Newbie needs help!

I have a Canon Rebel XT and I use the flash trigger button to sync my camera with studio lights. I trigger the flash then take the picture. If I just take the picture the studio lights do not flash.

I just recently got a Canon Rebel XSi and I tried to do the same trigger flash-syncing but it's very slow. If I trigger my flash my camera says "busy" and I have to wait a while to take the picture.

Does anyone know why that happens and is there a way around it? The Rebel XT lets me trigger the flash and sync no problem. But the Rebel XSi triggers the flash then makes me wait forever.

Anyone know how to just sync the XSi camera to the light with a cord? I read something about connecting your hotshoe to a PC but I don't understand why you would connect to a PC.

Sorry for being such a newb!

You can buy an adapter that slides into your camera hot shoe which has a PC port on the side. Not PC like the computer, PC connection to connect a camera to a flash. That will let you plug a PC cord in and plug the other end into your studio lights (assuming they have a PC input.

edit: this is the adapter. I'm sure you can get them from many vendors and many different quality levels (and cost).
http://www.gadgetinfin​ity.com/product.php?pr​oductid=16727

Ahh.. I'm such a goof. I was thinking PC as in personal computer. WOW am I embaressed!

Thank you so much for your help!! I will check out adapters!

What you are doing is tripping the E part of ETTL (evaluative) and then giving your studio lights enough time to cycle before hitting the shutter button and tripping them via their optical sensors from your main flash on camera.

Your easiest solution is what darkvibe recommended but I'd suggest you got to www.flashzebra.com to find the hotshoe to PC adapter.

I have no idea what your XSi is doing though - getting the flash charged maybe?

koalah wrote in post #6072308
I have a Canon Rebel XT and I use the flash trigger button to sync my camera with studio lights. I trigger the flash then take the picture. If I just take the picture the studio lights do not flash.

I just recently got a Canon Rebel XSi and I tried to do the same trigger flash-syncing but it's very slow. If I trigger my flash my camera says "busy" and I have to wait a while to take the picture.

Does anyone know why that happens and is there a way around it? The Rebel XT lets me trigger the flash and sync no problem. But the Rebel XSi triggers the flash then makes me wait forever.

Anyone know how to just sync the XSi camera to the light with a cord? I read something about connecting your hotshoe to a PC but I don't understand why you would connect to a PC.

Sorry for being such a newb!

Are you using the built-in flash? If so, you probably need to recharge your camera battery since there's not enough juice in it to fully charge the built-in flash. If you're not using the built-in flash, then I have no idea why firing an external flash would cause the camera to go "busy".

BTW, welcome to the forum!

Thank you for your replies

I'm triggering from my built-in flash. The camera's battery was fully charged so I'm not sure why it was saying "busy" either.

I have an adapter but need a double male sync cord so I'm gonna try and buy one this weekend. Hopefully that solves my problem.

Thank you all so much for your help!