L-358 & Odin, RF Interference?

I have a Sekonic L-358 and it just hasn't been working out for me, so I decided to do some testing. I set my flash on the floor approximately 4' from the meter with the dome out, facing the flash. I remotely set my power to 1/64 and fire. I got a reading of say F4. I then adjust the power on the Odin to 1/4, and get a reading of F4.5. I took photos in both instances at the measured readings, obviously, second photo is blown out. I can HEAR the difference in the flash power popping. I take the flash off the odin and put it on my camera. 1/64 gets reading of F4, 1/4 gets reading of F10. Exposures look right. Can the radio triggers interfere with the function of the L-358?

Unless you have the PW module in your meter therr shouldnt be any RF from the meter at all. Sounds more like a problem with the triggers themselves

I originally thought it was the triggers giving me inconsistent flash powers. However, if I use the settings obtained with the flash on the camera in manual mode, i.e. F4 for 1/64 power, and F10 for 1/4 power, I get the proper exposure with the triggers at the respective power and Fstop settings. I just don't get the proper reading on the meter. Also, in readings cases the "U" shows up on the meter, even though the flash power is showing 100% of the measured light?

Hi, I use Odins (Canon) and an L358.

Under most circumstances, the Odin system will trigger a 'Pre-flash' from Ex Speedlites in a network, even when they are being controlled in 'M' manual. So if the meter suggests a surprisingly wide aperture, it will be because it has read only the Pre-flash (not the Capture-flash nor both summed).

With Canon there are easy workarounds depending on your Odin Firmware. Which are you on? Also, are there any Mitros+ Speedlites in your mix?

Today was a 430 EXII, I own another one of those, and a 1st generation Mitros non-RX flash. My current software version is 1.22. This seems like a pretty rookie mistake, and I gotta admit I feel pretty stupid... Is this information listed anywhere in the Odin documentation? How do I get around this?

Hi, My preferred workaround is to use the FEL button on my 7D or 5DIII. Usually this has no role when using Speedlites operating under M manual flash (the 1Dx bodies offer an exception, but nevermind .. ). However, the Odin system hijacks Canon's ETTL system when controlling Speedlites in M, so, 1) the Speedlites re-acquire a pre-flash and 2) The FEL button re-acquires a quasi function - namely (for our purposes) to discharge the 'Pre-flash' early while leaving only the 'Capture-flash' on the second pressure shutter button press.

So, one method is to meter with your flashmeter in one hand and your camera body / Odin TCU in the other. First press FEL to discharge the pre-flashes, then ready the meter, waiting (cordless) & positioned. You have 16 secs for this. Then complete a shutter button press, wasting a shot but triggering all intended 'Capture-flashes' (all/any active Group, as per the TCU screen) which your L358 duly measures.

Phottix themselves have an alternate method which was only introduced in Firmware c 2 yrs ago. (I don't recall exactly which version, sorry.) This changed the functionality of the 'Test' button slightly (only for M flash) again creating a gap between the pre-flash and capture(like) - flash, but only giving you 2.6 secs in which to ready your meter. I'll see if I can dig up some 'Phottix Speak' covering that issue. Their's is not my preferred option.

All of the above may well be subject to exact Firmware loaded - but it works for me.

Also, my Mitros +'Plus' does not 'Pre-flash' in M! But I can still mix it in and use my FEL method anyway.

Let me know if you have trouble when giving the above a try. Cheers

Extra info re Phottix's method of Flashmetering when lights are operating in M Manual (note Aug 2013):

http://journal.phottix​.com …in-canon-firmware-update/

Awesome! I'll give it a shot! This will make life a lot easier!