Why do my studio strobes fire but not affect photos on a Canon EOS 550D?
Asked 7/12/2015
2 views
2 answers
0
I’m trying to use a Canon EOS 550D with a pair of simple manual studio strobes and a basic hot-shoe trigger. The strobes appear to fire when I press the shutter, but the photos look the same whether the strobes are on or off.
My camera is in Manual mode at 1/125s, f/1.8, ISO 100. Flash menu options are mostly unavailable with this non-Canon trigger.
Could this be a sync or pre-flash problem? What should I check on the camera and trigger to get the strobes to fire at the correct time?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
1
As some have pointed out, it could be that your camera is somehow in E-TTL mode and triggering the strobes through the pre-flash. If so, make sure that your triggers are compatible with the 550D and that they're making a solid connection. Quite often, triggers can seem like they're attached properly when, in reality, they're not seated all the way (or properly mated with mount).
Also, knowing the model of your radio trigger will help. I've heard stories of people buying radio triggers off of eBay that ended up having a really poor flash sync (>= 1/125 shutters even).
Originally by user21840. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user21840
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Most likely causes are trigger/sync issues rather than a camera menu setting.
Things to check:
- Make sure the hot-shoe trigger is fully seated and making solid contact. Cheap triggers can appear mounted correctly but not sync reliably.
- If any flash is triggering the strobes optically, a pre-flash may be setting them off too early. That can happen with E-TTL or the camera’s built-in flash. For optical triggering, use manual flash behavior, not pre-flash-based metering.
- Try a slower shutter speed than 1/125s to rule out poor sync timing from the trigger.
- Test rear-curtain sync as a troubleshooting step.
- Point the camera at the flash heads and take a shot; if you see only a brief trace, they may be firing before or after the exposure.
- Test the strobes on another camera, or test your 550D with a different trigger or a sync cable if possible.
If you’re using the pop-up flash as the trigger, one answer suggests using the * (FEL) button first, then waiting for the strobes to recycle before taking the shot, since they may fire once for FEL and again for the exposure.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI11y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Can a Canon EOS 4000D trigger studio flashes from the hot shoe?
Can older studio strobes be used with auto exposure or TTL on a Canon 550D?
How do I trigger Novatron M500 strobes with Yongnuo YN-622C transceivers?
Will a CowboyStudio 4-channel trigger work on a Canon 60D, and why are the flash menus disabled?
Why won’t studio strobes fire in Live View on Canon EOS cameras?