Canon 400D Flash Sync Problem?

[Pocko]

Hi Guys! I'm new to the forum and this is my first post.

I've done a search, but I can't seem to find any topic regarding my flash sync problem.

I have a Canon 400D (I think its called Rebel XTi in certain countries). I do a lot of small product shots in a makeshift studio with 2 flash umbrellas either side of a background table to wall run-up.

Is there a simple way to correct the sync from the camera pop-up flash - so I can use it to trigger the "slaves" on my standing flash units? Unfortunately, the 400D doesn't have an external flash sync output...

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

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[another view]

I'm surprised nobody has answered this yet - I'm not a Canon guy so I'm afraid I can't help.

Wein makes something called the "Safe Sync" which goes into the hotshoe and has a PC socket for connecting to strobes. This solves two problems; having any way to connect to the camera and also it buffers the trigger voltage since without it strobes may fry a DSLR. However, I'd advise against this particular unit. I bought one and it was defective. I sent it back and got another one - also D.O.A. Apparently this is fairly common. I gave up...

Best solution is Pocket Wizards, but they're expensive. Another option for you might be a shoe-mounted flash pointed up and away from your subject. The strobes should be able to see it but it shouldn't really add any light to your shot. I did it this way for awhile.

[Pocko]

^ Hey thanks for the reply AV!

I've found a thread about Pocket Wizards but there wasn't enough info in it for me to know if it would help of not. Besides if it has a high price tag, it would be a factor for me.

Regarding the shoe mounted flash, I have also tried that and to my surprise it didn't work either. I would've thought that the shoe mounted flash (older model Canon 380EX) would be in sync because it works correctly on it's own... but when I use it to trigger the floor flash units, for whatever reason I get severe under-exposure when the floor units fire - even when the camera is on manual setting! In fact, I get exactly the same amount of under-exposure even when I vary the aperture without changing the shutter speed.

I'm not new to photography as it's been a hobby of mine for 30 years (various SLRs Konica, Canon AE1-P and Canon A1, plus various recent point & shoot pocket digitals). However, the Canon 400D is my first digital SLR but I just can't understand why this is happening.

It's likely to be the through-the-lens metering system, but I can't find a way to over-ride it from the menu.

I was hoping it could be something as simple as blocking one or two of the terminals on the shoe mounted flash... but I don't know which one/s and I'm not keen to do a trial and error in case I damage any electrical circuitry.

So far, the only way I have been able to use it is to set the shutter at half a second, and I trigger the floor units by hand in between shutter clicks!

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[another view]

In fact, I get exactly the same amount of under-exposure even when I vary the aperture without changing the shutter speed.

I'll bet the clue is in this statement, but I'm not sure how Canon cameras "think" so hopefully someone else can answer.

Actually before you mentioned the manual setting, I just knew what the problem was...

[Pocko]

^ That's exactly why I thought it's more of a problem rather than my mis-use.

Manual should mean manual. It's what we should be able to use when we want to over-ride the metering system, either with flash or with no flash. In actual practice, the flash metering system won't let go and seems to be interfering when the pop-up or hot-shoe is used.

I'm not sure if my 400D body could be faulty or if this is normal for all fully electronic systems. The place I bought the camera from can't even grasp what I'm talking about. (Appliance mega store where staff are only trained for retail).

Any Canon guys out there?

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Maybe I posted this in the wrong thread. Would it be worth transferring it to a more appropriate forum category?

Thanks!

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