Help digital adapter an ys-60 strange behavior??!!

This is some tests I made with the setting of the camera ( canon a95) and my strobe (ys-60).

I can't understand how use correctly the strobe and the TTl function.

The strange thing is that in auto full power is underexposed while 1/2 power is totally dark!!

Av --Full---(60)----8,0----Overex +

Av --1/2---(60)----8,0----Underex ++++

Av --TTL---(60)----8,0----Ok

Auto --Full---(60)----(2,8)----Underx ++

Auto --1/2---(60)----(2,8)----Overex +++

Auto --TTL---(60)----(2,8)----OK (slightly overex)

M ---Full---60----8,0----Overex +++

M ---1/2---60----6,0----Overex ++

M ---TTL---60----8,0---- Underex +

M- Manual AV- iAperture priority () autosetting

The ttl seems to work only in AV ( Aperture priority) is it normal? Why I can't obtain the right exposition with auto setting??

Can someone tell me if I am making mistakes or is there something wrong with my setting hardware??

Andrea

Hi Andra,

I assume the A95 has same behaviour like my S60. TTL metering in the camera is enabled in every mode, except in M mode. That means the camera sends one weak preflash for metering the required strobe light output. Thereafter the main flash for exposure is send. The Digital Adapter copies both flashes including their intensity and drives the external strobe (ys-60 in your case). The external strobe has to be set to TTL that it can receive power control from the Digital Adapter.

You also have to make sure “red eye reduction†is disabled because this feature causes the camera to emit an additional preflash.

Summarized settings:

- camera mode not M, best to start with AV

- set red eye reduction to OFF

- set external strobe to TTL

- Start with ISO 50 or 100 (whatever the lowest setting on your camera is)

This should give you proper and automatic TTL results.

If you set the strobe to full or ½ power, the problem is that the strobe tries to fire the adjusted power twice (preflash and mainflash). With manual power settings (full and ½) the strobe ignores the TTL based automatic light output provided by the Digital Adapter. The result is, that the strobes wastes its energy during the preflash already and has not enough juice left for the mainflash (It might work with ½ power). If you want to use the strobe with manual power settings, you should use M mode on the camera as well. TTL is disabled in the camera when M mode is selected and the camera does not send a preflash. However, you have to set aperture and exposure time manually too.

Hope this helps and your setup will work.

Julian

Thank you very much Jolly for taking time to explain me all this stuff.

So if I have undestand all the things.

!) The best thing is TTL with AV setting

2) if I want use the camera in manual I can change between 1/2 or full power.

3) Auto mode on camera is useless with the strobe.

Wich setting worhs best in your experience with macro shot, I obteneide great shoots with built in flash but always overexposed with the strobe.

THANK YOU for your precious suggestions.

Andrea

I would start with AV mode so you have full control over the aperture. If there is less light, automatic mode would always try to open the aperture (f2.8 for example) to get as much ambient light as possible. Better AV mode and stop down.

yes, if you want to use manual strobe settings (full power / half power), you the camera in manual mode as well (no preflash).

Julian