light meter

Curtis N wrote in post #12674260
We have a winner!

The on-camera flash fires a pre-flash for E-TTL metering. This fires the softbox before the shutter opens.

If you hit the * button to fire the pre-flash, wait a few seconds for the other strobe to recycle, then take your shot, it will work (technically). Of course this method isn't very practical, so you'll need either a sync cord or a radio-based triggering system of some sort.

Or put the pop up in M mode?

ok thanks i think you sorted that one out. it has sent me slightly bonkers so thanks to everyone for your help, i can live in peace with my 7D now.

digital paradise wrote in post #12674319
Or put the pop up in M mode?

Or does it need to pre fire to fire the slaves?

digital paradise wrote in post #12674319
Or put the pop up in M mode?

Well, sure, if you insist on doing things the easy way.

Gosh I had no idea these new-fangled cameras had that capability.

digital paradise wrote in post #12674407
Or does it need to pre fire to fire the slaves?

If you want to use your meter, stop using the popup flash (or even a shoe-mounted flash) to trigger the slaves. Invest in either a long cable or a radio slave system. It's totally impossible to use a meter to measure the main flash when there's a pre-flash being emitted by the on-camera flash because the pre-flash triggers the meter to make a measurement.

SKipD i am going to get some triggers tomorrow it has been bugging me for a long time. i try to solve my own problems but i needed help with this one. thanks again everyone.

I know you are getting triggers but just in case.

http://ocfgear.com/

digital paradise wrote in post #12673720
Correct. In the film days apparently they used to point the light meter at the light source. With digital they recommend to point directly at the camera and as stated under the chin.
Let us know what happened.

Sorry, this has spiked my interest. Why would the format make a difference?

More importantly, why point the meter at the camera?

To the OP, what mode/make was the flash in?
I have a Yongnou that you have to put in 'S2' mode this ignores any preflash and fires the flash when required. You could also dial down the onboard flash a couple of stops then the softbox will be the main.
If you are going to get triggers, try get the 602's, 1 transmitter and at least 2 receivers.room for expansion, you can get cheap flashes for hair light back ground with 3.