500D sync problem

DaveRed

DaveRed

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Dave (Who'da thunk it!)
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Help!

I've just dug out my lights (that i've hardly used since I bought them). Its the first time I have tried to use them since I bought my 500D earlier this year.

What I am trying to figure out is why it is catching 2nd curtain each time at 1/200. Down at 1/160 its fine, but the 500 should sync at 1/200 I believe (my old 400 certainly did).

Kit in use is Canon 500D, Calumet trigger, Interfit Stellar 300's.

Im stumped....any tips from the guru's? :)
 
I have the same problem with the 5D. Will only sync to 1/160 with the studio lights. Is fine at 1/200 with a flash though.
 
Oh its not just me then. Its not something critical, I was just mucking about with random shots really, but it certainly got me curious.

Oddly my old 400D would sync at 250th every time, which everyone told me it wasn't capable of!
 
My 1D doesn't have any problems at 1/250. It is a known problem with the 5D and I believe the 5D MkII as well.
 
Thanks Dave...I will at least rest easy that its not user error :D
 
It could be a triggering delay with your radio trigger, almost all radio triggers have some delay.

Or it could be less-than-perfect batteries in the radio trigger.
 
Garry Edwards said:
It could be a triggering delay with your radio trigger, almost all radio triggers have some delay.

Or it could be less-than-perfect batteries in the radio trigger.
Click to expand...

That's what it is.

My 40D would sync at its full nominal max x-sync speed of 1/250sec using IR/light triggering or hard wire, down to 1/200sec with a radio trigger.

By the same methods, my 5D2 does 1/200sec (claimed max x-sync) and 1/160sec.

This is entirely normal. It's the processing delay in the radio triggers. Only the (expensive) Pocket Wizards will do the full x-sync speed as stated - of the ones that I have tried.
 
Cheers guys. I did have half a mind that it might be a delay in the trigger. I tried new batteries and its still the same. Doesnt make any difference really. At least I know its not me being a numpty :D
 
My rf602s give me full sync on all cameras.

Elinchrom Skyports usually give me full sync.
 
Kris said:
My rf602s give me full sync on all cameras.

Elinchrom Skyports usually give me full sync.
Click to expand...

Mine don't (RF-602), not with any Canon camera I've tried. Not if you look carefully at full x-sync against a plain white background. It's close, sometimes unnoticeable with many subjects, but the shadow of the second curtain closing is there. Gone at one click slower (one third stop).

On the other hand, I have half an idea that Nikon actually have a bit more leeway on this, or maybe it's their exact sync timing that is just a little bit different to Canon. Are you using Nikon?
 
Mine do (2 trans, 5 receivers), and I have looked.

250th 50d.
200th 450d/550d/400d
200th 'usually' on a 5dII

I do run lithiums in them. Maybe this has an effect?

Ho hum.
 
Kris said:
Mine do (2 trans, 5 receivers), and I have looked.

250th 50d.
200th 450d/550d/400d
200th 'usually' on a 5dII

I do run lithiums in them. Maybe this has an effect?

Ho hum.
Click to expand...

I think I have the answer :) It's the flash duration.

5D2 at 1/200sec shutter speed (nominal max x-sync speed) with RF-602, I can get clear exposures with a 580EX at 1/8th power and lower, when the flash duration is roughly 1/8000sec or less. At 1/4 power and above, I get shadowing.

With my Elinchrom D-Lite 2, which has a claimed t0.5 flash duration of 1/1200sec at all power settings, I get strong shadowing at 1/200sec shutter speed and need to go down to 1/160sec to get all clear. The nature of the flash pulse is quite different with studio flash, with a long tail compared to the sharp cut-off you get with thyristor controlled hot-shoe guns, but that's not relevant here.

Does that fit with your experience?
 
Garry Edwards said:
It could be a triggering delay with your radio trigger, almost all radio triggers have some delay.

Or it could be less-than-perfect batteries in the radio trigger.
Click to expand...


I'm sure I've come across this before and it was the Calumet triggers that were causing the problem in that case, so...:shrug:
 
Flash In The Pan said:
I'm sure I've come across this before and it was the Calumet triggers that were causing the problem in that case, so...:shrug:
Click to expand...

Hmm..interesting. Its the same trigger I was using on the 400D though and I never had trouble with that. Odd.
 
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