Ike, P.S., help! Another Strobe issue

I cannot seem to get the TTL working for the life of me. When I first received everthing I did a test run in the pool and only one strobe(primary) was firing in TTL. Flip-flopped cables and now neither will fire TTL even after moving cables back to original position.

When troubleshooting it appears the flash is discharging early(pre-flash?) because it is visible through the viewfinder. I checked the camera settings and manual, but it's either TTL, Manual, or Commander(not applicable... I think). Camera to TTL, Housing to TTL, and Strobes to TTL should produce TTL, right?

What is really strange is the primary strobe DID work during the first test but it is un-repeatable. Please tell me I'm doing something really silly and is easy to fix. I'm getting down to the wire with a trip.

Thanks in advance guys,

scoot

4 questions.

1. Are your strobes up-to-date?

DS-50 SubStrobes with Serial Number below 63,850 can NOT be updated to operate correctly with the latest eTTL conversion circuitry. DS-50 SubStrobes with Serial Number between 63,850 and 69,999 operate well with the latest eTTL conversion circuitry, but require a $50 update to provide optimum performance.

2. Do the strobes work when using the manual controller capability of the housing?

3. Are you using the right sync cord (#4103.51 Digital TTL Sync Cord) i.e. a dual sync cord with a blue band on the pig tail?

4. In your testing are you using manual camera settings e.g. F 8 and s 1/100 in your testing or are using P, S or A mode? Hint. The right answer is manual mode with the camera flash set to TTL which is the default.

1. Yes. SN #753xx

2. Yes

3. Yes

4. Yes. Manual, 100, F8, and TTL. Just like you suggest for the beginner setup on your website.

Thank you so much for taking your time to help a new guy.

scott

5. And is the switch on the housing controller set to DS50?

6. If all of this is yes, then when you turn the strobes and the camera on, the controller should start in TTL mode. And if you leave it there and take a picture of yourself looking into a mirror, you should see the flash from both strobes in the picture. Do you see the flashes in the picture?

5. Yes.

6. No. The controller does start in TTL though. Only in Manual will I get the flashes in the picture, with the exception of the VERY first time I put the system together, when the primary would fire correctly. Let be clear, both strobes would fire, but only the primary would show up in the pictue and the secondary could be seen firing through the viewfinder(early).

I'm very suspect of the bulkhead controller being Tango Uniform.

I'm prepared to ship it off to Ike, but I wanted to discuss it with the local Gurus(You).

scott

Sounds like you are doing everything right. Strobes set to ttl, etc. We would suspect a cord problem. If you are pressed for time we should look at the housing, sync cord and strobes. Strobes are probably OK, unlikely that two would malfunction. But since time is an issue, it may be best to look at the entire system.

I'll get it off tomorrow.

Thanks for everyones help.

scott