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Sat Dec 12, 2009 10:19 am

Joined: Sat Dec 12, 2009 10:15 am
Posts: 5

I am borrowing a fellow photographer's wireless transmitters with an option to purchase them. I have two Alien Bee 400's and a Canon 5D and 40D. I've been using the sync cord and would love to break away from that.
I am using an adapter to plug the transmitter into the sync on the flash and it's not firing. Are Pocketwizards compatible with Alien Bees?
All the setting are the same on the camera transmitter and flash transmitter.
My friend is using Photogenic lights and hasn't had an issue.
TIA
Cat




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Sat Dec 12, 2009 10:26 am

Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2009 11:48 am
Posts: 11

Not be to simple but in MY experience, when my pocket wizards do not work, I am usually the one to blame. I fail to sit the transmitter on tightly on top of my camera, or I fail to turn on one of the PW, or I have them set to different channels. Not saying that is your problem, Once I check all of those steps, the usually work.

The PW that is connected to the strobe is connected via the 1/8 inch jack, correct?

Jim




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Sat Dec 12, 2009 10:27 am

Joined: Sat Dec 12, 2009 10:15 am
Posts: 5

yes, it's connected with a 1/8 jack. I will check my camera hot shoe, but when I do a test, they both light up. Tried changing channels, moving from local to remote to both...




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Sat Dec 12, 2009 10:32 am

Joined: Sat Dec 12, 2009 10:15 am
Posts: 5

I've checked and everything checks out. There isn't anything that's supposed to be set on my camera is there??




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Sat Dec 12, 2009 10:45 am

Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2009 11:48 am
Posts: 11

If you push the test button on the camera's PW and the flash goes off, then the camera is not connecting to the PW. You do not need to set your camera to fire the pocket wizard.




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Sat Dec 12, 2009 10:48 am

Joined: Sat Dec 12, 2009 10:15 am
Posts: 5

I am looking at the adapter I have, and I think it's the issue. There are two black stripes on both and the PW and my old sync cord only have one stripe. Off to Radio Shack.
Thanks!
Cat




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Sat Dec 12, 2009 10:50 am

Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2009 11:48 am
Posts: 11

AT RS just get a 1/8 to 1/8 MONO extension cable and you should be set, That is what I use. good luck




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Sat Dec 12, 2009 12:37 pm

Joined: Sat Dec 12, 2009 10:15 am
Posts: 5

Got the cables and they work just fine, $8. Thanks Jim!

Cat




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Tue Dec 15, 2009 1:07 pm

Site Admin
Joined: Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:43 am
Posts: 5266

to add to Jim's observations...
The cables need to be mono, as stated, and need to not be "attenuated". Attenuated cables, often found at Radio Shack, tend to not work with a PW/PCB combo.




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Fri Dec 18, 2009 1:15 pm

Joined: Fri Dec 18, 2009 12:59 pm
Posts: 3

RS mono plug did not work for me!!! I actually bought 2 from RS. went with plan be and made my own from one of the Dummy plugs (came with AB) and cord (came with PW).. works good!!




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