lex_bowden Posted June 21, 2003 Share Posted June 21, 2003 Just bought a new set of multiblitz studio lights and tried them out today with my EOS 3 (using a sync cord). The minolta light meter set the monoblocs off just fine, but when I plugged them into the EOS 3 I just got a 'bc' sign and a locked up shutter. Finally gave up trying to use the sync lead and just used my 550ex on manual as a 'pop' flash to trigger the monos. Has anyone any idea why plugging my EOS 3 into the sync cord would lock everything up? ...and what do I need to do about it to fix it? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danny_spry Posted June 21, 2003 Share Posted June 21, 2003 The circuitry on the Multi blitz may be backwards. I'm not familiar with them but I have heard of a slight chance that this sort of thing occurs. Check the manual of both the camera (p. 101)(inner is + outer is -) and strobe and see if this is the case. If your Multiblitz uses the houshold plug and its not polorized you might be lucky and only have to flip the plug around. That's the simple solution. The other possibility is that the multiblitz is putting out more than 6 volts through the sync cord and you camera is protecting itself. Double check that too. There is an adapter made by Wein or the Pocket Wizard people that will fix this. I can't believe I know this stuff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lex_bowden Posted June 21, 2003 Author Share Posted June 21, 2003 Danny, I think the multiblitz sych runs on either 9 or 12 volts. If the camera only uses 6, then maybe that is the problem. I simply assumed that all monoblocs would use the same 'correct'voltage that would be common across all cameras...what a silly idea. What are the gadgets you mentioned? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted June 21, 2003 Share Posted June 21, 2003 The sync voltage problem is on the Canon side. For some unknown reason they have chosen an extremely low sync voltage tolerance for their EOS cameras including the top of the line bodies. Comparable Nikons on the other hand tolerate a sync voltage of up to 250 volts. Every other camera manufacturer falls somewhere in between. Why would you reasonable expect a strobe manufacturer to know what camera body you are going to use and design accordingly?<P> The ideal solution is to go wireless with an LPA Designs Pocket Wizard Plus or MultiMAX.<P> I am slagging Canon on this one, but not pumping up Nikon. Both are great systems, but Canon, just like every other camera maker, sometimes makes some really strange engineering decisions. Because of the low sync voltage tolerance you may have inadvertently fried something in the camera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill_goldman Posted June 21, 2003 Share Posted June 21, 2003 Although Canon specifies sync voltage to both the hotshoe and pc connector be limited to 6 volts, I am not aware of any circuitry in the camera that will reject a higher voltage or prevent studio strobe units from working. A voltage regulator, such as the Wein Safe-Sync will protect the camera from high sync voltages that can cause arcing and pitting at the camera shutter contacts, as well as long-term circuit damage. What might prevent a particular studio strobe from working is if the polarity is reversed relative to the camera. In any event, this should not lock up the camera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danny_spry Posted June 21, 2003 Share Posted June 21, 2003 a buddy of mine told me a story about having a very green assistant who new nothing about strobes. He was shooting with a Hasselblad and was using Speedotron strobes. The photographer gave the sync cord to the assistant and told her to plug it in. Being new, and the coincidental fact that the sync plug is a house hold plug, she pluged the cord into the nearest outlet... Luckily the photographer only got a mild shock before fully seating the PC terminal to the lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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