A7 + V6iis will not fire strobe in HSS, Canon Flash ok

erik604

Can't get the Sony A7 to fire the strobe via sync cord in HSS, while can fire a Canon flash in HSS

V6iis on Sony A7
#1 V6ii on Canon flash
#2 V6ii on sync cord to strobe
#3 V6ii as Tx on Canon 5D3

What works:
Canon 5D3 with TX #3 will trigger either strobe of flash just fine in HSS. So all connections works.

A7 can trigger #1 RX Canon flash in HSS, A7 menu flash setting set to wireless or fill

A7 can trigger the strobe in HSS if a Canon flash is connected, while the sync cord is connected to the strobe. So one V6ii is connected to both flash and strobe.

A7 will trigger the strobe if below 1/250 sync speed

V6ii on firmware 1.1.011
V6iis on firmware Son.1.001

Suggestions as to how to get the strobe firing in HSS?

lansa301

@erik604

You need to use the Cactus V6IIS (with the MI hot shoe) on the Sony camera.

The sync port is only sending the "trigger" signal, so you are not going to get HSS or any other feature.

Same to the V6II connected to the Canon flash. If you are using the sync cord, the unit is working like a simple trigger, without any advanced feature. Attach the flash to the V6II hot shoe.

 

Try attaching the V6IIS to the A7's hot shoe and the V6II to your Canon flash without any sync cable.

The only reason that could not work is that your Canon flash is an old model and uses the "analog TTL" system. The V6II will work with any flash that uses the "Digital TTL" system.

The "Wireless" flash mode is designed to work with the SONY IR protocol. "Fill" is your best bet. You can use "Slow" and "Rear" when you need it.

Antonio

@lansa301, I think @erik604 already got a "V6iis" on the Sony A7. Can you confirm?

And what "strobe" are are you using?  Please state the make and model.

Thanks!

erik604

Hi @lansa301 and @antonio

Yes, Sony A7 is mounted with V6iis
I am able to use HSS when the V6ii is connected to any Canon flashes, 580exii or 430exii

The same V6ii connected to the strobe Flashpoint RL600 via sync cord, will not fire.

But if the same V6ii is connected to a Canon flash, and sync cord to strobe, flash and strobe will fire in HSS

As I also have other cameras, V6ii will fire the strobe in HSS with Canon 5D3 and Pentax 645z. So the V6ii works well with the strobe. Just not when the V6iis is being used as TX.

To sum it up, the V6iis will not fire the strobe via sync cord connection in HSS. Will fire flashes just fine if connected via hotshoe. Will fires just fine below sync speed via hotshoe or sync cord.

Thanks,
Erik

lansa301

@erik604

Well, the product specifications state that the Flashpoint studio light needs both the proprietary transmitter and receiver to use HSS with SONY cameras.

Probably the HSS is not available via the sync port.

If the flash duration is long enough you could have some sort of HSS but the studio light must use full power every time.

Antonio

Ah-ha!  

I re-read your first message on August 25:

https://www.cactus-image.com/community/discussion/1694/a7-v6iis-will-not-fire-strobe-in-hss-canon-flash-ok

V6 II should be running on one of the X-TTL firmware version.

Install FUJ.1.002 or SIG.1.001 on the V6 II and try again.

Apologies for not noting this earlier.

erik604

@antonio

By updating to the x-ttl firmware, will it affect the Canon or Pentax cameras?

Having it work with Canon consistently is very critical. Sony and Pentax are use occasionally used as second cameras.

@lansa301

The Flashpoint RL600 works in HSS with Canon and Pentax under the same setup, with the V6ii. Works with Sony if a Canon flash is mount on the RX hotshoe while sync cord is connected to Flashpoint.

Very likely it is trigger related. I am hoping it is a setting or firmware update fix.

Antonio

Yes, it will.

Since we have not released X-TTL firmware versions for Canon nor Pentax, when you use the same V6 II transceiver - from being used as an RX being triggered from a Sony camera with V6 IIs, to a TX unit mounted on a Canon or Pentax camera, you must install the Multi-brand HSS firmware first.

Thank you.

erik604

@antonio

Thanks for prompt reply. So if I get this right, Sony cannot trigger the strobe using sync cable until V6ii has the newer x-TTL firmware?

Did the Sony V6iis ever worked with the V6ii in HSS via sync cable?
Possibly before x-TTL was launched? Maybe I can downgrade the V6iis firmware to match the V6ii?

Thanks,
Erik

Antonio

Hi Erik,

No, that's not what I referred to at all. 

A V6 IIs mounted on a Sony A7 (for example) can trigger V6 II in HSS via sync cable - as long as the strobe supports HSS.

We have a Jinbei unit, which should be exactly the same as the Flashpoint version. We are charging the battery right now so we can test it for you later.  We don't remember if we ever triggered it with a Sony camera but at least it worked when it's triggered by another V6 II.   

The strobe's HSS function can be switched on manually. When that's done, it worked without a problem, when we used a Fujifilm long ago, as seen here:

You can move up or down firmware versions as you wish. It's only that you can use versions from too long ago. So if you wish, you may certainly go back down to 1.1.003. 

Antonio

I did a quick test on both X-TTL SON.1.001 and Multi-brand HSS 1.1.003 and indeed flash does not trigger when shutter speed is above x-sync. 

R&D is looking into this matter right now and we shall have a fix early next week. 

We apologize for any convenience this may have caused. Your understanding during this time is very much appreciated.

Thank you.

erik604

Thanks, looking forward to the firmware update fix

erik604

Hi @antonio

Any updates when the next firmware update will be available?

Thanks,

Erik

Antonio

Hi @antonio

Any updates when the next firmware update will be available?

Thanks,

Erik

Hi Erik, I am checking with R&D on the estimated released date of the next firmware version.

Thanks for your patience during this time!

Antonio

Thanks @erik604 for the nudge, R&D team released the new firmware on the same day after doing final checks on SON.1.002.

Cheers!

lansa301

@Antonio

Thank you.

lansa301

Indeed the issue was fixed.

Thanks.

Antonio

Thanks for confirming the fix @lansa301

Please do not hesitate to report any new problems you may encounter in the future.

Cheers!

erik604

@antonio thanks for listening and help resolving the bugs. Loving the V6ii more and more.

Antonio

@antonio thanks for listening and help resolving the bugs. Loving the V6ii more and more.

Thank you for the kind words!!

Hugs from Hong Kong :-)

erik604

@antonio

Just updated the  V6iis to the latest firmware. Unfortunately still unable to use HSS via sync cord

Would like to ask the settings that you guys were using?

A7 Camera shows the "flash HSS" icon when shutter over 1/250 sync speed. A7 can fire the strobe via sync cord below or at 1/250

TX V6iis Settings:

Manual mode

RX V6ii w/ Strobe settings:

Tried manual and canon

Strobe in HSS

Alternate camera and flash to rule out connection or trigger problems

5D3 w/ V6ii can fire the strobe in HSS

530exii w/ V6ii in canon, V6iis can fire this just fine in HSS

Looking forward to your update. 

Erik

Antonio

Sorry what "strobe" are you using again?

For V6 II RX, it should have a FUJ or SIG X-TTL firmware installed, and use MANUAL as the flash profile. Using a sync cord means it's an on/off switch anyway so choosing Canon is not good.

erik604

Oh, if that is the case, will wait for the Canon and Pentax TTL V6ii firmware. Else will disable the V6ii for the other systems.

Thanks @antonio

erik604

Curious, is Cactus R&D able to apply the bug fix to the Sony non-TTL firmware working with sync cord?

One of the main V6ii advantage is cross platform usage. Until TTL is available for all systems, it's very limited to one system.

Antonio

Pre-X-TTL firmware will not longer be supported.  Use the latest X-TTL firmware. You can still use it cross-system / cross-brand. 

For example, using a Sony camera, mount the V6 IIs with SON.1.002, you can trigger other V6 II running on FUJ.x.xxx / SIG.x.xxx or very soon PEN.x.xxx (for Pentax, available late-October), as well as RF60 and RF60X. 

If however you are running Multi-brand HSS firmware on your V6 II, then you must first install an X-TTL firmware before operating the device with your Sony setup.

Thank you.

erik604

@antonio

Just to clarify, by updating to the new X-TTL firmware, will resolve the Sony trigger sync cord issue.

But will break current functionality with Canon & Nikon systems that do not have x-TTL firmware yet. So V6ii will no longer work with Canon or Nikon, nor Pentax until the soon PEN.x.xxx

Thanks

Antonio

This is what you need to do for below scenarios:

Scenario 1: Sony camera

V6 IIs unit in TX mode, mounted on Sony camera.

Firmware:  install SON.x.xxx.

V6 II unit(s) in RX mode, compatible TTL flash mounted on top.

Firmware: install any* X-TTL firmware, e.g. FUJ.x.xxx

* All X-TTL firmware supports all compatible flash systems in RX mode: Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax (must be triggered by a Pentax camera), and Sigma.

Scenario 2: Pentax camera

V6 II unit in TX mode, mounted on Pentax camera.

Firmware:  install 1.1.012.

V6 II unit(s) in RX mode, compatible TTL flash mounted on top.

Firmware: install 1.1.012

It's a matter of days before we finalize X-TTL firmware for Pentax (PEN.x.xxx) before public release. You will then be able to leave out the RX units and not have to swap firmware versions between X-TTL and Multi-brand HSS (v1.1.012). 

That means all your V6 II units can have the PEN.x.xxx firmware, and your V6 IIs have SON.x.xxx and you don't have to change any firmware versions. 

Do keep in mind that Pentax TTL system flash can only be triggered by the Pentax camera, and same for Sony TTL system flashes.   If you are using neither of these system flashes then you won't have to worry about this limitation. 

erik604

Hi Antonio,

I ask about the new Multi Brand HSS firmware in the other discussion, just updating here so you can track what i am talking about.

Erik