So, on a shoot the other day I had my 550ex attached to a cybersync, worked great for about 30 shots, then the flash stopped firing. It had new batteries and was ready to flash, the 'syncs (or camera) just wouldn't fire it unless I hit the Test button on the transmitter. I shut everything off, turned it back on and same thing, after about 50 shots the flash was ready to go but wouldn't fire....unless I hit the Test button.
Kinda got annoying after the second and third time, has anyone else had a similar experience? I don't know if it was the cybersyncs or my 20D that was messed up.
yes i did, when i first got them, contacted alien bee's they said cycle the battery in/out of the transmitter and if that didnt do it, send it back. Mine Tx did not duplicate after i reset the battery.
Hey Everyone,
I posted a review of the CST and CSR battery powered units on my blog. I also included an unboxing video and a sekonic light meter hookup video. All of the photos of the units I did this evening.
I got mine yesterday and after several dozen shots around the house with a 580EXII I haven't had a misfire yet. I can't get it to work with my Vivitar 285 HV though. I'm using the Pocket Wizard "electronic flash cable" for Vivitar and the connections are snug, but no flash.
Check with David at customer service. He's pretty knowledgeable about these interface things. Also, Lon at Flash Zebra has a lot of answers and is a real good guy.
Thanks Paul. The Vivitar/receiver combo is problem free now. I called David as you suggested and we went over several things. Ends up that although my connection was snug, it wasn't all the way in. I'm very happy with your product.
CR2450 battery is twice the capacity of the Skyport transmitter coin cell and lasts 1-2 years whether you use it or not. They are available at drugstores and Lowes, etc at about $3.95. AA battery would make it twice as big and twice as heavy.
In your distance testing, the picture shows the antenna pointing directly forward in the direction you tested from. This is probably the worst-case position for transmitting. Therefore, the results you got were very good.
Next time, keep antennas on both the sending and receiving units vertical, not blocked by hardware, and see if you can stretch the distance further.
Thanks for the review. I will probably put in my order soon.
In your distance testing, the picture shows the antenna pointing directly forward in the direction you tested from. This is probably the worst-case position for transmitting. Therefore, the results you got were very good.
Next time, keep antennas on both the sending and receiving units vertical, not blocked by hardware, and see if you can stretch the distance further.
Thanks for the review. I will probably put in my order soon.
CyberSync antenna orientation is surprisingly non-critical in all my tests and user reports. Not so true with many rf products.We tuned antennae for most uniform polar patterns.
I am hoping to do the repeater function. The weather is dropping more and more every day so I've got to get out and at it. I've been tied up with shoots for the past few days. I just wanted to say the Cybersyncs have no missed a single frame in about 400 frames, all studio work.
Yes, CSRB uses 2 AA batteries. CSRB+ also uses 2 AA batteries. The + version is needed to receive the many features of the upcoming Cyber Commander. The complete info on all these will be on our website in a few days.
