Setting Up S&S YS-D3 Duo strobes with UWTechnics TTL Trigger

[Marmeister]

Hi,

I have a Canon R5 in a Nauticam housing. I’m using an UWTechnics TTL trigger with fiber optic cables to fire my YS-D3 Duo strobes. I can’t get TTL to work.

 

The directions for the UWTechnics trigger say that I need to program the strobes to cancel the pre-flash and to set the optical input in according to the directions supplied with my strobes.

 

The strobe directions say to set the pre-flash cancel as follows:

1. Set the intensity knob to 5.6 and then turn the mode to TTL while holding down the focus light button.

2. Change the intensity knob to match the camera manufacturer (16/160 per the chart for Canon)

3. Press and hold the focus light button again.
 

I did the above, but TTL does not work. It kinda works, but the flash intensity level knob has no affect. Whether the knob is at full power or the lowest setting, the exposure is the same. I also tried 22/220 (instead of 16/160 in step 2 above), but the results are the same. Lastly, I tried 1/10 (because the directions are not clear), but that doesn’t work at all. Regardless of the above setting, the TTL confirmation light flashes red indicating that TTL was not achieved.

 

My camera is set to TTL.

 

The strobes work on manual, and the intensity knob does what it should. So my only problem is with TTL.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

 

 

Edited Friday at 07:59 PM by Marmeister

[Chris Ross]

You are not setting the strobe to pre-flash cancel, the instructions are to set to the correct custom mode in the flash.

 

This is covered in detail on page e-31 of the YS-D3 duo manual, you should get feedback that you have completed the steps per this page.  Blue light to say you are in setting mode and then a buzzer and blue light when it has accepted the input.  The  UWT instructions appear to be saying you want mode C. 

 

The instructions also mention setting the light intensity input, but say that factory default is required , so if you haven't touched this you should be fine.

 

You switch to manual mode 2 when shooting in manual and to TTL on the strobe when shooting TTL on the strobe.

 

I assume you have set your strobe type on the trigger , appears to be 9 for TS-D3 duo strobes.  Also that you have quality optical fibre cables . 

 

Suggest you confirm all this and get back if you are still having problems.

 

 

 

 

[Marmeister]

Thanks a lot Chris.

 

Here are the instructions from UWTechnics and the two sections from the S&S manual:

 

I don't understand the circled sections. In both sections, I start with the intensity knob set to 5.6 then I turn the mode dial to TTL.  It's the second step that confuses me.  I'm supposed to then move the intensity knob to some other setting and then hold down the focus light again.

 

If this is correct, then I don't understand what the intensity dial should be set on for step 5 to 6 for the preflash setup, or for step 7 of the Optical input set up.

 

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Chris Ross]

Ok for the first circle UWT says you want Mode C.  This is turning the dial to 5.6.  If you get the blue light and the buzzer it has been changed.

 

For the second circle UWT says you want factory default, which if you have not managed to set should be set.  But otherwise follow the steps and select mode 10 - which is one on the dial.

 

As I understand it if you already have to have the intensity dial set at the required setting then just hold the focus light button till the strobe responds.  So for you in the first step you are already at 5.6 so leave it there and press the button till you get a response.  In all cases if the strobe doesn't respond as indicated start again.  You should get the blue light to indicate you are in DS-TTL setting and after setting light dial and holding you get the blue light and buzzer.

 

For the second step it's the same except for the additional step of turning to RC mode. 

 

Note that you are setting it work with the UWT trigger - not setting it to work with Canon so you use the settings recommended by UWT.  Give it a try and see how you go.

 

To confirm TTL operation you can set camera to rear curtain sync, put camera in manual as low shutter speed like 1 second.  Take an image you should see pre-flash at start of exposure and main flash at the end,  This is only to test that you are getting pre flash and main flash.

[Marmeister]

Thank Chris,

I really appreciate your help. I tried programming it several times. I get the blue light and the buzzer. However, TTL still does not work. All shots are over-exposed no matter where I set the exposure dial. I guess I need Pavel to help.