Hi there!

I am no serious strobist so here is a simple question for you guys.

How long can a Sync cord be till the flash doesn't syncronize correctly (or not at all) anymore?

I've got a stone age canon flash, 430EX, and getting a Viv 285HV for car shooting. What I have in mind is a 5m sync cord which heads to a 3x divider from the camera and from there heads 5m away to the 3x flashes close the subject (car). (though flashes are out of the frame)

I'm on a pretty strict budget so cables is the way to go. Pocketwizards are on the wishlist though.

What you guys think?

Thanks,
Sam

If the cords & connections are good, that should work. You may want to consider Cacti triggers, though. Definitely better than fiddling with, tripping over, setting up, and debugging that many cords.

Consideration for long sync cords was why many flash units in the days of pre-electronic cameras had high sync voltages. However, even the low-voltage of flash units today should be good for 5 meters.

If I had to go 10 meters with connections in between, I would recommend testing the setup before depending on it for a session--Chinese-made sync cords are mighty narrow guage and may have other problems.

you shouldnt have a problem with 5 meters. its pretty much the guage and connections of the wires. also when you store your cord try to fold it with as less folds as you can.

Edited to remove incorrect info - thx for the cx...

Actually you've got it backwards: the 285HV is the stone age flash and the 430ex is the more modern. I started using Vivitars in the early 1970s and the design and functionality hasn't changed much since.

You should have no problem splicing together the PC cords, but keep in mind that the trigger voltage is supplied by the flashes not the camera. It should be OK with the flashes you mention but its always best to check any third-party equipment with a digital multimeter before attaching to the camera.

Chuck

cgardner wrote:
You should have no problem splicing together the PC cords, but keep in mind that the trigger voltage is supplied by the flash not the camera and when you tie two or more PC cables together you will be multiplying it.

The voltages are in parallel so they will not add or multiply. I think the current will basically remain the same too.

cgardner wrote:
when you tie two or more PC cables together you will be multiplying it.

Chuck


Huh?

Paramount Cords use top quality wire with a wide range of connectors. If you need something made for your setup, take a look at their web site:

http://www.paramountcords.com

I have no connection with them other than using some of their products. I have a long sync cable for my Speedotron pack but have to watch my step to keep from tripping over it. I hope to retire it with PocketWizards before long.

Paul S

By the time you buy 4 good quality sync cords, you're spending enough money to start thinking about radio triggers (if you start shooting like this a lot, then those sync cords will break and fail sooner rather than later!).

Thanks Guys!

I'm going to buy some Cactus triggers and going to modifie the antenna for more range.

I thought about it... and with that much calbe I guess its just going to be too much of a mess.

Sam,