Flashpoint 320M HELP!

dandaluzphotography · May 4, 2011

Hey Guys,

So I just picked up a flashpoint 320M kit from Adorama for use with Canon XSI. I also picked up a hot shoe PC out as my XSI doesn't have one.

I set up one light with the sync cable connected to the hot shoe PC Out and it would not fire. When I removed the PC out, opened the pop up flash and turned on the sensor on the 320, it fired when I pressed the shutter release and it saw the pop up flash. Obviously, this is not what I want.

Any ideas what might be happening? I think this hot shoe PC out might be defective. Or is there some setting I am missing in the XSI?

Thanks,
Danny

Derrel · May 4, 2011

IS the slave on the 320M set to OFF, thus switching ON the PC outlet??? It is possible that the PC outlet that goes into the hotshoe is defective. Heck, anything is 'possible'.

dandaluzphotography · May 4, 2011

Hey Derell,

I thought of that and made sure the sensor was off. I'll bet this pc out was DOA.

Thanks for the quick response.

Danny

dandaluzphotography · May 4, 2011

So... I went to a local camera store and picked a new PC out and now it works. Phew. I thought I might have had a problem with the hot shoe.

Thanks,
Danny

Village Idiot · May 5, 2011

Check out something like this:
Amazon.com: Yongnuo 2.4GHz Wireless Flash Trigger/Receiver and Shutter Remote for Canon 1D/5D/7D/10D/20D/30D/40D/50D DSLR: Camera & Photo

$40 for a radio trigger that will allow you to wireless fire you light. If you add more lights, add more receivers and the correct cables. Much more convenient than being tethered to your lights.

dandaluzphotography · May 5, 2011

Hey Thanks for that. I'm definitely going to pick that up.

I was at the camera and they had a pocket wizard setup for 170. I figured that would be the going rate for a wireless trigger. Does the one you mentioned do the same thing?

As far as adding more lights and more receivers, I wouldn't need it. I can setup the second or third light in slave mode and trigger it from the main light.

Danny

Village Idiot · May 5, 2011

dandaluzphotography said:
Hey Thanks for that. I'm definitely going to pick that up.

I was at the camera and they had a pocket wizard setup for 170. I figured that would be the going rate for a wireless trigger. Does the one you mentioned do the same thing?

Danny

Probably similar. Now, was that $170 per Pocket Wizard? Their normal going rate is about $170 a piece for the PII. You need one on the camera to trigger and one on each flash. That's why I didn't mention them. I have 5 and they cost me about $900 at their original prices. Not exactly budget friendly for a noob. If you want cheaper and reliable, check out the PCB Cyber Syncs sold by Alien Bees. They're great for the money. They cost $60 for a receiver and $70 per receiver.

dandaluzphotography · May 5, 2011

Village Idiot said:
dandaluzphotography said:

Hey Thanks for that. I'm definitely going to pick that up.

I was at the camera and they had a pocket wizard setup for 170. I figured that would be the going rate for a wireless trigger. Does the one you mentioned do the same thing?

Danny

Click to expand...

Probably similar. Now, was that $170 per Pocket Wizard? Their normal going rate is about $170 a piece for the PII. You need one on the camera to trigger and one on each flash. That's why I didn't mention them. I have 5 and they cost me about $900 at their original prices. Not exactly budget friendly for a noob. If you want cheaper and reliable, check out the PCB Cyber Syncs sold by Alien Bees. They're great for the money. They cost $60 for a receiver and $70 per receiver.

It was 170 for a receiver and transmitter.

I am a noob when it comes to this kind of photography. I'll go with the one you suggested and see how that works. Having the light cabled to my camera works ok for now, but I imagine as I move to different sets, I would definitely want to take advantage of the freedom a wireless trigger offers.

Thanks

Blake.Oney · May 5, 2011

I use these with my 320m's and I've never had a misfire.
Amazon.com: CowboyStudio NPT-04 4 Channel Wireless Hot Shoe Flash Trigger Receiver for Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus & Pentax Flashes Other products by cowboystudio: Camera & Photo

The cables the 320m come with work with those also.

How do you like the flash? I love mine.

dandaluzphotography · May 5, 2011

Blake.Oney said:
I use these with my 320m's and I've never had a misfire.
Amazon.com: CowboyStudio NPT-04 4 Channel Wireless Hot Shoe Flash Trigger Receiver for Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus & Pentax Flashes Other products by cowboystudio: Camera & Photo

They also come with sync cables that fit the 320m.

How do you like the flash? I love mine.

I'm hesitant to buy stuff from Cowboy Studio. I haven't read a lot of good reviews. They're pretty mixed.

Does it come with the Sync cable that fits the 320M by default or this extra?

I love the lights so far. I just got my kit yesterday and setup one light. It was really good. At least as far as I can tell. I'm new to the whole monolight thing.

Danny

Big Mike · May 5, 2011

Other popular radio trigger sets can be found here...Gadget Infinity :: Digital Camera :: Flash Trigger :: Wireless Trigger

I've tried the cheaper ones and wasn't completely satisfied with them, which is why I use the PCB Cyber Sync triggers.

Blake.Oney · May 5, 2011

The longer sync cable that came with the 320m fits the cowboy studio receiver. The cable that has the 1/4 inch jack that came with your flash.

dandaluzphotography · May 5, 2011

Blake.Oney said:
The longer sync cable that came with the 320m fits the cowboy studio receiver. The cable that has the 1/4 inch jack that came with your flash.

Perfect! Thx!

dandaluzphotography · May 5, 2011

Big Mike said:
Other popular radio trigger sets can be found here...Gadget Infinity :: Digital Camera :: Flash Trigger :: Wireless Trigger

I've tried the cheaper ones and wasn't completely satisfied with them, which is why I use the PCB Cyber Sync triggers.

Thanks!