DIY Flash Sync Cable

Last summer I picked up a Sony W5 and factory enclosure, and an external Sunpack G-Flash strobe.

On my first dive trip with it I had certain shots (~ 10%) where there wasn't enough light bounce back to trigger the external strobe -- typically objects at a distance (3+ feet) with little or no immediate background objects, or other 'artsy' shots.

The obvious solution is a sync cable right?

Looking for one turned up a fiber optic cable that fit the Sunpack G-Flash (or twin Epoque D+ES-150) -- only trouble was that they want $50 - $60 for the silly thing. A significant fraction of the cost of the oriignal flash.

Since I abhor highway robbery, I have some up with the $5 solution based on a 20" fiber optic light-pipe attachment for AAA Mini-Mag-Lite by Nite Ize. While mine is for the Sunpack, the general approach could be used for other strobes that rely on a light sensor trigger.

I know this is low-end stuff, but is anyone interested in the details?

-- Steve

yes please steve....i notice a cut in my cable plastic casing recently

As long as you can figure out a way to attach the end of the cable to the strobe and housing, you can get many different sizes of fiber optic cable very cheap. When I was using my C5050z and the Ikelite TTL slave sensors, I rigged up a fiber connection for about $5 in parts and some waterproof glue . . . .

Here is how I attached the fiber to the slave sensor:

Here is a picture of the stuff on the camera (only using one strobe in the picture but if you look, there are two fiber cables). I made a flash blocker attachment out of a sheet of polyethylene and some plastic weld glue.

I have the project completed. I will post pics of the final configuration tomorrow. It has worked out really well.

kthan - have you considered using some heat shrink tubing (used in electronics) to repair and reenforce your cut cable?

One of the tough parts was finding some inexpense usable fiber optic line. After a bit of searching, I found a flashlight attachment (www.niteize.com) that seemed to fit the bill. I ended up ordering it online from www.pockits.com and recieved it in a few days ($5.00+shipping). Picture below. After a bit of simple pressure, it disassembles into the flashlight cup and the fiber optic stem -- note the brass grommet that was simply press fitted into the rubbery flashlight cup.

The next step was to find a way of attaching to either end -- on the camera housing and the flash unit. The sensor on the flash has a 9 mm diameter plastic window that protrudes 4-5 mm above the face. My solution was to use a brass pistol cartridge case (380 auto, but a 9mm parabellum would work) that has a hole drilled through the diameter of that brass grommet. For the other end, I found a plastic shelving peg -- I milled one side flat, and drilled a hole the same diameter as the non-grommeted end of the fiber optic line. Plastic grommets used in electronics and a couple of O-rings help keep everything neat.

The flash end of the connection simply slips over the sensor knob. It looks like like so....

Hmm seems I can't attach anymore photos.... I will try and add to this later.