Triggering Flash Heads

[Jasonthejoker]

Hi folks,
I have a shiny new DSLR (Nikon D40 with standard 18-55mm lens) and am absolutely hooked! I've been fishing around at work and found a set of Prolinca flash heads. (Advantage of working in a school - lots of toys that nobody knows about!). I've had a bit of a play and have a question about firing the flash heads. The D40 has no PC sync socket and I don't have a hot shoe adapter to hand. I have tried triggering the flash with the sensor and the D40's internal flash. The system triggers fine, but the shots are not as bright as I would expect. I suspect that the timing could be out, thus the studio flash heads are not in time with the shutter. Is this likely or am I not looking properly? If it is the case can I set the camera to compensate for this or do I genuinely need a hot shoe adapter? I understand that it's normal for 2 flash heads to be triggered one from the other.

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks

Jason

 

[chrisw]

I've not used the D40, but I have a D50 and D200.

Any flash modes that are automatic (e.g. i-TTL) will use pre-flashes before the main exposure to gauge how much power to use when the flash fires for the main exposure.

The problem is, the Prolincas are probably triggered by the pre-flashes and are doing nothing at the point of the main flash when the shutter is open (they'll be busy recycling).

To prove it (or disprove it), take a shot with the Prolincas in view.

Setting the D40 flash to manual mode and minimum power should solve this.

Chris

 

[andrewc]

Need to get either a wireless trigger or a hot shoe adaptor. I found that the pre-flashes on my 350D (since upgraded) caused the flash to fire. I got some cheapy wireless triggers off Ebay and they work fine.

 

[Jasonthejoker]

Thanks guys. Switching the manual flash worked wonders. A hot shoe adapter will be needed though as the on board flash is disturbing the light slightly. I'm taking them home to play now!

Jason