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Mixing speed light and Paul Buff strobe
Jul 14, 2018 08:31:28   #
OriginalCyn Loc: Connecticut
 
How can I use my PCB strobe as a key light and have it trigger my speed light flash as background light? I thought the speed light could be a slave thereby being triggered by the buff light but it’s not happening. Does it depend on the model of the speed light?

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Jul 14, 2018 08:34:23   #
Haydon
 
Hi there, I bought a Paul C. Buff Cybersync CSRB (not the CSRB+) off of e-Bay. It's discontinued but can be found with patience. I use a sync cord to plug into the PC port of my speedlight. You will still have to manually adjust the strength of the speedlight but I do appreciate that it's then radio-controlled giving it an advantage over an optical trigger. I use it in conjunction with an Einstein but it will also work with their Digi-Bee series. I won a bid around 38.00 with free shipping.

Paul C. Buff CSRB
Paul C. Buff CSRB...

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Jul 14, 2018 11:40:02   #
CO
 
I think it's not working for you because the speedlight is expecting to receive the more complex TTL signals that are brand specific. Cameras can do TTL metering with the flash. The camera instructs the flash to fire a few pre-flashes. The camera's metering measures the reflected light and calculates the final flash output level. It might work the other way around however. Your speedlight can probably trigger your P.C.B. strobe. The photoelectric eye on the strobe is only "looking" for a flash of light in order to trigger.

It might work if the speedlight is in manual mode - I'm not sure. It's worth a try. There's no TTL metering going on when it's in manual mode

I've done that several times but using PocketWizard radios. I have a PocketWizard Mini-TT1 transmitter (supports TTL metering) on my camera, my Nikon SB-700 speedlight on a PocketWizard Flex-TT5 transceiver (supports TTL metering), and a PocketWizard Plus III or Plus X (trigger only - no TTL) connected to my Paul C. Buff DigiBee DB800 strobes. The Mini-TT1 and Flex-TT5 transmit both the PocketWizard standard and contolTL channels simultaneously. I can even adjust flash compensation at the camera and it will transmit that to the speedlight.

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Jul 14, 2018 11:44:21   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
OriginalCyn wrote:
How can I use my PCB strobe as a key light and have it trigger my speed light flash as background light? I thought the speed light could be a slave thereby being triggered by the buff light but it’s not happening. Does it depend on the model of the speed light?


Which speedlight are you using? Are you using it indoors?

If your speedlight does not have an optical trigger, you have a couple of choices - you can purchase an optical trigger to work with your speedlight - but you will be limited to indoor work where ambient lighting is lower than outside, or you can get wireless triggers to have the camera trigger both lights at the same time. I use Yongnuo triggers, which cost $33 a pair. You'll need a minimum of 3 triggers if you want to rigger both lights off camera.

http://flashhavoc.com/yongnuo-rf605-flash-trigger-announced/

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1110981-REG/yongnuo_rf_605_n_wireless_flash_trigger_remote_for.html

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Jul 14, 2018 11:49:01   #
CO
 
Entered the same twice.

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Jul 15, 2018 07:15:24   #
Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis
 
OriginalCyn wrote:
How can I use my PCB strobe as a key light and have it trigger my speed light flash as background light? I thought the speed light could be a slave thereby being triggered by the buff light but it’s not happening. Does it depend on the model of the speed light?


Awwwwww Cyn
Save your self a lot of headaches and buy another B400 and a set of radio remotes, My main problem in years past was caused by the slave receiver not being able to detect the main light flash for one reason or another ie. the slave being hidden behind the subject or inside a light modifier. The radio remote does not need to "see" the flash and allows you to move without wires connected to the camera.

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Jul 15, 2018 07:36:28   #
gchapell
 
Look deeper for slave mode. As mentioned before it may be set to ttl and is expecting a direct signal, hot shoe or sync cord, to fire. And yes,not all speedlights have slave mode built In.

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Jul 15, 2018 08:07:33   #
OriginalCyn Loc: Connecticut
 
Thank you for all these prompt replies! I will go check specifics later as soon as I’m up and about. There might be a simple answer here....I’ll let you know. I knew that you guys would have some direction for me. Thank you!!!

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Jul 15, 2018 08:08:39   #
OriginalCyn Loc: Connecticut
 
Manglesphoto wrote:
Awwwwww Cyn
Save your self a lot of headaches and buy another B400 and a set of radio remotes, My main problem in years past was caused by the slave receiver not being able to detect the main light flash for one reason or another ie. the slave being hidden behind the subject or inside a light modifier. The radio remote does not need to "see" the flash and allows you to move without wires connected to the camera.


I do own a second buff 400 but was trying to avoid buying a third!

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Jul 15, 2018 08:13:03   #
Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina
 
I dealt with a variation of this issue a year or so ago. I am using 3 Speedlite 600s and want to also control a couple PCB strobes using the Canon ST R3 on camera. I had also played around with the idea of an optically fired Speedlite but found that no Nikon or Canon ones optically fired. I did get a ProMaster manual one for about $50 that could optically fire but the location of the optical sensor prevented it from being used with most modifiers so it didn't perform the way I needed.

I used the same $33 receiver as Gene to fire the PCB Alien Bees controlled by the ST R3 on camera. All setting have to be changed manually on the Alien Bees still though... You will need a sync cord from the receiver to the strobe most certainly too. So, things can be done but it is not as easy or clear cut as one might hope.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

Gene51 wrote:
Which speedlight are you using? Are you using it indoors?

If your speedlight does not have an optical trigger, you have a couple of choices - you can purchase an optical trigger to work with your speedlight - but you will be limited to indoor work where ambient lighting is lower than outside, or you can get wireless triggers to have the camera trigger both lights at the same time. I use Yongnuo triggers, which cost $33 a pair. You'll need a minimum of 3 triggers if you want to rigger both lights off camera.

http://flashhavoc.com/yongnuo-rf605-flash-trigger-announced/

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1110981-REG/yongnuo_rf_605_n_wireless_flash_trigger_remote_for.html
Which speedlight are you using? Are you using it i... (show quote)

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Jul 15, 2018 08:41:22   #
ronz Loc: Florida
 
I have B800 & 1200 which I sometimes use with my Phottix DI 866 Mark ll speed lights with and Phottix radio triggers for each. Works flawlessly. I have been using them for about 8 years and never a problem shooting nearly every day. Getting ready to order two more receivers for my new lights. I personally think they are the most reliable on the market. They are a little pricey but check them out.

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