Will SunPak 144 flash work with DR XT?

I've decided to get a cheap flash unit solely for the purpose of triggering my Alien Bees. I will never, never, use this for on-camera flash, so please don't critique it as a flash unit, I just want to know if the Digital Rebel XT will fire it and it won't hurt the camera. I understand that the trigger voltage(??) can be an issue.

I've found that my 580 EX is a foolproof way to trigger the ABs without a PC cord or radio trigger. Works every time. I've read that the cheap, Chinese radio triggers have a 20% defective rate, and I don't need a several-hundred dollar radio trigger.

Is this flash safe to use with my DR XT as a trigger for the ABs? Thanks.

John

I posted a recent thread along these same lines, but for another very inexpensive flash.

You may have interest, see:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=213404

Enjoy! Lon

Thanks for the input, I do appreciate it. However, I am trying to avoid eBay for super-cheap electronics, because of reliability issues I've read about for other items, and the potential problems with warranties. I'm interested in saving the difference between the $200 radio triggers and the low-end SunPak flash, but I'm not all that interested in going from that price to an under $20 unit, my cash just isn't that tight.

My sense is that trigger voltage problems are between very old flash units and newer digital cameras, and I think the current SunPak lineup should work just fine. I just want someone more knowledgeable to tell me I'm right first.

Again, thanks for the input, Lon. I do appreciate it, I just want to stay with something I at least recognize.

John

This siteseems to think the trigger voltage should be OK...

Thanks, Dave. I'm worried about the Probably. Looks like 3-5-ish volts are OK, 6-8-ish is borderline?

Lots of other choices for me, though. Great link!

John

Does the Sunpak 144 have flexible manual control?

And, if it has manual control, can you dial down the flash intensity to a very low level so that this on camera flash basically just trips the optical slave flash but does not necessarily contribute a lot to the gross exposure (if you want on camera contribution you could turn it up).

The info on the Sunpak web site does not indicate features:

http://www.tocad.com/f​lash/144d.html

I would avoid an auto only flash for your purpose.

Where did you get that 20% defective rate on the radio slaves? I purchased about 25 of these and found that to be about the rate. I have posted that info here a few times, could it be my data?

Despite the high "as received" defect rate of the inexpensive radio slaves I purchased, I still use them with very good success. But, returning the defectives for good units was a bit annoying. But, after you get a good set, they seem to work fine.

If you are not in a hurry a dice roll on a radio slave may not be that big of a deal. You do have an 80% chance of getting a good one, and if it is bad the dealer I used replaced the bad ones promptly (I used a dealer in the US).

Enjoy! Lon

Maybe you're right. Maybe I should try the radio triggers. I think it was your post somewhere where I read about 20% were defective. But if they work, they're just what I need. And you did say when they work, they're just the ticket.

Was there a particular model of radio trigger you got on eBay that you recommend?

Thanks, Lon.

John

I ordered from this ebay dealer (link below). The units I purchased were older and only single channel. Those no longer seem available. These 4 channel units look identical to the 25 units I purchased, except for the channel set dip switches.

I do have one of the four channel units and it works just like the single channel unit. I prefer the 4 channel units, they were just a lot more expensive when I purchased my single channel unit, so I went with the least expensive solution, since I was purchasing 25.

The price has also came down some. With shipping I think I paid about $50.00 per unit.

I got the units with batteries in the receiver (not AC) to provide a bit more flexability. But, if you are going to use them exclusively with AC, their are slightly different units that mooch AC power. Negating battery power might just increase relability a bit. All the transmitters are powered by batteries. But, as I mentioned the units with a battery powered receiver are slightly more flexiable.

In any case. Try the unit in a rigorious manner as soon as you get it. A test session is advised, and immediately return it if there are problems. The dealer attended to the defective units promptly.

These will plug right into the Alien Bee units with the included adapter.

Since the price is so low, possibly you might consider ordering two sets. This will give you two receivers. One each for your two Alien Bee units.

I have also scabbed one transmitter on my light meter, so I have a wireless light meter.

Also, I have spent a bit of time helping, please post your observations if you decide to buy these radio slaves as it may help some other forum member. Closure is a good thing.

http://cgi.ebay.com …30086QQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

or

http://search.ebay.com​/_W0QQsassZphotogearok​QQhtZ-1

Enjoy! Lon

Thanks, Lon! I'll only get one, as the Alien Bees slave sensors appear to be infallible (so far, anyway). Right now, they're both being fired by my 590EX flash on low power. I'd rather have the radio trigger than continue using the flash or a PC cord.

I'll let you know how it works out.

John

Optical sensors work great, as long as you are in relatively low lighting, or do not have your flash gear set up where other humans are using flash.

Optical slaves show no loyalty when others activate their flash units. Radio slaves are a bit more discriminating.

In high ambient light optical sensors are just far more likely to not function consistantly.

Enjoy! Lon

OK. Thanks for the help!