DrPhrogg Loc: NJ

I have a Canon T3i and occasionally use a Promaster 7500DF dedicated digital flash unit. It functions properly when mounted on the hot shoe, but when I move off camera with a Vivitar shoe cord VIV-FC-Can, it does not work. Cord is new. I have checked the continuity of all contacts and find no breaks. Have I missed something? Any suggestions?

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Well, the good news is you saved yourself $55+ over the new Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3 or $2 over what would have spent on eBay for a used one. The bad news is that I haven't the faintest idea why your non-OEM cord won't work. Sorry.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

All I can say is that the reviews on Amazon for your cord ar 1 star and 2 stars...and both reviewers couldn't get the cord to work off camera but the flash would work on camera.


Sounds like that brand of cord sucks.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

Don't know about the Vivitar cord, must not be working. I use a Vello on my Canon SX50 that is supposed to work on ALL Canon dSLR's and it works just fine. Got it on eBay.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Another problem solved. LOL. I have two of the Vello cords, from B&H and they both work well. Probably cost a little more than yours from eBay but much less than OEM cords. ;)

Caranx Loc: Atlanta

There might be continuity but the wiring connections may be wrong for your flash. If you can, return it and get a tried and true replacement. All the best

clicktime Loc: Yucca Valley Ca.

You might be connecting the cord backwards on the hot shoe or the flash. Look at the contact points and make Shure they are lined up correctly.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

That's a physical impossibility.

DrPhrogg Loc: NJ

Agreed, it only goes on one way. Gonna have to ask Vivitar.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

That's true - if somebody hasn't messed with the mount! A whole lot of years age, Nikon offered an off-flash cord (I think it was the SC-17) for the SB-28. Although the shoe mount would only go in as far as the shoe would let it, the flash mount was, of course, designed with stops so that the flash would line up with the contacts. That is, until one guy I bought a cord from (eBay) cut/filed out the stops so he could slide his flash on from the front. When I got the cord, I called him, and he gave me a song and dance about the base of the flash hitting his bracket. The problem was that the cable could be carelessly mounted backward or slip 180° (if mounted without the anti-swivel accessory). That meant that the flash could be mounted backwards on the base. I don't know what kind of havoc that would have raised with the flash or camera. I told him I was returning the cord and he told me I couldn't have my money back. I contacted eBay and the Postal Inspector's Office (I had sent a money order); eBay did nothing (that's why I won't use them) and the PIO threatened him with mail fraud, but wouldn't pursue it for a $50 purchase. I gave the seller a bad rating which never appeared on his record. The moral of the story: if you're buying used, sight unseen, be very careful.

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

Yes it is impossible to connect the cord incorrectly, generally these things do only go one way.

However ... since all the contacts show continuity, it is possible that maybe they don't line up in the shoe or mate properly with the shoe's contacts.

I'm not sure how to test that but what you might do is try to move the connector around a little in the shoe, push it a bit, pull it a bit, rotate it a bit left and right. Also try pressing on it, perhaps the contacts are not totally touching the ones in the shoe.

I'd also not assume the problem is at the camera end, it might be at the flash end instead so go through a similar exercise at the flash end.

Check to see how clean the contacts are too. A pencil eraser can go a long way to shining them up again. In this case though I'd clean the ones on the cord, not the camera or the flash. It sounds to me the problem lies with the cord after all.

Beyond that I have no suggestions.

I shoot Nikon and I have two Nikon flash extension cords both of which bordered on extortion in terms of price but both always work flawlessly. Good Luck!

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

$59 for an SC-28 and $72 for an SC-29 borders on extortion???

DrPhrogg Loc: NJ

By my measurement, the contacts align up properly. If on the flash, I can read continuity at the other end of the cord. I can't check it attached to the camera because they will not be active unless the shutter is depressed, and then only briefly. All units were purchased new, and appear to be undamaged.
On the camera, the camera menu allows be to change exposure. On the cord, the camera says no flash attached.
I have tried it on 2 different cameras- same result. I have a letter in to Vivitar (cord)and to Promaster (flash). If I get it figured out, I will post an answer.