Question about the Sunpak 383 Flash

[biggpopa]

I wanted to set up a small budget home studio. I have a Sigma EF-500 DG Super, and wanted a two flash set up to practice.

My question is...

Would I mount the Sunpak on my 30D and use the Sigma 500 as the slave unit mounted on a tripod? OR do I need something else to trigger the Sunpak flash and leave the Sigma on my 30D?

Thanks for you help.

[FlashZebra]

The Super Sigma has a built in optical slave, so if you want an on camera and off camera flash, put the 383 on camera.

The flash burst from the 383 will trigger the optical slave in the Super Sigma.

But for an ad hoc studio it would be better to get both off camera. Run a long cord to the Sunpak and still trigger the Super Sigma with its built in optical slave.

Enjoy! Lon

[JackProton]

Oh, yeah - good idea. My hotshoe cable is only 5 feet long though. :(

[biggpopa]

T Run a long cord to the Sunpak and still trigger the Super Sigma with its built in optical slave.

Enjoy! Lon

Is there a particular cord you would recommend? I'm going to order the flash from BH, so I can order the cord as well.

thanks again for the info.

[Strayz]

actually finding the right cord is kinda a PITA...

I am also looking for a PC cable for my 383's ( got the rest though :) )

[Curtis N]

Is there a particular cord you would recommend? The Sunpak 383 comes with a short cord that plugs into the flash, with a PC male connector on the other end.

Most cameras have a female PC socket.

That means you need a standard PC "extension cord" between the two. PC male on one end and PC famale on the other.

B&H sells various brands in various lengths. 15 feet or 5 meters is a common length.

[biggpopa]

The Sunpak 383 comes with a short cord that plugs into the flash, with a PC male connector on the other end.

Most cameras have a female PC socket.

That means you need a standard PC "extension cord" between the two. PC male on one end and PC famale on the other.

B&H sells various brands in various lengths. 15 feet or 5 meters is a common length.

Would this work?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/116634-REG/Hama_HA_6975_PC_Male_to_PC.html

[cdifoto]

Would this work?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/116634-REG/Hama_HA_6975_PC_Male_to_PC.html

Yes but the quality isn't very good. Not that any PC cables are awesome. Buy several cords...or buy one and get a cheap eBay radio slave kit. Use the cord only if/when the eBay radio slave kit decides to go to the dumper.

[biggpopa]

Yes but the quality isn't very good. Not that any PC cables are awesome. Buy several cords...or buy one and get a cheap eBay radio slave kit. Use the cord only if/when the eBay radio slave kit decides to go to the dumper.

So is this what I'm looking for? Do the cords just break or stop working very easily? I'm only using this for a small home studio. Nothing fancy, just taking pics of the family.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Radio-Slave-Kit-for-Studio-Strobe-From-Fotodiox-NEW_W0QQitemZ160175897105QQihZ006QQcategoryZ30086Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[cdifoto]

That's similar to what I have (http://cgi.ebay.ca/Digital-Radio-Wireless-16-Channel-Slave-Strobe-Trigger_W0QQitemZ170165574791QQihZ007QQcategoryZ30 086QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem). It's not excellent but it does get the job done.

[FlashZebra]

Buy a good quality cord a good quality PC tip conditioner.

Enjoy! Lon

[biggpopa]

Buy a good quality cord a good quality PC tip conditioner.

Enjoy! Lon

Care to recommend one?

[ghostman]

Care to recommend one?

I'd imagine he'd recommend these:

http://flashzebra.com/products.shtml

I'm trying to go this route, since I hear PC cords are unreliable:

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/04/lighting-101-build-pro-synch-cord-pt-1.html

It requires a PC-to-household (standard AC plug) on each end. Only problem I'm seeing is that most flashes assume you'll plug it directly into the camera, so it provides you with a male PC connector. That PC-to-household cable is almost always male as well, so it needs to turn female somehow.

[FlashZebra]

Care to recommend one?
I have been in the process of writing a review of PC tip conditioners for about a month (possibly longer). These are devices that I am unsure how any photographer that uses a PC connection can be without. They mostly tame the significant reliability issues with the male PC connection.

The Parmount cords ones work fine, but only if you have Paramount cords. If you have cords from any other supplier they are likely not work at all.

I have an older Paramount tip conditioner that I have used for years that I like, and is more adaptable than the ones Paramount are now selling, but this "old model" is no longer available.

I sourced a new "no name" PC tip conditioner that is very capable that I like.

Again, I am very busy and this review will eventually get posted, but I am unsure when.

Enjoy! Lon