Wireless trigger for Novatron strobes: Just picked up a Novatron 880 pack and 3 strobes at a great price just to get my feet wet with strobes - I‘ve been using Canon 600EX-RT flashes...

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Just picked up a Novatron 880 pack and 3 strobes at a great price just to get my feet wet with strobes - I‘ve been using Canon 600EX-RT flashes and the ST-E3-RT controller/trigger on my 5D3. Question: is there a radio receiver slave available to trigger the Novatrons wirelessly using this controller? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Spiney Loc: Reading, PA

I used Novatrons in my studio and on location for 15 years. 400, 400VR, and a 800 pack with various regular & multi-stop heads. They were workhorses. I don't have an answer for your Canon device. When I shot Film I started out wired. Then moved to a Quantum Radio Slave II. I later added White Lightning triggered with the Quantum RS2 and triggered the Novatrons with a Photo Slave. Perhaps use a photo Slave triggered with your on camera flash on lowest setting. Or buy a cheap Radio Slave from eBay or Amazon.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Spiney wrote:

I used Novatrons in my studio and on location for ... (show quote)

Thanks so much Spiney. would have preferred something like Alien Bees, but couldn’t resist the 880 plus pack and 3 1000W-sec heads plus reflector and 2 snoots in excellent condition for $75! Just need to get a radio slave.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

TriX wrote:

Thanks so much Spiney. would have preferred something like Alien Bees, but couldn’t resist the 880 plus pack and 3 1000W-sec heads plus reflector and 2 snoots in excellent condition for $75! Just need to get a radio slave.

$75? You are a thief!
Good catch!!!

Spiney Loc: Reading, PA

That was a great buy. When I had mine you could still buy replacement flash tubes. Very important before you use you need to condition the big capacitors in the pack. If I remember correctly Never fire the pack with no heads attached. Don't plug in heads with the pack on.

Attach at least 2 heads. Turn the pack on and then immediately off with it set at lowest power. Then turn on and let it sit for a few hours. Then discharge it. Then take to next level wait an hour and discharge, then repeat for full power. You only need do this if it sat unused for a long time. Mine sat in storage for over 5 years and still worked fine. Do you have a flash meter? You probably want to get one if not. You can use grey card and histogram until you get one, but a meter saves time and makes for accurate light ratios.

If you find you like it and need more power or lights I have an unused 400 or 440 and 1-2 heads I'd be willing to bargain with. Good luck, Spiney-Dave

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-314060-1.html

This is my setup. It makes a difference which way you plug the sync cable into the power box.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Thanks guys - that’s very useful information!

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

TriX wrote:

Just picked up a Novatron 880 pack and 3 strobes at a great price just to get my feet wet with strobes - I‘ve been using Canon 600EX-RT flashes and the ST-E3-RT controller/trigger on my 5D3. Question: is there a radio receiver slave available to trigger the Novatrons wirelessly using this controller? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

TriX, funny you should ask. I just today called Canon and asked that very question. The answer is no!
I have two sets of triggers and neither is working! So for my last three shoots I've been putting a 600 RT behind one of my strobes, set to 1/128 power and triggering with the ST E3. That's assuming your lights will trigger optically, most do.
But I'm calling Photogenic(my brand) tomorrow, since they make a Canon compatible strobe, maybe they make an ST-E3 compatible receiver. That would be SWEET!!!
Maybe Novatron does as well?!
SS

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

SharpShooter wrote:

TriX, funny you should ask. I just today called Ca... (show quote)

Thanks SS, I’ll be interested to hear what you find out.

Cheers

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I see that Youngnuo makes a wireless RF receiver, the YNE3-RX that is compatible with the 600EX-RT / ST-E3-RT system, but I can’t tell from the specs if (a) there a sync cord available with the right plug for the Novatron pack and (b) will it handle the sync voltage of the Novatron? Anyone have any idea or how to find out? (no contact info. for information on the Yongnuo site)

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

TriX wrote:

I see that Youngnuo makes a wireless RF receiver, the YNE3-RX that is compatible with the 600EX-RT / ST-E3-RT system, but I can’t tell from the specs if (a) there a sync cord available with the right plug for the Novatron pack and (b) will it handle the sync voltage of the Novatron? Anyone have any idea or how to find out? (no contact info. for information on the Yongnuo site)

That probably is just for a hot shoe and speedlight . BUT it looks like it might have a sync cord plug on the side, which might be used to connect a strobe.
SS

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

SharpShooter wrote:

That probably is just for a hot shoe and speedlight . BUT it looks like it might have a sync cord plug on the side, which might be used to connect a strobe.
SS

That’s what I was thinking. If so, I could use a regular PC to HH sync cord. If I don’t find a better solution, I think I’ll order one from B&H when they reopen and try it - will let you know if it works.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

SharpShooter wrote:

That probably is just for a hot shoe and speedlight . BUT it looks like it might have a sync cord plug on the side, which might be used to connect a strobe.
SS

So happily, it turns out that the Youngnuo receiver above ($32 from B&H) DOES have a PC output rated for 300 V. Max and will nicely trigger external strobes including my Novatrons - you just need a PC to HH cable. That means you can use your Canon or Youngnuo RT radio flash or controller for both your other radio compatible flashes (with full ETTL) or your studio strobes.

photoaddict

I just got back my 480 box and am glad for this specific thread! I have a functioning wire but was curious about going wireless at some point. Using a Nikon D7500 as well.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

photoaddict wrote:

I just got back my 480 box and am glad for this specific thread! I have a functioning wire but was curious about going wireless at some point. Using a Nikon D7500 as well.

Glad it helped. I’ll be pulling mine out of storage this week to shoot some paper documents...it’s been a year so I hope I remember how everything works.