Newbie: I need help finding a strobe sync adapter thingy

i am looking for the adapter that connects to the external flash unit that connects to cord that connects to the power pack of studio strobes. am i making sense?

if you know what i'm talking about and can recommend an adapter please share.
thank you.

There are various types. To get the best (most cost-effective) recommendation, you'd need to tell the forum what camera and what studio strobes you plan to connect.

For some combinations, you need an adapter that merely connects the hotshoe terminals to a female PC jack.

For other combinations you will need an adapter that has circuitry in it to reduce the "trigger voltage" from the flash units to a level acceptable to the camera. If your flash unit(s) have a trigger voltage that exceeds the spec for the camera, you can fry (over time in some cases and instantly in others) the device in the camera that triggers the flash.

You need a Wein Safe Sync and sync cord.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …&bhs=t&shs=wein​+safe+sync

chtgrubbs wrote:
You need a Wein Safe Sync and sync cord.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …&bhs=t&shs=wein​+safe+sync

That is not good advice for all situations. I have had situations where my Wein SafeSync wouldn't allow the flash units to fire. I had to switch to a plain adapter to get that camera to work. I was using AlienBees flash units which have a five volt trigger circuit.

Skip & chtgrubbs: Thank you for posting your recommendations.

Skip: I have a Canon 300D. For the strobes we're using lights hooked up to an Acute 2400 power pack. Does that help any?

This is the "standard" list for flash units and their trigger voltages: http://www.botzilla.co​m/photo/strobeVolts.ht​ml

You will notice that the Acute 2400 is not listed. I would suggest that you use a digital voltmeter (on DC volts) and measure the trigger voltage. If it is lower than 6 volts, it's safe to use with a conventional hotshoe-to-PC adapter. If it is higher than 6 volts (the maximum limit for the 300D), then you should get a Wein SafeSync adapter. See this link at B&H: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …EG&addedTroughT​ype=search

The only problem is the Wein adapter is $50, whereas the simple ones are only $5 to $10. It would be worth measuring the trigger voltage to see if you need the higher priced SafeSync adapter.

SkipD: Thank you for your advice. Today at PhotoPlus Expo I asked a Canon representative my same question and he said the same thing you did-Wein.

Thanks a Mil!

Acute is not going to fry your camera. What model do you have? You may be able to trigger it with a Pocket Wisard for "only" 165 from BH...

I don't remember what socket the Acute uses.

Hi Doc: Thank you for your reassurance! I purchased the Wein adapter. I plan to set up a shoot this Friday.
Thank you all for your advice!!! Don't know what I would do without you all.