dark pics with umbrella flash

[wvtg]

okay I have 1 400ws light with a reflective umbrella my question is why are my

pictures dark? I have to shoot with a shutter speed of 60 and a f stop of 1.8

to even get a decent exposure at full power. the light is no more than 3-4 feet

away and sometimes it seems as if half or part of the pic is properly exposed,

almost like my camera is out of sync I am using a wireless sync but ichanged

the batteries and it is still happening

 

*confused*

[jc5066]

Examples please. Otherwise were guesing on what you mean.

[ronald_moravec1]

It is a sync problem. Try slowing the shutter to 1/15. Not to say you should work that way, but maybe you can get the entire frame to illuminate.

 

Bypass the radio and go directly into camera using a safe sync if you have one. That will tell you if the radio is the problem. If nothing changes, then it is the flash or the camera. Then you will have to test with a different flash.

[jc5066]

If it is a sync thing, make sure your batteries are good. When the batteries start to age, they will sync slow. Cheap wireless syncs, like on eBay are notorious for firing issues.

[pge]

I agree with Ronald, but as a further test at shutter 1/60 and f1.8, turn off your flash and see if it makes a difference, it probably won't.

 

A sync cord is the first place i would start.

[bob_sunley]

What camera are you using?

[rnt]

Interesting. If the camera is old enough to have a 'bulb' sync that might be the culprit. If the camera sync is set for 'bulb' then it fires the flash a little earlier to account for flashbulb lag time. Make sure it's set on 'X' sync.

[rnt]

Also check to see if some sort of 'preflash' is enabled on your camera. It may be setting off the lights early.

[wvtg]

dad gum piece of crap ebay sycer %%$#%&^*&*^%$#!!!!

 

if yall run into an issue try lickin the bottom of the hotshoe:^E

[peter_j2]

"dad gum piece of crap ebay sycer %%$#%&^*&*^%$#!!!!

 

if yall run into an issue try lickin the bottom of the hotshoe:^E"

 

Say what?!

[colinsouthern]

"dad gum piece of crap ebay sycer %%$#%&^*&*^%$#!!!! "

 

I suspect that the translation may read something like:

 

"I have traced the problem to a low-quality optical slave purchased from a gentleman seeking to make a quick dollar on eBay". aka "Responding to the pre-flash of something like a 350D/400D/30D/40D".

[dave_redmann]

If you want a wireless flash trigger from a reputable company but don't want to spend $300, go to the Alien Bees web site; they sell a trigger for $40 and a receiver for $40, so for $80 you're good to go.