Skyports

Just a couple of complaints... not something I usually do...

I'm rather disappointed with the system. I've gotten shutter creep at 1/200 (w/ a 1/250 max sync that I obviously can't use because of documented shutter creep). Bad sometimes.. like 1/8th of the pic is black - maybe shooting too fast for the whole system, lights and all, I dunno. I'll have to post pictures when I get a chance.

My biggest gripe though is the transmitter. I don't sit very still during a shoot, especially when kids are involved. I can't keep that thing in position for anything. I've missed a number of shots because it was accidentally nudged a centimeter and needed reseating to fire properly. So annoying.

It just seems rather flakey, despite numerous threads here that say it works flawlessly. Maybe if I could lock it to my hotshoe, I wouldn't have so many misfires, but sadly, there's no way to do this that I know of.

I recharge the receiver batteries after each session, btw.

I hate to hear that you are having problems with them. I love my skyports. Havent yet decided if I will stay with them or maybe try out the new AB design (their shop is less than 300 yards from where I work). I have been very happy with my skyports and if I stay with them will probably buy another set soon. Havent had any issues of the transmitter not sitting in the hotshoe and staying there. It actually fits snugly.

Hey Jeremy,

Sorry to hear that. I don't own a set but I have never been thrilled with the build and I'm not a fan of devices that don't lock or have a screw down to seat securely in the hot shoe without the fear or worry of it moving or coming loose.

I had the same problem with my original AB transmitter and my 30D. Everyone else was saying they had no problem but mine was loose and quite flakey.

Perhaps another set would fit better and perhaps it's a fractional tolerance in the hot shoe. Either way, my preference is a device that locks or has a screw lock of sorts.

Are you going to swap it out for another to see if there is a difference? I'd hate to see you just eat it and keep them knowing you have an issue with a brand new system that should be worry free.

While I would prefer that the thing had a locking mechanism, I've ever had any problems with my Skyports. And my transmitter does fit quite snugly in the hot shoe of every one of my camera bodies. That said, I can see how tolerances could conspire to make it quite loose and unreliable for some people. I reckon we might get a locking mechanism in version 2.

I'm gonna recommend something Robert is clearly going to hate. If you're having trouble with the transmitter coming loose, just use a bit of gaffer tap to keep it in position. Not a perfect solution, but it's not a perfect world...

I have never really thought about a locking mechanism on the transmitter, but I like that idea. OP, I'm sorry you're having issues with them. I've never had an issue with mine. Other than the fact that I've dropped it. Still works, though.

I turned my transmitter backwards and it fits snug as can be. I too get creep at 1\200 and 1\250. I just shoot at 1\160 and adjust my flash power as well as my f\stop as needed.

Thanks for the codolences all

I've read a few posts about the 40D and the Skyport Tx where similar issues were mentioned. Maybe there's an issue w/ the 40Ds hotshoe not making a real snug/good connection w/ the skyports. I'm going to try a new batter in the Tx first to see if that improves things.

I've had them since April so I'm not sure how Adorama would handle me wanting to get replacements, etc. I've never dealt with their return/repair dept. Hopefully a new battery is the answer - even though this one has barely been used.

As for shooting at 1/160... sure, I could do that, but 1\160 at 70mm and me moving around like a madman (shooting kids) and things start to get iffy in the sharpness department.

whiskaz wrote in post #6027446
It just seems rather flakey, despite numerous threads here that say it works flawlessly. Maybe if I could lock it to my hotshoe, I wouldn't have so many misfires, but sadly, there's no way to do this that I know of.

I recharge the receiver batteries after each session, btw.

Get some gaffer tape and wrap a strip around the back side of the transmitter and on the camera. Should hold it in place kinda nice. A locking mechanism would be better, but they don't exist so you make do. You could always pay 2x the price for the PWs. I'm not defending the Skyports, as I agree they could be built better - just suggesting a workaround.

I seem to recall the literature (pre-sales or the manual, I'm not sure which) suggesting that keeping the battery in the transmitter all the time may shorten the battery life. I pull the batteries out of my transmitters between uses (which could be a month or more) to give them maximum life. I also keep spares on hand in the case with my transmitters.

SkipD wrote in post #6029967
I seem to recall the literature (pre-sales or the manual, I'm not sure which) suggesting that keeping the battery in the transmitter all the time may shorten the battery life. I pull the batteries out of my transmitters between uses (which could be a month or more) to give them maximum life. I also keep spares on hand in the case with my transmitters.

That's believable. If I recall, mine came with the battery installed and it was DOA. I thought I received bad Skyports until I tried a spare juice pod I had on hand.

SkipD wrote in post #6029967
I seem to recall the literature (pre-sales or the manual, I'm not sure which) suggesting that keeping the battery in the transmitter all the time may shorten the battery life. I pull the batteries out of my transmitters between uses (which could be a month or more) to give them maximum life. I also keep spares on hand in the case with my transmitters.

I do the same thing. I was able to get a pack of 3 batteries for like $4.50 or something like that. I keep them in the case the Skyports came in. Removing batteries (non-battery packs) from devices that aren't use everyday is a good practice, anyway.

whiskaz wrote in post #6029950
Thanks for the codolences all

I've read a few posts about the 40D and the Skyport Tx where similar issues were mentioned. Maybe there's an issue w/ the 40Ds hotshoe not making a real snug/good connection w/ the skyports. I'm going to try a new batter in the Tx first to see if that improves things.

I've had them since April so I'm not sure how Adorama would handle me wanting to get replacements, etc. I've never dealt with their return/repair dept. Hopefully a new battery is the answer - even though this one has barely been used.

As for shooting at 1/160... sure, I could do that, but 1\160 at 70mm and me moving around like a madman (shooting kids) and things start to get iffy in the sharpness department.

If the light's coming from strobes, shutter speed shouldn't really matter...

bieber wrote in post #6030209
If the light's coming from strobes, shutter speed shouldn't really matter...

Not even for camera shake??? E.g. an unsteady hand and along focal length. We're not talking about stopping motion here...

Thanks for the advice on removing the battery... I'll do that from now on!

whiskaz wrote in post #6031338
Not even for camera shake??? E.g. an unsteady hand and along focal length. We're not talking about stopping motion here...

Thanks for the advice on removing the battery... I'll do that from now on!

Regardless of the shutter speed you set, the exposure will occur for the length of your strobe's flash duration (usually above 1/1000s). Only what happens in that split second will be recorded in the final image so it's virtually impossible to get camera shake.

I have a few Skyport transmitters and every one fits snugly in the hotshoe. It sounds like either your transmitter or your camera hotshoe is below par.

Hermes wrote in post #6031407
Regardless of the shutter speed you set, the exposure will occur for the length of your strobe's flash duration (usually above 1/1000s). Only what happens in that split second will be recorded in the final image so it's virtually impossible to get camera shake.

That would very much depend on the strobe, and the amount of ambient light....
However, in most cases, unless you have sloppy technique, or are very shakey, it's likely to be fine.

On the "loose fit": I have no problems with that, but it might be an idea to connect the skyport to the camera's pc sync with the supplied cored, and just use the hotshoe to "hold" it...