I just bought a 2 studio strobe set and have some questions.

[psycorpse]

I won an ebay auction for 2 studio strobes with umbrellas and stands. These strobes just use A/C. I didn't really buy this for the strobes but for the umbrellas and stands. I think I got this for pretty cheap so it might not be a total loss. Anyways my question is how do I determine the amount of Volts are required for triggering the strobe? I have a Rebel XT and will need either a shoe mount (PC) or an infrared transmitter. I just don't want to fry my camera. If this has been answered please just send me to that post. I have searched on GOOGLE as well as used the search on this site. I just have mixed feelings about what I have read. Here is a link to what I have purchased.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120236790992&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=002

Any help would be appreciated.

Mike

[Lotto]

You can use a volt meter and measure it youself, or email the eBay seller.

[Curtis N]

Those little strobes are pretty common, with a low trigger voltage that's safe for today's cameras.

The voltage comes from the strobe and is present in the sync circuit whenever the unit is turned on. It can be measured with an inexpensive DC voltmeter by placing the test leads on the sync contacts.

[psycorpse]

Thanks for the help. So if I understood Curtis, I can just get a hot shoe to pc adapter? I don't have to worry about getting a sync-safe or what ever it is?

Thanks again,
Mike

[Psychobiker]

If you have a multimeter handy, I'd just put it across the trigger and ground (middle thing on the hotshoe, and the other is just above hte ridge)

Just make sure :D

L

[Curtis N]

If the strobe manufacturer doesn't specify the trigger voltage (sync voltage) and you want to be sure, test it.

[dbdors]

psycorpse, what has your experience been so far with the strobes? Have any pics to share?

[ShotByTom]

I tried those type of strobes before and I just couldn't get enough light from them. I bought a bunch of stuff from those guys in 6 different auctions over two days. After winning the first one I sent them a very simple question and the guy was an ass. I asked if a strobe could be replaced in a light that I bought (diferent from your lights) and they wouldn't answer me. After I sent a 2nd question to them they left negative feedback for me for the first 2 acutions, and still wouldn't answer my question, so I cancelled the remaining 4 auctions that I had already won and refused to pay for them.

I used those light for hair lights and background lights, but they weren't powerful enough for main lights. You could probably do headshots with them though.

As far as firing those things, I used cactus v2s wireless triggers and they worked very well. You could try one of THESE (http://cgi.ebay.com/Multi-3-Way-PC-Sync-Cord-Adapter-Converter-Flash-Strobe_W0QQitemZ360039228147QQihZ023QQcategoryZ643 54QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) if you want to use cables.