Alien Bee Sync Cord

[93octane]

Does anyone know where to buy a heavy duty Sync Cord for Alien Bee flash units??? I have 2 cords go bad on me already because of the traffic laying on the floor being stepped on, or just hanging off the lamp it seems the pressure of it hanging down broke the cables or something. Does anyone know where I can buy some replacement heavy duty ones???

[awad]

its not really an alien bee thing, most sync cords i've come across break pretty easily.

but then again, if you're shooting in the middle of the road, i'd probably opt for some PWs or some other transmitter.

[TMR Design]

The PC connector used in sync cords is horrible. It has to go down in history as one of the worst terminators invented. Even high quality, more expensive sync cords will fail. There are small devices called 'conditioners' that will realign the center pin and outer shell to tighten things back up again. Pliers will work but if you're not careful you can really distort the shape and perhaps damage the connector.

I gave up on sync cords and moved to wireless triggering quickly once I saw the frequency of failure.

[Inspired Photography]

My AB sync cords, the centre pin is too small for my lightmeter to actually trigger it. I had to bend the centre pin to get it to work.

If you keep breaking them, shell out the few dollars it costs to buy some remote triggers. You will be eternally greatful.

Rob

[93octane]

Other then PW is there a less expensive alternative??

[Inspired Photography]

Buy the Alienbees triggers. There are some on eBay that strobist recommend, but i have the AB ones and they are great. Cost bugger all too. I recommend getting a transmitter for your camera and for your lightmeter though. I gaffa taped one transmitter to my lightmeter so i can meter and shoot easily.

Rob

[FlashZebra]

Source a sync cord that has a "Nikon Screwlock PC" connector on the camera end.

This connector has an extra screw in locking collar that greatly improves the reliability of the PC connector. Your 5D has a female port that will accept this more reliable "Nikon Screwlock PC" connector.

If you are going to depend on PC cords, you should also buy a PC tip conditioner. It is likely that a good quality PC tip conditioner will resirect your two cords you previously purchased.

If you are going to use a cords with a PC connector, get a PC tip conditioner. Avoid the tip conditioner currently sold by Paramount. It has only one reforming hole so will not work on many tip models.

I have an older Paramount tip conditioner that has several reforming holes and works with a variety of PC tip makes. But the model I have is no longer marketed by Paramount.

Enjoy! Lon

[hard12find]

I bought a set of the bee triggers and they seem to work well, bees will replace the pc cord if within a year of purchase. I had some go bad too.
Jim

[93octane]

I bought a set of the bee triggers and they seem to work well, bees will replace the pc cord if within a year of purchase. I had some go bad too.
Jim

Doesn't the bee trigger have a small sync cord between the hotshoe adapter and the PC port??? Would this small cable become a problem down the road???

[Inspired Photography]

You use either the hotshoe or the PC port, not both... so no, there is no cable between the wireless trigger and the PC port or anything.

Rob

[93octane]

You use either the hotshoe or the PC port, not both... so no, there is no cable between the wireless trigger and the PC port or anything.

Rob

Cool I might take a look at those then since they are only $40 a pop. I never use my AB outside only in my studio and my home studio ain't that big either. I read that the range with the AB is not as good as the PW but I think they'll do fine for me. THanks for all the advice.

[Inspired Photography]

Yeah definately not as good as PW, but for the price, they can't be beat.

Rob

[Longwatcher]

I go through about 1 PC sync cord a year, but since I have 6 lights, I have 6 sync cords so 3 more to go (two still have the original wire ties on them). Since I use the radio remotes also (when I feel like replacing the batteries or distributing extra power outlets ) that cuts down on sync cord abuse as well.

[93octane]

Would this trigger be the same as the alien bee???

http://cgi.ebay.com/16-Channels-Wireless-Studio-Flash-Trigger-AC-110V_W0QQitemZ170157438539QQihZ007QQcategoryZ64354 QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

[hard12find]

Close but..ships from hong kong.....Buy the Bees....and no they have a shoe mount transmitter, and the reciever has a socket for the power cord, and a short pc cable however the larger power cord carries the weight.

[FlashZebra]

You do not have to order one of these inexpensive radio slaves from Hong Hong. There are several US merchants on Ebay that sell these.

But, regardless of where you purchase an inexpensive radio slave, they will not be a substitute for a good quality cord. They are just not reliable enough.

I have several of the inexpensive radio slaves and use them on both studio flash units and hotshoe based flash. I use them all the time and really like the utility. But, I would never consider using them if I did not have a reliable sync cord readily available in my camera bag.

They are handy, and USUALLY work, but they are not that reliable.

Enjoy! Lon

[Inspired Photography]

You do not have to order one of these inexpensive radio slaves from Hong Hong. There are several US merchants on Ebay that sell these.

But, regardless of where you purchase an inexpensive radio slave, they will not be a substitute for a good quality cord. They are just not reliable enough.

I have several of the inexpensive radio slaves and use them on both studio flash units and hotshoe based flash. I use them all the time and really like the utility. But, I would never consider using them if I did not have a reliable sync cord readily available in my camera bag.

They are handy, and USUALLY work, but they are not that reliable.

Enjoy! Lon

Yeah this is a great point from Lon.

I have never had a situation where my wireless would not work (except for user error :rolleyes:), but i never leave home without sync cords too. Same as spare batteries, spare camera, spare flash, spare ... well you get the idea...

If you are shooting for hobby, then it might not be so much of a problem, but shooting for money, have a backup of everything, including your car.

Rob

[MikeMcL]

The AB's have the RTF1 transmitters... I love those. The little trigger sits on the hot shoe, and doesn't require any cable to the sync port. they work flawlessly as well. I prefer 1 receiver per light, but the ab's internal slave works well if you get only one receiver to save cash.