Problems with off-camera OC-E3 cord

[pinkchimney]

Hi all,

A few years back, I had bought an OC-E3 cord for a Rebel XT and had it modified with XLR connectors to allow it to accept and XLR extention to get the flash far off the camera. It worked like a charm. Since that time, I had moved up to a Canon 50D. I tried to use this same cord with the same flash and the 50D but it does not work. The camera recongizes an external flash is connected but it does not trigger the flash. To eliminate the cord as a problem, I reconnected to my old XT and gave it a try. There were no problems. Still worked just fine.

Can anyone think of any reason why this would work on an XT but not a 50D? The flash work fine when mounted to the 50D. Just not when connected to the cord. I even called Canon and they were stumped. Do you think I should buy a new OC-E3 cord and try to see if it works? If it doesn't, can I conclude it may be an issue with the camera itself?

Thanks

[OsmosisStudios]

The 50D is smart enough to know when you've been tampering with stuff, maybe? That, or the trigger voltage changed slightly and it isnt quite enough to trigger the flash through your McGyver-ed cord.

[i speak in math]

Make sure you are using the same settings (shutter speed under 1/250th, try 1/100 to be safe). And try attaching the flash onto the hotshoe and firing once so that you know the cameras flash stuff isn't busted

[pinkchimney]

Originally Posted by i speak in math

Make sure you are using the same settings (shutter speed under 1/250th, try 1/100 to be safe). And try attaching the flash onto the hotshoe and firing once so that you know the cameras flash stuff isn't busted

I'll be sure to pay close attention to the settings. I have attached the flash directly to the hotshoe and fired. Flash is good to go.

I will post the results of the testing.

Thanks!

[pinkchimney]

ok. So I tested again paying closer attention to the shutter speed and still no luck. I tried to duplicate, as closely as possible, the settings on both the XT and the 50D and I could not get the 50D to work, This is somewhat discouraging. I hope something isn't wrong with the trigger voltage. I think I may have to either order a new OC-E3 to eliminate that possibility and isolate the modified wire as the reason or I'll just have to walk over to B & H and see if they will test the camera since I bought it there.

I just can't think of anything else.

[i speak in math]

Originally Posted by pinkchimney

or I'll just have to walk over to B & H

If its that close, I'd say go that route. Their service is top notch. If you have any problems with a purchase there, I'm sure they would be happy to look at it.

[pinkchimney]

Ahhhh. I just looked and B and H is closed until April 6th for the Passover holiday. Ha. Maybe Adorama will help out if I go over there.

Thanks for the input. I will post the results after I bring the camera in.

[inkista]

Adorama's closed for Passover, too. Both stores are owned by folks who are Orthodox. Hence the Saturday closures, etc.

[pinkchimney]

Originally Posted by inkista

Adorama's closed for Passover, too. Both stores are owned by folks who are Orthodox. Hence the Saturday closures, etc.

Doh. I found this out the hard way. I guess I am waiting until April 6th.

One thing I did find out over the past fews days was that my 50D does work with Cactus Triggers. I was able to borrow a set from my friend to test and the flash fired everytime. So I know the hotshoe is working for everything except that wire.

[inkista]

Weird, though, that the cord doesn't work. It's not like the hotshoe has additional contacts or anything. But I've got an ST-E2 (which works exactly the same on the 50D as it did on my XT), so I never used a cord, and I can't help you out with any theories. I agree, it should work just the same as it did on the XT, unless there's something weird about the fit of the hotshoes they did to help out with the EXII's weather-sealing or locking bits.

Only thing I can think of is to check the fit of the cord on the hotshoe, and see if it looks like some of the contacts/pins aren't hitting.