mini digital Subtronics

I have recently purchased a pair of mini digital Subtronics for my D70 (Subal housing) and the TTL (iTTL, dedicated to Nikon D70) does not work. A friend of mine is using the exact same set-up and experiencing the same problem.

I have contacte Subtronics and whilst I wait for their reply, I was also wondering whether somebody had any idea at all.

Thank you!

Stephanie

I just recall that the mini version named "mini digital" is a strobe for optical triggering. Just to avoid misunderstanding, you have two dedicated "i-TTL" Subtronic Mini strobes and contacted them via electrical sync cords?

Julian

Julian, that's correct, I have two dedicated iTTL Sub Mini, connected via electircal sync cords. thanks!

Steph

Mh, possible reasons:

- wiring in the housing doesn't match Subtronic's sync cord wiring. But I would not expect so. What happens, if you hit the trigger? Does the strobe flash at all? I assume you have already tried with just one strobe?

Julian

I have tried with one strobe only and the problem is the same. If you set the flashguns on TTL they work as if they were in full power. When you use the flash in manual, they work perfectly well.

Somehow I am inclined to think it's something to do with the wiring inside the housing but I don't really know how to test this, other than ask the retailer of the housing to help me...

The other thing that has happened is that the flashguns have altogether stopped firing and am now sending them to Subtronics for repair.... they receive the message from the camera but effectively are not firing anything.

yes, wrong wiring is possible as the strobes seem to respond to the basic x-sync trigger signal but not to the rest of the TTL protocol. On the other hand, if both strobes won't fire at all - there might be some different problem.

Subtronic and Subal could tell how they do their wiring. Did you order the Subal housing with i-TTL wiring? Maybe there are different versions like manual strobe control wiring.

Julian

Julian, thank you for your reply, I will investigate the wiring situation and get back with hopefully the solution!

Thank you

Stephanie

Stephanie,

I've had the same problem with mine Subtronic Maxi on Subal ND70. I sent it back to the origin (Subtronic). Now is working fine on TTL. I got used to Manual anyway but is good to know TTL it's there when you need it

Carlos, after spending great part of the evening (and the night) playing around with the wiring, on the phone with all the "TTL experts" I could get hold of, I actually came to the conclusion that sending them back to the origin is the way forward!!! Thank you for reinforcing this point!!!

I will provide a follow-up on the solution!

Stephi

Hi Stephanie,

you can connect the cable coming from the bulkhead inside the housing to two different sockets on the circuit-board. One is wired with 2 or 3 pins, one with 5. Do you use the 5pin?

Just an idea...

Cheers

Torben

Hello Torben

I will test this tonite and let you know what happens. What Subal has told me is that only one flashgun can work in iTTL (the one that is connected to the 5-pin socket) whereas the other flashgun can either work as a slave or can be connected to the 3-pin socket - in my housing I have an extra bulkhead fitted so I use both sockets on the circuit-board.

I feel I am getting closer to the solution.... thanks for all the input!!!

Stephi