5d mark ii xsync problem

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apdieb
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p.2 #1 · 5d mark ii xsync problem

cineski wrote:
The 5d I/II has a disabled shutter/sync. The mark 1 will only sync to 1/160th with pocket wizards. It's just a limitation that Canon built into the 5 series. You can step down or up to the 1D2/3 to get 1/250th. This is Canon being Canon, and it sucks.

I shoot sync'd in studio all the time with pocket wizards to monolights at 1/200th on my 5D. Haven't tried my 5D MkII yet.

Dec 05, 2008 at 01:40 AM

joykafka
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p.2 #2 · 5d mark ii xsync problem

I use Cactus PT-04. There are four radio channels. One of them allows me to sync at 1/200 without dark side strip on 5D; the other three, 1/160.

I think it is an issue of sync'ing through the radio triggering system.

Dec 05, 2008 at 03:12 AM

sboerup
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p.2 #3 · 5d mark ii xsync problem

For the record, I shoot my 5D1 at 1/200 all day long with PWs. But, also with the Skyports as well.

What brand of lights are you using? Sorry if you mentioned it, didn't read all of the posts so far.

Dec 05, 2008 at 03:35 AM

davenfl
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p.2 #4 · 5d mark ii xsync problem

Daan B wrote:
blonde wrote:
Daan B wrote:
cineski wrote:
Folks, it's a 5d shutter design issue. I've spoken to Canon CPS about this issue with the 5d and PW's and it's a limitation of the 5d. They literally said "Go to the 1d if you want 1/250th flash sync with strobes." Canon will always do this dumbing down to protect the 1D, and the 5d2 is no different, so we're stuck with 1/160th.

I don't own a 5D2 nor have I read its manual... but IIRC someone stated in this thread that according to the 5D2 manual the flash sync speed is 1/200... Furthermore, the OP gets 1/200 with one flash on the hot shoe... So what is going on here? My bet is still on a delay in the trigger system

we are confusing sync speed with speedlights and sync speed with strobes. the 5D can sync just fine with a speedlight at 1/200. with strobes, it is much lower.

Indeed we are

Strobe sync speed: 1/30-1/60
Flash sync speed: 1/200
Flash sync speed with Skyports/PW's: 1/160

How about that for a summary?

My experience indicates Daan's analysis is dead on right. 1/160 is how it works in my world.

Dec 05, 2008 at 03:42 AM

Chris Sorensen
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p.2 #5 · 5d mark ii xsync problem

lidesun wrote:
No way, i used 5D with PW to triger ELs @ 1/200 sec all the time, never had a problem...

Yes, some people get sync at 1/200, but I know more people that don't than do. Canon only guarantees 1/200 for on-camera Canon speedlights. The manual tells you to use 1/160 for strobes. If you're lucky and get 1/200, great. But thinking your camera is malfunctioning cuz you only get 1/160 for off camera lights is incorrect.

Dec 05, 2008 at 04:27 AM

lidesun
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p.2 #6 · 5d mark ii xsync problem

Chris Sorensen wrote:
lidesun wrote:
No way, i used 5D with PW to triger ELs @ 1/200 sec all the time, never had a problem...

Yes, some people get sync at 1/200, but I know more people that don't than do. Canon only guarantees 1/200 for on-camera Canon speedlights. The manual tells you to use 1/160 for strobes. If you're lucky and get 1/200, great. But thinking your camera is malfunctioning cuz you only get 1/160 for off camera lights is incorrect.

No, for on camera Canon speedlights, like 580 EX, you can use the highest shutter speed the camera has, say for 1D Maek II, III, 1/8000sec...but you have to set you flash at H-Syn...

Dec 05, 2008 at 04:33 AM

Chris Sorensen
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p.2 #7 · 5d mark ii xsync problem

lidesun wrote:
Chris Sorensen wrote:
lidesun wrote:
No way, i used 5D with PW to triger ELs @ 1/200 sec all the time, never had a problem...

Yes, some people get sync at 1/200, but I know more people that don't than do. Canon only guarantees 1/200 for on-camera Canon speedlights. The manual tells you to use 1/160 for strobes. If you're lucky and get 1/200, great. But thinking your camera is malfunctioning cuz you only get 1/160 for off camera lights is incorrect.

No, for on camera Canon speedlights, like 580 EX, you can use the highest shutter speed the camera has, say for 1D Maek II, III, 1/8000sec...

I'm not talking High Speed Sync, I'm talking regular sync. The original poster referred to the stated spec sync speed of 1/200th which is regular sync.

Edited on Dec 05, 2008 at 04:39 AM · View previous versions

Dec 05, 2008 at 04:35 AM

lidesun
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p.2 #8 · 5d mark ii xsync problem

Chris Sorensen wrote:
lidesun wrote:
Chris Sorensen wrote:
lidesun wrote:
No way, i used 5D with PW to triger ELs @ 1/200 sec all the time, never had a problem...

Yes, some people get sync at 1/200, but I know more people that don't than do. Canon only guarantees 1/200 for on-camera Canon speedlights. The manual tells you to use 1/160 for strobes. If you're lucky and get 1/200, great. But thinking your camera is malfunctioning cuz you only get 1/160 for off camera lights is incorrect.

No, for on camera Canon speedlights, like 580 EX, you can use the highest shutter speed the camera has, say for 1D Maek II, III, 1/8000sec...

I'm not talking High Speed Sync, I'm talking regular sync.

The original post has nothing to do with the on camera flash anyway....right ?

Dec 05, 2008 at 04:38 AM

Chris Sorensen
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p.2 #9 · 5d mark ii xsync problem

lidesun wrote:

The original post has nothing to do with the on camera flash anyway....right ?

Except for the fact that the original poster thinks he should be getting 1/200 when Canon states that's only guaranteed for on-camera flash. Hence my referring to it to correct his assumption.

Dec 05, 2008 at 04:41 AM

MJHsurfin
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p.2 #10 · 5d mark ii xsync problem

Same here - no problems at all with 1/200 sync & Pocket Wizards with my 5D....firing my AB's & off shoe mounted & manually fired 580EX's & Broncolor Strobes at my local hire studio.......

Dec 05, 2008 at 04:44 AM

lidesun
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p.2 #11 · 5d mark ii xsync problem

Chris Sorensen wrote:
lidesun wrote:

The original post has nothing to do with the on camera flash anyway....right ?

Except for the fact that the original poster thinks he should be getting 1/200 when Canon states that's only guaranteed for on-camera flash. Hence my referring to it to correct his assumption.

meaningless discussion here, 1/200 or 1/160 are all normal for strobe sync speed, it just depends on what strobe systems we use, also the strobe powers etc...usually high power systems have problem with 1/200 etc...

Dec 05, 2008 at 04:47 AM

Ian.Dobinson
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p.2 #12 · 5d mark ii xsync problem

CMOS wrote:
I'm totally ignorant on flash issues, really, but I thought I'd point out that with the 5D2 I noticed that, when using my 580EX, I can now see the flash firing through the viewfinder. On the original 5D, I always had viewfinder blackout during the flash.
Maybe the viewfinder blackout time is reduced for the 5D2 vs the 5D1? Or maybe there is something else at work.
Sorry to distract with what has probably nothing to do with your issue.

your probably seeing the pre flash because if you can see the actual flash thru the VF the sensor cant.

Dec 05, 2008 at 07:07 AM

chromaticblur
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p.2 #13 · 5d mark ii xsync problem

I am seeing the same issue as the OP with my 5D MKII using an Elinchrom Ranger Kit with PWs. Using my 5D MKI, I was able to sync at 1/200. Using my 5D MKII, I am only able to sync at 1/160. Very disappointing.

Dec 23, 2008 at 07:14 AM

PasiM
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p.2 #14 · 5d mark ii xsync problem

1/160 has been max i got with studio strobes, Skyport or FlashWaves.
1/250 with 1DM3.

Dec 23, 2008 at 07:31 AM

RDKirk
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p.2 #15 · 5d mark ii xsync problem

The 5d I/II has a disabled shutter/sync. The mark 1 will only sync to 1/160th with pocket wizards. It's just a limitation that Canon built into the 5 series. You can step down or up to the 1D2/3 to get 1/250th. This is Canon being Canon, and it sucks.

The camera has no way to know that a PW is attached rather than any other dumb-sync hotshoe flash.

blonde wrote:
from the 5DmarkII manual:

"with studio flash units, since the flash duration is longer, set the sync speed within 1/60 sec to 1/30 sec."

Daan B wrote: It depends on the studio strobe (flash duration etc) and the (wireless) trigger system how fast you can sync with studio strobes. But a max of 1/60 is not good IMO.

I'm here to tell you, it ain't a max of 1/60. I finished an annual portrait shoot of a local civic club last week, shooting at my customary 1/160 (from my 5D1) with White Lightning flash units and low-end AC radio triggers. Zero problem.

As the manual said, "with studio flash units, since the flash duration is longer, set the sync speed within 1/60 sec to 1/30 sec." They are placing that limitation on the flash unit, not the camera. There are some HUGE studio flash units that have a quite long duration at maximum power, but I can't imagine why the Canon tech writer had to go that far.

A slower sync is the result of a slower shutter, that is, shutter blades with a slower travel in a less expensive shutter. The faster each curtain can move across the sensor, the higher the shutter sync. This has been known for decades--we saw it when shutters went from horizontal travel across the long side (1/60 maximum sync) to vertical travel across the short side (leaping to 1/125 maximum sync). More expensive shutters drive the curtains faster.

Yes, it's a difference between the 5D and the 1Ds. Yes, it's horrible that Canon puts more expensive hardware in their more expensive camera.

Dec 23, 2008 at 01:56 PM


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