Sync speed problems, I think.

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The Matt

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I'm using a canon 450d and nissin Di622, triggered with rf 602s. The sync speed stated in the manual is 1/200th, so I should be able to use shutter speeds that speed and slower than that with no problems, right?
I am getting shots partially blacked out (which I think is shuttter curtain) at speeds as low as 1/125th.
Any idea what I'm doing wrong?
 
Probably nothing,

it's unlikely you will attain max shutter sync speeds with RF 602's
 
Most radio triggers cause a slight delay while their processors sort out the firing signal.

I use RF-602 on a 5D2 which also has a 1/200sec max x-sync speed. With fresh batteries it is all clear at 1/160sec, but there is really no disadvantage to using 1/125sec in a studio situation.
 
The Di622 is notorious for not working properly (if at all) with wireless triggers.There is a (free) firmware upgrade available from the importers which might sort the problem, but if not then you're stuck with what you've got, I'm afraid...
 
HoppyUK said:
Most radio triggers cause a slight delay while their processors sort out the firing signal.

I use RF-602 on a 5D2 which also has a 1/200sec max x-sync speed. With fresh batteries it is all clear at 1/160sec, but there is really no disadvantage to using 1/125sec in a studio situation.
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but massive ones outside, or in other bright ambient scenarios
 
Not all cameras synch at the speed listed in the manual (see this post on the Strobist blog). There is also the possibility that the problem lies with the flash (good tip on checking the batteries), have you tried using the flash at 1/4 or 1/8 power and seeing if you can synch faster then? The flash duration may not be as snappy at full power.

I use the RF-602 with a 40D and have personally had no problems synching at 1/250 with 430EZs.
 
Alastair said:
Not all cameras synch at the speed listed in the manual (see this post on the Strobist blog). There is also the possibility that the problem lies with the flash (good tip on checking the batteries), have you tried using the flash at 1/4 or 1/8 power and seeing if you can synch faster then? The flash duration may not be as snappy at full power.

I use the RF-602 with a 40D and have personally had no problems synching at 1/250 with 430EZs.
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I think it's a bit unfair to say that these sync issues are a camera problem. Even those described on the strobist link. They are timing issues, related to using third party equipment with all sorts of slightly different delays and durations going on. The camera has no knowledge or control of that.

The max x-sync speed is the highest speed at which the whole of the sensor is uncovered at a given moment, plus a little bit (like maybe less than 1.5ms). That's the window during which the flash must fire, exactly, or there'll be problems.

On the link, there's the suggestion that two identical Canon cameras are behaving differently. I guess that's possible, but it's a fault and I'm sure Canon would correct it.
 
It's very simple to check if the camera is at fault - stick the flash on the hotshoe and see what speed you get. If it's suddenly 1/200 then the problem lies with either the triggers or the flashgun, however the fact that it's firing at all means that you're a step ahead of most people trying to use that combo
 
Thanks guys, I'll have an experiment and see if I can get any improvement. I wish I'd realised what a pain the 622 was before I'd bought it. At least with the 602s it does actually fire which is better than it does with some other triggers.
 
The Matt said:
Thanks guys, I'll have an experiment and see if I can get any improvement. I wish I'd realised what a pain the 622 was before I'd bought it. At least with the 602s it does actually fire which is better than it does with some other triggers.
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It's worth a phone call to Kenro, UK distributor. They are fully aware of some compatability issues and claim to be able to fix them, FOC I think. They'll need the serial number to get the exact production spec http://www.kenro.co.uk/contact.php
 
different cameras have different tolerances, I can sync my 1d3 at 1/320 (max sync in the manual) with rf602s but have to back my 5dII down to 1/160 (max sync is 1/200), which is a whole stop of ambient killing power
 
I shoot a lot of my biking photos at 1/250 with my 450d, RF602s and YN-460 flashes. This is faster than the rated max speed but it works fine!
 
HoppyUK said:
I think it's a bit unfair to say that these sync issues are a camera problem. Even those described on the strobist link. They are timing issues, related to using third party equipment with all sorts of slightly different delays and durations going on. The camera has no knowledge or control of that.

.. <snip> ..

On the link, there's the suggestion that two identical Canon cameras are behaving differently. I guess that's possible, but it's a fault and I'm sure Canon would correct it.
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My error, I should made it clearer in my first reply that it related to camera/trigger/flash combinations against published synch speeds in the camera manual.

What the Strobist article is suggesting is that two cameras (same make and model) do not achieve the same level of performance with the (same make and model) third party equipment. This isn't blaming the camera for a problem, but highlighting that acceptable quality tolerances will combine in sometimes unpredictable ways when using equipment from different manufacturers in combination. The point that the Strobist article was making is that you need to understand your equipment and know its limitations.

I suspect the problem lies with the flash rather than the camera or trigger, but some experimentation is needed to confirm this (change batteries, try low power settings, try a different flash, try changing the 602 channel jumper settings).
 
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