Newb to using flash questions

So I finally broke down and bought a couple Vivitar 285HV flashes and a basic trigger/receiver set off of ebay. This: http://cgi.ebay.com …20678723500#ht_​3081wt_980 but with 4 receivers.

I'm trying hard to figure out how to use it. First I just attach the flash directly to the camera and when the flash goes off, only the top half of each photo had the flash in it and the bottom have was completely black.

So then I attach the transmitter to the camera and the receiver to one of the flashes on a tripod. Nothing happens.

Is there something that i'm missing? I'm so new to this to forgive me for how lame this post is. Thanks!!

Make sure that your shutter speed is set to 1/200 or slower and try it again.

PacAce wrote in post #11060980
Make sure that your shutter speed is set to 1/200 or slower and try it again.

exactly. looks like the shutter speed at least one of the problems.

Cool thanks, I'm sure that was the problem with my first issue. But what about the receivers?

MKerckaert wrote in post #11061065
Cool thanks, I'm sure that was the problem with my first issue. But what about the receivers?

Make sure that the shutter speed is correct first. The receiver issue might be related, i.e. the shutter being too fast for the receiver also.

@ mark, mind you tell me what body do you use? im considering those wireless triggers, with rf602's tho, but ive read some are succesfull nand some are not with max sync speed of 1/250s without banding

ponzy wrote in post #11061189
@ mark, mind you tell me what body do you use? im considering those wireless triggers, with rf602's tho, but ive read some are succesfull nand some are not with max sync speed of 1/250s without banding

I tested my rf602's last week at 1/250 and could just make out a shadow at the bottom, but none at 1/200. I wouldn't rely on getting 1/250th. some claim battery choice pushes them over the edge to get it.

MKerckaert wrote in post #11060956
So then I attach the transmitter to the camera and the receiver to one of the flashes on a tripod. Nothing happens.

Is there something that i'm missing? I'm so new to this to forgive me for how lame this post is. Thanks!!

I had the same problem, but I figured out what I was doing: I was taking too long! I was fooling around getting things set up and my flash was shutting itself down while I was moving stuff, checking settings, etc. Not sure if it's your issue, but it definitely was mine.

Try just pressing the button on the remote to see if you can get it to flash without the camera. If not, check the dip switch settings to make sure the addresses are set the same. Also, make sure none of the batteries are in backwards.

I guessed your triggers are not TTL(Through The Lens). Most triggers at those price range are not TTL. I checked your ebay link and had verified that it's not TTL.

ponzy wrote in post #11061189
@ mark, mind you tell me what body do you use? im considering those wireless triggers, with rf602's tho, but ive read some are succesfull nand some are not with max sync speed of 1/250s without banding

I have just done a quick speed test
1/250 no band, 1/320 has a band at bottom upto 1/5, 1/400 has band upto 2/5 , 1/500 has band up to 3/5. It is surprising how much of the image is correctly exposed.
I regularly use the 1,250 so I can use a longer length on my f4L.
Simon

ponzy wrote in post #11061189
@ mark, mind you tell me what body do you use? im considering those wireless triggers, with rf602's tho, but ive read some are succesfull nand some are not with max sync speed of 1/250s without banding

I'm just using an old 350D.

Does anybody have any idea what this could be?? Maybe the batteries in the units are useless? I've already figured out the shutter speed issue.

never trust the supplied batteries. i get batteries with 1/2 charge to fully dead sometimes. you don't know how long they've just been sitting there. go out and buy some new batteries.

Check batteries first.
I would also not expect 1/200 on the shutter. Some of the radio units can only manage up to 1/60.
Make sure the transmitter and receiver are on the same channel and the units are properly seated on the camera and the flash.

So, earlier in the week I had a problem with mine too.

If you take the remote off the camera (or I suppose even on the camera) and you press the button on top, does the light on the front turn on? It should turn green at 1/2 press and red at full press.

Mine stopped working when I needed it... being frustrated I decided to pop it open and see what's wrong. I couldn't get it open, only partly. But that was enough somehow... it started working after that. Don't know why. I still need to pop it open to see why it stopped working...