Frustrated with the Cowboy Studios and YN-560 II

06/08/2012 12:38:59 AM · #1

Maybe I am doing something wrong, but it seems like only 1 in 20 shots will fire, it simply is not working the way I had hoped. Perhaps I am doing something wrong?

1. Channels match on receiver and transmitter.
2. Fresh AAA batteries.
3. Red light shows communication when using the transmitter off camera, no flash, about 1 out of 20.
4. Worse on camera.
5. Camera on manual (flash fire fines while mounted on camera).
6. Flash on manual.

Maybe I totally missed something and I wouldn't rule it out. Any tips or advice?

(BTW, the flash itself is awesome, totally loving it, just struggling getting consistency).

Message edited by author 2012-06-08 00:55:22.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

06/08/2012 01:27:20 AM · #2

Well, I was reading some reviews on Amazon now and there seems to have been a few people that had this problem. I did a few things and it seems to be working better now (95% consistency). I took apart the transmitter and took the battery out for 10 seconds and remounted it (though I don't know why this would do it because like I said the communication seemed okay as the receiver has always synced with the transmitter in terms of the LED). I also plugged and unplugged the sync cable (someone said there's some weird circuit issues with the sync cable and all).

Everything appears well and fine now. We'll see how it works on a couple of small assignments. Maybe it just needed a reset on the transmitter is all I suppose.

smardaz

06/08/2012 02:00:35 AM · #3

man sounds like my life, anytime i ever borrowed speedlights and pocket wizards from my friend it seems like I could never get consistent fires....after I bought my hensel strobes i never had one problem with the transmitter on that one, I don't know what the difference is....I don't think this reply is any help to you but there ya go... :)

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/08/2012 02:08:14 AM · #4

As a general comment, don't get your transmitter super close to your receiver, either. It will cause some seizure inducing pulsing from your flash with numerous makes (Cybersyncs and Cactus for sure). Glad you got things worked out though.

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

06/08/2012 02:16:06 AM · #5

Originally posted by smardaz:

No, it does, it helps to be heard by someone who can empathize is all.

Message edited by author 2012-06-08 02:17:03.

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/08/2012 12:58:22 PM · #6

mine seems to work fine with my 460's, the only time i ever have a problem (the one you mention) is when the batteries in the receiver are dying.

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

06/08/2012 01:11:53 PM · #7

Originally posted by mike_311:

mine seems to work fine with my 460's, the only time i ever have a problem (the one you mention) is when the batteries in the receiver are dying.

Yeah, it's odd. It's working perfectly now, te engineering side of me really wants to know why, but since it works I guess I'll just accept it now.

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/08/2012 02:09:00 PM · #8

it came from china, probably had trouble with the American batteries at first.

sjhuls

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/08/2012 02:14:25 PM · #9

Mine did that at first, then totally died would fire no matter what I did. I only had it for a month so I sent it back and got a completely new one and it has worked perfectly no problems besides the ones caused by me dropping it several times :)

Now I have my strobes that I plug into the wall, no more batteries for me :) and I went through those like crazy probably $20 worth of batteries in a month. I ended buying the big packs from Costco because the rechargeable kind just don't hold a charge long enough.

Of course I use my flashes for stock work and was using them practically every day.

Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 AL Limited AF

06/13/2012 12:35:38 PM · #10

Update, I think it was actually my flash! I have already sent it back. But it was only firing off the camera shoe 1/3 or so when I was shooting a wedding, thought it was the overheating protection, nope, did the same thing when cold with new batteries. I'm getting a replacement this weekend for another wedding I'm shooting next weekend. It was a bummer because I got my stand, bracket and umbrella the same day I sent the flash back. :(

I'm sure the replacement will be fine so not too worried (can complain about $80 flash really).

ti_evom

Pentax K-5

06/14/2012 03:28:55 PM · #11

Don't use alkaline batteries with your flashes(rechargeables work great, or lithiums if you have money to blow constantly)...make sure your shutter speed is at or lower than your camera's flash sync speed. What is the 5DII? 1/250??

Mark-A

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/14/2012 03:34:04 PM · #12

Originally posted by sjhuls:

Now I have my strobes that I plug into the wall, no more batteries for me :) and I went through those like crazy probably $20 worth of batteries in a month. I ended buying the big packs from Costco because the rechargeable kind just don't hold a charge long enough.

Use decent rechargables, preferably at least 2500MAH I find these last ages but do take longer to recharge.

Message edited by author 2012-06-14 15:34:21.

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

06/15/2012 09:00:10 PM · #13

Originally posted by ti_evom:

What's wrong with alkalines? Just curious. So I got my new flash unit to replace my defective one (only fired once in every three to four flashes from off the camera, the new one is fine) the triggers simply do not work. I am thinking of getting the Yongnuo transceivers, but does it require this cable to be attached, or does it fire through the pin on the camera hotshoe?

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/15/2012 09:13:11 PM · #14

im thinking that wire is to use use the trigger to fire the camera.

06/15/2012 09:17:32 PM · #15

Originally posted by mike_311:

im thinking that wire is to use use the trigger to fire the camera.

I think this may just be for older cameras though there is a connector on my 5D2, I'm just not sure if it requires it or if it fires through the hot-shoe as well.

Message edited by author 2012-06-15 21:18:00.

Garry

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

06/15/2012 09:33:07 PM · #16

Originally posted by mike_311:

im thinking that wire is to use use the trigger to fire the camera.

Bingo.

06/15/2012 09:40:55 PM · #17

Originally posted by gcoulson:

Originally posted by mike_311:
im thinking that wire is to use use the trigger to fire the camera.

Bingo.

Is it optional, or does it require it? The cowboy studios (supposedly) worked through the cameras hot shoe pin.

06/15/2012 10:51:53 PM · #18

I'm tempted to try the cowboy studios again, I've heard only good thins and willing to accept I had lemons.