5D mkiii strobe sync speed

[Britalicus]

I've just upgraded to a 5Dmk iii. Using this for the first time with studio strobes I'm finding that I can only sync at 1/60th, whereas my 40D syncs at 1/125 with the same radio trigger. Not much good for movement shots! Thoughts on this are:

- is radio tigger too slow for 5D/iii? If so what's best?
- is shutter that much bigger that it takes that much longer to start its pass? Can this be adjusted? Whilst there's a camera flash menu, there is no obvious menu for strobe lighting sync.

Any suggestions appreciated!

Just as a footnote, if you get a mkiii and use Apple, you cannot see raw images in Preview. Adobe have an upgrade to let you see them in Bridge.

[wavemachine]

Well I thought the sync speed of the 40d was 1/250th and the 5DmkIII was 1/200th it would seem there is possibly some lag with the radio trigger which was halfing it for the 40d but 1/60th seems pretty poor!

Have you tried firing with a cable connected directly to the studio lights to see what speed you can get then?

[Britalicus]

Thanks Dave,
Yes, next time I set up lights I'll try it with cable. I suspect that it is the trigger, as I understand some are faster than others. Flash spec says 1/1000 for duration so it's plainly a delay problem.

Having said all that the 5D manual, and 40D for that matter both advise 1/30-1/60 for studio flash! That's not my experience with 40D, where, as you point out, it can go up to 1/160: 1/125 @ f8 though gives best results.

Thanks for taking the time to reply - much appreciated!

[wavemachine]

No worries, I have just reviewed some shots I took using a simple two studio flash set up (interfit) with a Kenko IR transmitter, I shot these using a 7D I managed to shoot at 1/250th at F8 with no sign of sync banding. The 7D has a max sync of 1/250th so I would have though you should get faster speeds than you are getting!

Here is one of them, this I believe was shot at F9 @1/250th ISO100

[Britalicus]

[QUOTE=wavemachine;83401]No worries, I have just reviewed some shots I took using a simple two studio flash set up (interfit) with a Kenko IR transmitter, I shot these using a 7D I managed to shoot at 1/250th at F8 with no sign of sync banding. The 7D has a max sync of 1/250th so I would have though you should get faster speeds than you are getting!


Thanks again! Following your last post I ran the camera on a lead rather than a transmitter, and as suggested, it syncs at 1/200 no problem. So I took the transmitter set apart, and replaced all batteries (one of which I was unaware of!) and we seem to be back in business! Odd that the failure coincided with first use of 5D, as also the failure of the diaphragm on my 24-105 Canon lens (er 1 code). Seems this is a standard problem, as reported widely on the web: fortunately local repairers have done an excellent guaranteed repair. Cannot complain in may respects about the 105, as it has been very heavily used over past five years.

Thanks for the pic - looks good. If you're interested in strobe work on a 40D at 1/125, take a look at my website www.britalicus.com, BUT please be aware this not worksafe!

[wavemachine]

Glad you got it sorted, thanks for the warning on the link I had a look at some of the images and you have great technique and lighting, I have never shot nudes but I do like your work.