Sync Leads - boy do I sound stupid...

[karenl]

But, up until now I've used continuous lighting so this has never cropped up before. However, I've just taken the plunge and bought myself a Bowens kit off Ebay. It all seems to work fine, however, what do I do with the sync cable? I understand the big end goes into the strobe, and the other end into my camera (which I can't do at the moment because I've only just opened the parcel and my camera is in my sleeping son's bedroom cupboard!).

I've got two lights, and planning on getting a third, so where do I plug the other cable? Sorry for my complete stupidity, but I've never done this before. I did a fantastic course with Brian Smith in April, but it was in his studio which is all set up, I didn't look at how all the cables etc fit together. I know that Brian uses a wireless trigger which I'm going to get, but in the meantime what do I do.

Answers on a postcard please...?

Thanks :(x

[Chris Hawkins]

You connect the pc sync to one strobe and ensure the others have slave enabled. When you fire the strobe connected via the sync the rest will fire :-)

[karenl]

Hurrah :clapping:Thanks for the reply!

While I'm on the subject of lighting, does anybody recommend a particular brand of wireless trigger. I've been doing a bit of research and it seems that Pocketwizard are the market leaders, but to have the set up I want you're talking £600 thereabouts!

Any others out there, people would say are almost as good?

Many thanks!

K :)

[MickT]

Hi Karen...that's really expensive....have a look here http://www.warehouseexpress.com/category/basecategory.aspx?cat03=3115
...I use the prolinca one - I know it's listed as elinchrome, but it worked with Brians studio set-up too as it's basically an IR transmitter. Also, one cheap way of trying it out...stick a piece of red gel over your flash ......:)
Cheers
Mick.

[.Ray]

I'm guessing the pocketwizards are probably ott for your needs. The main advantage of them is they are radio controlled so they work long distances, behind objects and around corners; also the signals are coded so they can't be accidentally triggered by other people's units.

I think Mick's idea of an IR trigger might be your best option.

You may have seen some cheap radio triggers on ebay, which I have tried but have found to be somewhat unreliable, sometimes it will fail to fire.

[lostmysnorkel]

I got one off ebay a few years ago and it's still going strong.

Can't remember what it's called though!

Something like Mini-Magic Ithink.

Paid about £40 for it, but it does rely on 'line-of-sight' between trnsmitter & receiver (although a shoot-through brolly doesn't affect it!)

[steveathome]

I have the Ebay tirggers, of which I first thought were great (no doubt there many different types) but found them prone to mis-fire on occasions.

Since getting the Elinchrom Skyports (universal) I have no regrets. Never one misfire. Sell for around £120 from the flash centre.

IMHO the pocket wizards are too top heavy and cumbersome on top of an Slr, just my opinion.

[swanseamale47]

I also use the Prolinka one it works fine with the Canon and Nikon cameras I have used it with. Wayne

[karenl]

Thanks everyone, I think I'll go with prolinka having had a quick look about. I've just bid on another 500w light and a beauty dish on Ebay - wish me luck!

K x

[.Ray]

IMHO the pocket wizards are too top heavy and cumbersome on top of an Slr, just my opinion.

They do look kinda tall, but nowhere near as top heavy as a hotshoe flashgun.