Been awhile since Ive been here.... but I need help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MyaLover]

So I got a new set of strobes (well my first set!) they fire great... only when my on camera flash (or my speedlite) is covered. They seem to not fire when my flash fires too. Is this normal and is there a way to remedy it? I have a canon digital rebel btw

 

[MyaLover]

ok now its not working at all... with or without my flash covered.... SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!!! soooooooooooooooooooooo frustrated!!

 

[jman6785]

are you using pocket wizards?

 

[IgsEMT]

how are the strobes connected to the camera/how do you set them off?

 

[Derrel]

I put up a response to another similar flash question here; maybe it will be of some use to you?

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...-gallery/187854-jtl-160-strobe-w-softbox.html

Setting your on-camera flash to a manual flash control mode might trigger the other strobes if they have optical slave units turned on.

 

[MyaLover]

they have a built in sensor on the strobes. and since im a complete strobe virgin, i dont know what a pocket wizard is

 

[MyaLover]

If i dont cover my flash and the strobes fire, the pic is dark, like the flash was the only thing on. even though i see the strobes firing. but sometimes ill get a pic where the strobes have clearly fired. I need laments terms here

 

[Dao]

Would it be your camera fired the pre-flash and that triggered your strobes before the photo was taken?
Is there anyway you can disable the pre-flash to make sure that is not the case?

 

[Don Kondra]

I would suggest you not use the on board flash at all

Instead use a cord to connect the camera to the strobes or purchase a remote transmitter and receiver. The transmitter sits on the camera's hot shoe and the receiver plugs into the strobe.

Here's an affordable source, check for the model that will fit your camera.

Gadget Infinity

Then you shoot in manual mode, set your shutter speed to your camera's flash sync speed, probably ~1/200. Then you balance the light between strobe power and f value.

Cheers, Don

 

[Montana]

Yep, I bet your stobes are firing when your pre-flash fires. Use a cord to one of the stobes and let the others fire through their optical slave.

 

[Big Mike]

I agree, it sounds like the on-camera flash is firing a pre-flash, which triggers the strobes prematurely. If you can set your flash to manual, that should fix it...but I agree that not using it at all, is a better option.

Either use a cord or a wireless radio trigger.

This is actually a fairly common mistake for strobe virgins.