DS125 with Nikonos 105 - Sync Problem

hello,

I have a Canon 20D with the Ikelite housing (including E), and a DS125 Ikelite strobe that connected to the camera with cable.

I had a chance to by a Nikonos 105 strobe, and I toke that for a test.

we put the 105 to be in slave mode, the DS125 to work without TTL (Manual 1/2, 1/4 ot 1/8) and tested in-front of a mirror.

in the Air we can saw that the 105 make a shot of light, but in the picture, we saw only the DS125 ligth.

we tried with 3 different nikonos 105, we tried with different configuration in the camera (1/25-1/250) we even tried with Ikelite DS200 as main strobe (replace the DS125), but nothing, only the DS125 light shown in the photo…

does any one have an idea why is that happen? and how can we solve the problem (without buying a new sync cable)?

Thanks

Shahar

do you have the diffuser on the 105? that often blocks the slave sensor.

Also, what you will end up having to do is angle the 105 in more so that it can read the light off the other strobe and therefore fire. You will find this will cause backscatter...

I would really suggest the purchase of a synch cord in order to have consistent results

Thanks

We made the tests in front of a mirror, and the 105 fired (thats for sure)

we also noticed that the eTTL LED in the ikelite housing was on, even if we used a manual configuration in the DS125 strobe. This issue let us to belive that the DS125 use a pre flash, and then the 105 fire to early.

If that is the case (I will love to know if that is not it also), is there any way to disable the pre flash?

Thanks Again

Shahar

if you check out ikelites webpage at:

http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/camcanchart.html

you will see that the 20d housing doesnt use preflash.

Dont know if the housing system can tell which setting the strobe is on.

Shahar,

Coupling an eTTL2 capable strobe like the Ikelite DS125 and ancient SB105 is like putting one bias ply tire on your radial tire equipped car. Recyle time of the SB105 will never keep up with the Ikelite DS125

I'll also bet you will not be able to get eTTL2 from your DS125 and have your SB105 synchronize manual flash fill. You would have to shoot both strobes on manual which IMHO is a waste of having a DS125......

My best advice is to sell the SB105 and get even a small Ikelite DS50 or DS51 for fill.

I see people all the time trying to match these older Nikonos strobes to new digital camera housings wasting hours troubleshooting and $$$$$ on trips not getting the results they envision.

YMMV

dhaas

Any eTTL2 capable camera when connected to an Ikelite eTTL2 capable strobe will know it, when the DS125 head is set to "TTL". But adding a non-digital TTL strobe like the SB105 even on the "secondary" connection likely negates true eTTL2 shooting....

Might more details at www.ikelite.com or email them....

dhaas

Thanks All

I didn't get the SB105 yet, just wanted to check one that is on sell in here.

you realy help me with the decision

Thanks again

Shasharp,

Here is the details from THE authority at Ikelite:

The chart does initially say "no preflash" but they have to read the footnote (1) where it says the preflash is disabled when a hard wire flash is connected, unless it is an e-TTL compatible flash is connected. In that case there is a preflash.

The interval between the preflash and main flash is too short for the SB105 (an SCR type strobe) to be able to perform the main flash.

To disable the preflash, the housing must be placed in manual mode. Holding down both buttons o hte back of the Ikelite housing does this. Then the SB-105 can be used as a slave. The old TTL type cord that allows operation of an Ikelite and Nikonos strobe (without blue band) cannot be used!

If I read the post correctly, they were using the SB105 as a slave. If they put the housing in manual, they will be able to use the SB105 as a slave.

Hope this helps!

dhaas

Thanks a lot

its realy helping

I will try that again