AlienBees & My XSi

<p>Ok, this may be a dumb question, but bear with me, I'm new to studio lighting. I just got the "Beginner Bee" package from AlienBees for Christmas. The sync cord that comes with it doesn't fit my camera. My question is, does the Xsi not have a sync port, or am I crazy? If it doesn't have the proper place to plug in the sync cord, what type of adapter could I get to make it work?</p>

<p><a href="http://www.alienbees.com/cords.html"> The first cord on this link is the one the light kit came with</a></p>

<p>If someone could please help me out, I would appreciate it. Go easy on me, this is my first lighting adventure, I'm used to working outdoors with natural lighting and/or a flash. Thanks!!</p>

<p>the Xsi dose not have a sync port. Just get a PC hotshoe sync adapter. (or save up for an Alienbee Cybersync wireless system). You can grab one cheap on ebay, just type this in the search: hot shoe pc sync</p>

 

<p>You will need a PC to Hot She adapter available from many places.<br />Like the ones shown here:<br /><a href="http://flashzebra.com/hotshoes-shoes/index.shtml">http://flashzebra.com/hotshoes-shoes/index.shtml</a><br />BH and AB should get you going as well...<br />-Mario</p>

<p>Also, a wireless system from AB is fine as well as the other poster mentioned...</p>

<p>Thank you! I googled this and found one thing that said the hot shoe adaptor, but could actually find one to buy. Thanks for the link Mario! :) And thanks Carnagex!</p>

<p>You're welcome.<br>

If you have any questions, Lon from Flashzebra is very helpful and quick to respond...<br>

-Mario</p>

<p>Don't mean to be down on Canon, but peple have been complaining about this for years.</p>

<p>Well, the base model Canon's have just the hotshoe.<br>

The xxD series and up have both.<br>

While I don't fully agree with you, it does seem more and more people are using the entry level camera's with studio strobes.<br>

I would guess it is because:<br>

1) They are less money (Much less in some cases.)<br>

2) The newer low end camera's are very capable.</p>

<p>It is definitely annoying that the low-end Canon bodies (and their low-end flash) don't have PC sync ports.</p>

<p>I just got some new radio triggers, only to realize I need to go buy a PC to hotshoe adapter for my 430EX II.</p>

I though the 430EX ii (Along with the 580EX ii) has a pc port on the side.

 

I could be mistaken.

 

You could simply use the plastic foot to mount it on the stand.

 

That's how I do it on my 580EX ii's.

 

-Mario

<p>"I though the 430EX ii (Along with the 580EX ii) has a pc port on the side. I could be mistaken."</p>

<p>It definitely does not. I have one in the other room that I won't be able to use with my radio triggers until an adapter arrives in the mail.</p>

<p>Well that's a fine how do you do.</p>

<p>-Me</p>

<p>I didn't mean to offend anyone, and I am sorry if I did.</p>

<p>I am just frustrated that I've got a brand new light stand, umbreallas, radio triggers, and no way to get my 430EX II to fire off my camera.</p>

<p>No offense.</p>

<p>I think we have all had a situation where we bought something and lacked that last tid-bit thing to make it work.</p>

<p>I recently bought studio strobes and forgot to buy the gel's.<br>

Now I must pay full price shipping.</p>

<p>Live and hopefully learn... :)</p>

<p>-Mario</p>

<p>Indeed.</p>

<p>I have been taking photos for more than a decade, and I have never come across anything as confusing as flash gear.</p>

<p>Mario, I took your advice and ordered the hot shoe adaptor from Lon (he is so nice!). I got it today and I can't figure it out. I put the piece in my hotshoe, plugged the sync cord in and put my hotshoe flash on top of the adaptor. Well, the flash doesn't fire, and when I take a photo, the Alienbees don't flash either. The only way I can get the ABs to go off from the adaptor is if I press the button on it. Am I doing something wrong, or do I just not get it? HELP! :)</p>

<p>Can you tell us which you bought?</p>

<p>Also, make sure the hot shoe adapter is on completely...</p>

<p>-Mario</p>

<p>I think I bought the wrong one. I ordered #0015. I emailed Lon, he's trying to help me... It's one of those days!</p>

<p>Yeah, 0015 looks like the one for a light stand.<br />This would be used for a shoe mount flash on a lightstand or similar.</p>

<p>You need 63 or 64 I think.<br>

Did you order that by mistake, or?</p>

<p>That stinks.<br />I think the biggest bummer is you will be delayed another few days.</p>

<p>-Mario</p>

<p>Yea, I wasn't paying attention when I ordered it obviously! I ordered the correct one, and Lon is soooo nice! I will definitely recommend them (and go back!) Thanks for suggesting FlashZebra, Mario.</p>

<p> </p>

 

<p>I have a canon XSi and have been drafted by my church to shoot portraits for our church directory. A friend has some older lights (which are fully functional). I used a hot shoe adapter to PC cord that my friend had. It worked intermittently during testing and after about an hour of shooting it stopped working entirely. I replaced the adapter with a wireless hot shoe adapter which fires perfectly from the test button on the trasmitter (MicroSync Digital), but I can't get it to fire from my camera on any setting. It's almost like the camera can't tell the hot shoe adapter is there at all.</p>

<p>I have 1 1/2 weeks before my photo shoot and I'm feeling a little desperate here. Any advice?</p>

<p>-Jason</p>