UGHH! What is wrong with this Strobist kit!?

[ZSutton]

Ok, So I have an AlienBee B800, a Speedflash 430EX a Cybersync receiver and transmitter, and absolutely no patience for this any longer.

I bought one of these (http://www.flashzebra.com/products/0115/index.shtml) a while back, so I could trigger my flash unit, and that would in turn trigger my B800. I have it all rigged up right now, and it wont seem to fire. I put the transmitter ontop of the XTi, I put the receiver with the flashunit and hotshoe adapter, and plugged a PC cable from the receiver to the adapter. I press the test button on the Receiver, it fires, but only once. It fires everytime with the built in test button on the hotshoe adapter, but only once with the receiver.

So if I fire it once, I have to unplug it, and plug it in to use that one fire again. Its obnoxious, and i have no idea what could be the cause of the problem. Not to mention my camera isnt detecting the flashes in the sense that if I put it in Av Mode, it will still have a shutter speed of 6" as oppose to automatically going to 1/200.

Does anyone know what the problem is with this? Because I've played with it for 45 mins now, and it just doesnt make any sense

[Lotto]

Although the 430EX is tricky when working with some radio triggers, this is the first I heard of not working with the Cybersync. I would try changing the battery on the receiver and make sure the 430EX is not in slave mode.

Your camera does not communicate with non dedicated hot shoe units. Use Manual mode.

[Curtis N]

So if I fire it once, I have to unplug it, and plug it in to use that one fire again.This sounds a lot like the way most EX flash units behave with optical slaves. Interesting, but I don't have a solution.Not to mention my camera isnt detecting the flashes in the sense that if I put it in Av Mode, it will still have a shutter speed of 6" as oppose to automatically going to 1/200.This part is easy. Use manual mode and set the shutter speed at 1/200.

Av mode is designed to expose for ambient light. If you aren't relying on ambient light, you shouldn't use Av mode.

[ZSutton]

Ouch, so you guys are saying its.....normal? Thats quite upsetting

[Curtis N]

I don't know what's normal. The Cybersync products are relatively new. The EX Speedlites behave differently than other flash units when connected to optical slaves, and similar to what you're experiencing.

I would be interested to know if other people have used Cybersyncs with the 430EX. You may want to contact Alienbees and see if they know of any issues with that flash.

Meanwhile, here is the cheapest solution I can offer:
Hook up the Cybersync receiver to your B800, and get this specialized optical slave for your 430EX:
http://flashzebra.com/products/0118/index.shtml

[twiggles]

I have three 430EXs and I have never had this issue with my cybersyncs...I am inclined to think its somthing with the way you are setting up your camera. As people have said, you MUST be in manual mode while shooting flashes off camera.

[twiggles]

Additionnaly, I have used the flashzebra hotshoe adapters, so I know those adapters work with 430EXs...

[Rellik]

I think you need to take a step back and isolate each variable.

1) Does your cybersync trigger with nothing attached? You will see the red light blink on the receiver if it does. That great, that means you are on the same channel.
2) Attach the transmitter to your camera and fire it shot. Does it trigger the receiver?
3) Attach the hotshoe adapter and the receiver. Set the flash on manual. Set camera on manual (eg f/5.6 1/200 sec iso 100) Take a test shot.
4) If nothing happens check, your connections with the PC cable. Generally they are a tight fit and sometimes finicky. I switched mine to mono plugs.
5) If the receiver goes off and your flash doesn't, then the connection between the flash, hotshoe, and receiver is faulty. If pressing the hotshoe test button fires the flash, then check the connection between the receiver and the hotshoe adapter.

[ZSutton]

The transmitter does trigger the receiver, so the issue isnt within the cybersyncs.

I just cannot explain it, since the test button on the hotshoe works, and everything works for one shot, then I have to unplug it and replug it in to get my one shot again. I'd understand if it didnt work at all, but it kinda does.

[scorpio_e]

I agree with the above. I would try to isolate the problem first. How does work with the B800? I have heard of the 430 EX going into sleep mode fast. Maybe it is a 430 EX setting.
I have the 430 EX and the cybersyncs. They work great together.

Good luck !!

[ZSutton]

I agree with the above. I would try to isolate the problem first. How does work with the B800? I have heard of the 430 EX going into sleep mode fast. Maybe it is a 430 EX setting.
I have the 430 EX and the cybersyncs. They work great together.

Good luck !!

The receiver works fine with the B800, I havent had a problem with it whatsoever. That is why I have reason to believe it has to be the hotshoe, since that the only new part of the equation, and I tried a couple different PC cables.

[Jim M]

How far apart are the Cybersync and the 430EX? Proximity can cause problems with some kinds of radio triggers. It doesn't sound too likely in this case, but you never know.

[rabidcow]

Are you trying to use the 430EX in E-TTL?

[ZSutton]

Are you trying to use the 430EX in E-TTL?

No sir, I have always shot in manual

[ZSutton]

How far apart are the Cybersync and the 430EX? Proximity can cause problems with some kinds of radio triggers. It doesn't sound too likely in this case, but you never know.

10-15ft, if not closer

[Titus213]

That is not the PC to hot shoe adapter I would typically recommend but seems it should work. I use the product #65 from www.flashzebra.com and it seems to fire my 430EX every time with the Cybersync receiver.

And I typically have the 430EX next to the receiver if not touching it.

I have to suspect the hot shoe unit too. Have you discussed this with Lon (FlashZebra)?

[gdelena]

The 430Ex goes into standby/sleep mode VERY FAST.....but works flawlessly with cybersyncs and a Paramount hotshoe to mini cord. I plug the mini end directly to the cyber.

I have a combo of 430's and SB-26's. I always have to walk back over to the 430's and take them out of sleep by pressing a rear button. Never happens with the 26's...even though the 26's manual says after 80 seconds it'll go into standby.

[Titus213]

The 430Ex goes into standby/sleep mode VERY FAST.....but works flawlessly with cybersyncs and a Paramount hotshoe to mini cord. I plug the mini end directly to the cyber.

I have a combo of 430's and SB-26's. I always have to walk back over to the 430's and take them out of sleep by pressing a rear button. Never happens with the 26's...even though the 26's manual says after 80 seconds it'll go into standby.

I believe it's Cf01 on the 430EX that allows you to keep it active.

[gdelena]

I believe it's Cf01 on the 430EX that allows you to keep it active.

If this works I will have all of your childern....which could be difficult as I'm male....

[Jim M]

10-15ft, if not closer
I meant the receiver and the flash. However, Titus213 reported that his works with the receiver in close proximity of the flash.

[twiggles]

I meant the receiver and the flash. However, Titus213 reported that his works with the receiver in close proximity of the flash.

Yes, I have my receiver sitting on top of my flash 90% of the time also...

[René Damkot]

I don't know what's normal. The Cybersync products are relatively new. The EX Speedlites behave differently than other flash units when connected to optical slaves, and similar to what you're experiencing.

I would be interested to know if other people have used Cybersyncs with the 430EX. You may want to contact Alienbees and see if they know of any issues with that flash.

Meanwhile, here is the cheapest solution I can offer:
Hook up the Cybersync receiver to your B800, and get this specialized optical slave for your 430EX:
http://flashzebra.com/products/0118/index.shtml

Alternatively, if it's the same problem, you could try this: Click (http://michaelbass.blogspot.com/2007/01/misc-custom-connections.html#CanonSoniaConnect)