430 EX -- PC terminal issues

[mattograph]

I am having a devil of a time getting my 430 to fire wirelessly. I am now on my third hotshoe adapter, and not a single one has worked.

Slide it on and plug it in, and it should work, right? or no......

Help!

[Curtis N]

You could maybe tell us how you're trying to trigger it? PC cord? radio set of some sort? Optical slave?

You could maybe give us a photo or a link to the specific make/model hotshoe adapter you're using?

Is the 430EX in manual mode (not slave)?

[mattograph]

You could maybe tell us how you're trying to trigger it? PC cord? radio set of some sort? Optical slave?

You could maybe give us a photo or a link to the specific make/model hotshoe adapter you're using?

Is the 430EX in manual mode (not slave)?

Thanks for responding.

I am trying to trigger it with my skyports. I used a local camera shop brand that did not work, and then ordered a Kalt from MPEX. Neither worked.

On the Kalt, I unplugged the skyport, and tried it in a 580 EX II, and it fired fine. Switched back to the 430 EX, nothing happened. Back to the 580 EX II, fired fine.

[Curtis N]

Can I assume then that this particular hotshoe adapter has a 1/8" miniplug to connect to the Skyport receiver, rather than a PC connector (your thread title leaves me wondering).

One diagnostic measure would be to short the contacts of that plug with a paperclip. This should fire the flash if the hotshoe adapter is making a connection with the flash foot.

Edit: Searching mpex.com for "Kalt" found only this hotshoe adapter:
http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,7403.html
http://www.mpex.com/prodimg/BKANP11128.jpg

If that's what you're using, then that's your problem. It's made to connect to the camera's hotshoe and provide a PC socket. The top of it is a "cold shoe" with no contacts for triggering a flash.

[mattograph]

Yep, thats the one. I just tried it with my Vivitars with the same result.

Looks like I should have stuck with the 'zebra!

Would this work?

http://flashzebra.com/pics/0065.jpg

[Curtis N]

Would this work?Yep. But if you're using Skyports, this would be a better option:
http://www.flashzebra.com/wizardcables/hotshoe.shtml
http://www.flashzebra.com/pics/hotshoewizard_390.jpg

Avoid the PC connector when possible. They mostly cause headaches.

[mattograph]

Yep. But if you're using Skyports, this would be a better option:
http://www.flashzebra.com/wizardcables/hotshoe.shtml
http://www.flashzebra.com/pics/hotshoewizard_390.jpg

Avoid the PC connector when possible. They mostly cause headaches.

Thanks, but according to Lon, that's not an option right now. He's having some supplier issues on that piece, and doesn't feel too positive about it right now.......

[Curtis N]

Thanks, but according to Lon, that's not an option right now. He's having some supplier issues on that piece, and doesn't feel too positive about it right now.......Sorry to hear about that. The one you posted will work with the right cord between the Skyport receiver and the adapter.

[mattograph]

Thanks Curtis. I appreciate the direction!

[mattograph]

Lon was able to come up with one of the hotshoe cable combos. Great service at Flashzebra -- I am a big fan!