I need help using wireless flash triggers properly.
 

Hey everyone. A year ago I purchased those wireless flash triggers from that group buy on revscene. I cant remember which person set it up but I know that people were disappointed when it didnt have the PC sync cord. I didnt know wth that was (and I still dont) so I bought em anyways cause they were cheap and never really got around to using them. Im using a Canon XSI with a 420 EX flash. I hooked up all the equipment and had the flash and reciever on a tripod but every single time I fired it. It was always blinding bright and on max power often washing the entire picture out. I may be an off camera flash noob but am I doing something wrong? I thought the triggers allowed me to use TTL for auto exposure and all the appropriate settings but for the life of me I cant figure it out. If im using the wrong equipment what do I need to buy without spending money like crazy. I thought I had everything I needed.

The triggers im using are these: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13089

There is no TTL function with those triggers at all. You are gonna have to use straight up manual exposure, and adjust the flash power manually as well.

Ahh that makes alot of sense. Any pointers regarding how to set it up properly?

Adjust the flash power until you get the exposure you want.

Or if you can afford, a light meter can go a long way, but can be a hassle to setup with flash guns.

lol i set that up.

and no. these things are strictly triggers. no metering whatsover.

PW or radio poppers for that

FYI:
The Pocket Wizard TTL's aren't working very well with the newer production model 580 EXII's, just to give you guys a heads up. They work fine with older 580 EXII, but it seems Canon started to use cheaper components recently, so the PW TTL triggers are misfiring due to less shielding in the flash's body. It's a Canon problem, not PW's fault.

PW has come up with a solution for that^ starting yesterday anyone who has already purchases the new receivers will be able to sign up and be sent these new socks that go over your flash and block the interference issues for free. All new receivers will be packaged with it starting now.

damn canon flashes!

I wouldn't solely blame canon. yes they changed their design, but Pocket Wizard should have done more testing instead of rushing to get the product out. They apperently did most of their testing using the 430EX, which has the lowest interference of all the canon flashes. They should have tried all the variants before starting to sell. Canon doesn't have to design their products so that 3rd party products are compatable.

lol I bought those too, never used them. I don't even know where they are now

They did alot of testing, but the 580 EXII's they used were the ones that were already out at that time. They delayed the release twice. They've now delayed the Nikon version until next Spring, AFAIK. I guess the blame can go both ways. Canon says it's PW's fault, PW says it's Canon's fault.

Canon doesn't make flashes to be used with pocket wizards, they make flashes to be used with their cameras. If Pocket Wizard wants to sell a product that goes between those two productss, thats their design, its none of canons concern whether it will work or not.

I've got banding issues on my 5D with the cheapo ebay triggers, is that canons fault? nope, its shitty triggers.


If the OP wants to learn how to use the flash/triggers manually, you should definitely start by reading the strobist blog, and checking out the strobist pool on flickr. more info than you will ever need there

Banding? Do you get banding when you lift the shadows? Why would your triggers cause it? AFAIK, it's an inherent problem with 5D's....

Canon's worked with PW with this, but yes, they pretty much ignored the problem.

Its not really banding per say, its like the top 2-5% of the frame goes all funky, like the pixels jump all over like a jig-saw puzzle. I don't remember the exact details, but its something like the AA filter doesn't block out the electrical interference coming from the trigger. Its supposed to only affect certain 5D's, like a certain serial number range. Mine happens to be one of them =( I'm probably ordering CyberSyncs soon, so no matter