is pushed down?Yes.

The only time you should pop up the built-in flash is when you actually intend to use it. The hotshoe is always "live".

[Timpani]

Thanks for all your help, Curtis. I think I might have to read through the manual a little more thoroughly - I've tried it again and seem unable to fire it without the on-board flash popped up and, while in the hotshoe, can't fire it without the flash button (that usually pops up the flash) depressed.

[Curtis N]

Ok, let's break this down to component pieces for diagnostics.

First, put the 383 on the camera hotshoe (built-in flash pushed down) and see if it fires. This should confirm that the hotshoe is working.

I'm thinking that your PC adapter (the one that connects to the flash) is actually an optical slave. It will fire the 383 in the presence of another flash. It might help if you posted a picture of the various components you're trying to use.

[FlashZebra]

Point 1
Unless you have the special version of the peanut that ignores the preflash, you will not be able to activate a flash connected to the peanut with the on camera flash in your Canon DSLR.

The on camera flash always produces a preflash.

Point 2
The Wein Peamut optical slave is notoriously unreliable. Personally I suspect the hybrid PC/Vivitar connected on the peanut is at fault, but I do not have solid information to be sure about my suspicions.

I attempted to personally study this issue in detail, but was unable to garner peanuts that were driving users fits for the study. In order to study why peanuts are bad, you actually have to have peanuts that are bad.

Point 3
The peanut should plug right into the short cord that comes with the 383, you should not need any hotshoe adapters. But, due to the many issues cited by peanut owners, just because it plugs in does not meant that it will actually work, or work in a reliable and consistent manner.

Point 4
There are other inexpensive optical slaves that you can use on your 383 that are likely to be far more reliable than the peanut. But, these other optical slaves will still not work due to the preflash issue cited in Point 1.

Enjoy! Lon

[Timpani]

Thanks for your patience.

I'm currently attempting to use the following with a 400D:
- Sunpak PC Male to PC Female Extension Cord REG (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/52944-REG/Sunpak_1793_PC_Male_to_PC.html)
- Sunpak 383 Super Auto Flash REG (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/52799-REG/Sunpak_0383_383_Super_Auto_Flash.html)
- Hama Hot Shoe Adapter 1 REG (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/89979-REG/Hama_HA_6951_Hot_Shoe_Adapter_1.html)
- Hama Hot Shoe Adapter 2 - Hot Shoe with PC (Male) Sync Cord REG (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/89982-REG/Hama_HA_6952_Hot_Shoe_Adapter_2.html)
- Wein PN Peanut Slave - Digital REG (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/263022-REG/Wein_W940001D_PN_Peanut_Slave_.html)

Also, I feel silly now that I've confirmed it's user error. The Hama Hot Shoe Adapter 1 that fits on the camera seems particularly fidgety to me as it doesn't seat all the way down in hot shoe to trigger properly. Adding some pressure to it with my finger allows it to fire as expected (and you can see the adapter tilt forwards about half a millimeter or so - having it tilt back is when it seems to fail). I assume that the on-camera flash, when popped up, provided just enough pressure for the contacts to touch. Sorry for being so unobservant before crying the sky is falling. :o

As for the peanut, thanks for the detailed diagnosis, FlashZebra! I haven't gotten far enough to test the reliability of the peanut (and I'm sure I'll run into similar problems as everyone else) but initially, I was using it just to test sync port with the included pc cord.

Usability aside, concerning Items 1/2, I can't confirm whether or not it fires at the right time (as you said, probably not, due to the preflash), but I can confirm that the peanut is "functioning" as it does trigger from the on-board trash when connected by Hot Shoe Adapter 2 (above).

Item 3 (connection by included pc cord) was my primary concern and I did read the other posts concerning peanut+cord reliability so I decided to test using using Hot Shoe Adapter 1 with the included pc cord. Of course, my test was flawed (as Curtis calmly walked me through) and now I can confirm that the sync port is working properly.

Which is all a long way of saying:
Curtis - thanks for your saintly patience while pointing out issues I should have triple-checked before anything else in my flawed testing process. I'll have to go find something to keep the adapter seated properly.

FlashZebra - it appears that the problem is just as you had stated in #3. Since that's (likely) sorted out, I'll go and catch up with the issues stated in #1 and #2 before following recommendation #4.

Thanks again, everyone!

[Curtis N]

The problem with the Hama adapter is not one I've read about before. Could it be that your camera's hotshoe is loose (this is a common occurance with Canon cameras)?

The Peanut slave in your link is the digital version which supposedly ignores the pre-flash and thus is designed to sync properly from an E-TTL unit. I have not seen any comprehensive reviews regarding their reliability, but Lon may have.

[FlashZebra]

Thanks for your patience.

I'm currently attempting to use the following with a 400D:
- Sunpak PC Male to PC Female Extension Cord REG (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/52944-REG/Sunpak_1793_PC_Male_to_PC.html)
- Sunpak 383 Super Auto Flash REG (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/52799-REG/Sunpak_0383_383_Super_Auto_Flash.html)
- Hama Hot Shoe Adapter 1 REG (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/89979-REG/Hama_HA_6951_Hot_Shoe_Adapter_1.html)
- Hama Hot Shoe Adapter 2 - Hot Shoe with PC (Male) Sync Cord REG (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/89982-REG/Hama_HA_6952_Hot_Shoe_Adapter_2.html)
- Wein PN Peanut Slave - Digital REG (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/263022-REG/Wein_W940001D_PN_Peanut_Slave_.html)

Also, I feel silly now that I've confirmed it's user error. The Hama Hot Shoe Adapter 1 that fits on the camera seems particularly fidgety to me as it doesn't seat all the way down in hot shoe to trigger properly. Adding some pressure to it with my finger allows it to fire as expected (and you can see the adapter tilt forwards about half a millimeter or so - having it tilt back is when it seems to fail). I assume that the on-camera flash, when popped up, provided just enough pressure for the contacts to touch. Sorry for being so unobservant before crying the sky is falling. :o

As for the peanut, thanks for the detailed diagnosis, FlashZebra! I haven't gotten far enough to test the reliability of the peanut (and I'm sure I'll run into similar problems as everyone else) but initially, I was using it just to test sync port with the included pc cord.

Usability aside, concerning Items 1/2, I can't confirm whether or not it fires at the right time (as you said, probably not, due to the preflash), but I can confirm that the peanut is "functioning" as it does trigger from the on-board trash when connected by Hot Shoe Adapter 2 (above).

Item 3 (connection by included pc cord) was my primary concern and I did read the other posts concerning peanut+cord reliability so I decided to test using using Hot Shoe Adapter 1 with the included pc cord. Of course, my test was flawed (as Curtis calmly walked me through) and now I can confirm that the sync port is working properly.

Which is all a long way of saying:
Curtis - thanks for your saintly patience while pointing out issues I should have triple-checked before anything else in my flawed testing process. I'll have to go find something to keep the adapter seated properly.

FlashZebra - it appears that the problem is just as you had stated in #3. Since that's (likely) sorted out, I'll go and catch up with the issues stated in #1 and #2 before following recommendation #4.

Thanks again, everyone!
You have no need for the hotshoe adapter for the 383.

This item:
Hama Hot Shoe Adapter 2 - Hot Shoe with PC (Male) Sync Cord REG (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/89982-REG/Hama_HA_6952_Hot_Shoe_Adapter_2.html)

The peanut will attach to the 383 via the short cord that came with it.

The long cord will attach to the 383 via the short cord that came with it.

This redundant flash hotshoe adapter only complicates things and provides no additional utility.

Return it and get your cash back.

Enjoy! Lon

[Curtis N]

You have no need for the hotshoe adapter for the 383.
This item:
Hama Hot Shoe Adapter 2 - Hot Shoe with PC (Male) Sync Cord REG (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/89982-REG/Hama_HA_6952_Hot_Shoe_Adapter_2.html)Well, it does have a tapped hole in the bottom for easy mounting to a light stand or tripod. I guess it depends on how you intend to mount and use the off-camera flash.

[FlashZebra]

Well, it does have a tapped hole in the bottom for easy mounting to a light stand or tripod. I guess it depends on how you intend to mount and use the off-camera flash.
A nice umbrella adapter that will provide tons more flash mounting and adjusting opportunity than just a vanilla hotshoe adapter with a tapped 1/4 "-20 hole, and costs a bit less than the unnecessary flash hotshoe adapter.

So, if mounting the flash is an attribute of consideration, I would still suggest your return the unnecessary flash hotshoe adapter, get a nice umbrella bracket, and buy yourself a soda with the difference in cost of the slightly more expensive flash hotshoe adapter.

Enjoy! Lon