communication issues with V5 and Canon 6D?

jay_k

I'm using a Canon 6D and trying to fire a strobe. Before I get into the discussion I want to note that I was using the V4 without any problems but it got damaged and can no longer use it.

Here's my problem. I attached the TX to my 6D using channel 1. RX was attached to my strobe using various blue channels and I will get the green LED on both so I know they're communicating. When hitting the TX button while the V5 is on the hot shoe, the strobe will fire and I am getting the correct green lights on both. However, when hitting the shutter button on the camera, both green lights appear but the strobe will not fire. When I remove the TX from the camera, the strobe will fire also. I did everything possible to get this to work....new batteries were used, TX/RX channels were changed, hot shoe was cleaned, TX/RX were switched but nothing will get the camera to fire the strobe. I've attached a flash to the RX and it will fire no problem too. Just wondering why I would have no problems with the V4 but now the V5 won't fire.

Any help is appreciated.
Jay

raychan

One possible reason is the shutter speed is over x-sync speed, say 1/180s or 1/200s for most camera. The V5 works in x-sync, but it doesn't work in HSS. If the shutter speed above the x-sync, the V5 will not send triggering signal when pressing the camera shutter button.

I hope that helps.

jay_k

My shutter speed was set at 1/40. I also tried various shutter speeds and still had no luck. Also tried different modes...TV/AV/M and nothing as well.

raychan

When the camera live view is in use, there will be no triggering signal through the center hot shoe. Hence, the V5 cannot work. Please try using optical viewfinder and try again.

jay_k

I don't use live view when I take photos.

raychan

V4 and V5 are using the center hot sho connection pin for flash trigger. The operation is the same.

Can you send me the picture of your setup? That may help to find out the problem.

Another possibility is the V5 in your hand is defective. Did it work before and suddenly stopped working?

jay_k

Setup is as follows: V5 attached to 6D hot shoe, set to TX, set on channel 1. Strobe attached to V5 via the supplied 3.5mm/3.5mm cord, set to RX, set on various blue channels. I have also switched units from camera to strobe and still the same results. I bought this unit new from Amazon.

raychan

I guess the V5 RX's 3.5mm sync terminal is malfunction. You can ship it back to our office for service.

Class A

@raychan If the 3.5mm port had an issue, the strobe wouldn't fire when Jay uses the test button on the V5 Tx.

@jay_k Could you try another camera for testing purposes? Or another strobe?

I don't understand why the strobe isn't firing even though the LED of the V5 Rx lights up. Could this be due to a trigger signal that is too short to be recognised by the strobe?

raychan

@Class A You got the point. It shouldn't be the 3.5mm issue.

What I guess it is the 6D cannot trigger the on top V5 TX. Maybe it's due to bad contact. Perhaps a clean up of the hot shoe may help.

jay_k

I tried everything possible and it still doesn't work. Returning the unit from where I purchased it and buying something else.

raychan

@jay_k Thank you for the update.