Topic: completely unexposed when using strobes (Read 4020 times)

Endeavour · « **on:** February 07, 2016, 05:14:46 pm »

Hi
I am trying out my Hasselblad H1 with a studio setup. In manual mode the camera is taking good images.

However, when I am using it in the studio, with a couple of strobes, I am not getting anything in my negs (pretty much 100% transparent)
I am using a flash/light meter to get my exposures, and they look spot on when I use it's settings on my canon dslr. But every shot with the hasselblad is junk.
The strobes were definitely triggered when I took the shot, via a basic wireless trigger mounted on the hotshoe. I tried in 800 and 500 shutter speeds.

any ideas please?

douglevy · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2016, 05:23:24 pm »

Have you tried with multiple lenses? How are you triggering the strobes?

Endeavour · « **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2016, 05:41:04 pm »

I only have one lens right now (80mm) but I plan on renting 120/150mm when I do some proper studio work. but now I am worried I wont get any exposures

I'm triggering the strobes with an intefit kit: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/680984-REG/Interfit_STR130_Strobies_iSync_4_Wireless.html

Endeavour · « **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2016, 05:45:12 pm »

I am assuming I'm probably just going way beyond what those triggers can sync at.

MAmaro · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2016, 05:51:18 pm »

lotusEsp,

I was going to just suggest trying lower shutter speeds start at 1/125, 1/250 and see if you exposure looks better, to test the triggers. But, it looks like you have reached that same possible conclusion.

Endeavour · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2016, 05:56:18 pm »

thanks I will try. I've only just got the stink of developing chemicals off my hands for one day - I'll again next week

out of interest, if I did want to sync at 500 or 800, what are my options? a pc cable running directly to one of the strobes or are there wireless triggers which dont cost thousands which will work?

Joe Towner · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2016, 07:43:04 pm »

+1 on the sync speed being way too fast - 1/200th should work, but should isn't great for client fun.

Grab one of these? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hasselblad-H-Polaroid-Magazine-/111748296587 and test with fuji pack film.

Quote from: lotusEsp on February 07, 2016, 05:56:18 pm

thanks I will try. I've only just got the stink of developing chemicals off my hands for one day - I'll again next week

out of interest, if I did want to sync at 500 or 800, what are my options? a pc cable running directly to one of the strobes or are there wireless triggers which dont cost thousands which will work?

If you want to do 500/800 you'll need to get faster radios & strobes. Pocket wizards only state 1/500th, and generally when you go that fast, stick with a 'system' rather than trying to pair things together. So Bron with Bron trigger, or Profoto with Air trigger - both I've used at 1/800th.

I've used the Einsteins with Cybersync wireless at 1/800th enough to recommend the package.

MAmaro · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2016, 11:52:29 pm »

lotusEsp,

Joe provided some good options for triggers. I've used older skyports (to 1/400) and profoto air (to 1/1600). But, if remote triggers don't work, tried and true basics like a sync cable should do the trick for all speeds that the camera, lenses and packs sync up to.

douglevy · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2016, 10:24:57 am »

I use skyports up to 1/800 all the time, but pocketwizards only really work up to 1/250.

minicoop1985 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2016, 10:33:32 am »

This seems stupid, but are you sure the trigger is properly seated in the hotshoe? I actually had to modify my hotshoe to allow me to mount my Yongnuo trigger to the hotshoe. I shaved a little off the plastic in the middle to make a ramp that allowed the metal prongs to actually climb up the shoe. My Mamiya 645AFD required the same modification.

Ken R · « **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2016, 11:28:31 am »

Quote from: lotusEsp on February 07, 2016, 05:14:46 pm

Hi
I am trying out my Hasselblad H1 with a studio setup. In manual mode the camera is taking good images.

However, when I am using it in the studio, with a couple of strobes, I am not getting anything in my negs (pretty much 100% transparent)
I am using a flash/light meter to get my exposures, and they look spot on when I use it's settings on my canon dslr. But every shot with the hasselblad is junk.
The strobes were definitely triggered when I took the shot, via a basic wireless trigger mounted on the hotshoe. I tried in 800 and 500 shutter speeds.

any ideas please?

I have Pocket Wizards and use them at 1/500s with my H1 and Phase back without issues. As with anything photographic you must test it for your use before relying on it 100%.

Endeavour · « **Reply #11 on:** February 08, 2016, 12:09:19 pm »

Quote from: Ken R on February 08, 2016, 11:28:31 am

I have Pocket Wizards and use them at 1/500s with my H1 and Phase back without issues. As with anything photographic you must test it for your use before relying on it 100%.

which PWs do you use?

Ken R · « **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2016, 08:48:50 pm »

Quote from: lotusEsp on February 08, 2016, 12:09:19 pm

which PWs do you use?

The Plus II's. Have had them for many years. Still work well so see no need to change. I can verify and do a shutter test in my studio when I get a chance later this week.

But in PW's user manual states: Fast Sync Speeds – Compatible with most cameras’ fastest X-Sync speeds including: — 1/250 Focal Plane Shutters
— 1/500 Leaf Shutters

HERE

Endeavour · « **Reply #13 on:** February 08, 2016, 09:21:22 pm »

Thank you Ken

well I had another go tonight. burnt a roll of film to test shutters between 125 - 250 and I can tell as soon as I got the reel out of the tank there were images

so thats a great success, in that it confirmed the shutter sync was the issue. Now to wait a couple of hours to see what the actual exposures look like

thanks for all the comments

NickT · « **Reply #14 on:** February 09, 2016, 01:00:09 am »

I have the same wizards and they work great but flash exposure does drop off as shutter speed increases which I put down to flash duration on some of my crappier lights. I should really test vs hard wired.

synn · « **Reply #15 on:** February 09, 2016, 05:22:16 am »

I use PW Plus IIIs and Plus Xs. I have managed to successfully sync my d45DF+ and 80mm LS at 1/800 with them, but 1/500 is more of a "Usable" SS.

Try firing the strobes wired, via PC sync. If that works, it's definitely your triggers that need replacement.

Conner999 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 09, 2016, 09:44:55 am »

A coupe of articles here might be useful re: triggers.

https://captureintegration.com/flash-duration-vs-sync-speed-vs-triggering-method/

minicoop1985 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 09, 2016, 11:59:11 am »

Quote from: synn on February 09, 2016, 05:22:16 am

I use PW Plus IIIs and Plus Xs. I have managed to successfully sync my d45DF+ and 80mm LS at 1/800 with them, but 1/500 is more of a "Usable" SS.

Try firing the strobes wired, via PC sync. If that works, it's definitely your triggers that need replacement.

Yes, do this.

Endeavour · « **Reply #18 on:** February 09, 2016, 12:15:19 pm »

Quote from: minicoop1985 on February 09, 2016, 11:59:11 am

Yes, do this.

strangely my strobes didnt behave very well with the cord. they would fire once, and then not fire again - it seemed the recycle time went through the roof. Whereas with the remote triggers, the recycle time was as expected.

minicoop1985 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 09, 2016, 12:25:31 pm »

I had this happen with a Mamiya 645 Super. Are they going off at all? If they are, it sounds like the contacts that complete the flash circuit are toast. May have had something too powerful hooked up (not sure what the max voltage the hot shoe can handle). Might need to be sent to Hasselblad to be figured out. Do you have access to another prism, by any chance? Just a random thought.

Author Topic: completely unexposed when using strobes (Read 4020 times)