Does work High Speed Sync for V6 and RF60?
Hello Cactus Comunity,
In the V6 Manual is stated the followings:
"The V6 will work as a wireless flash commander while supporting all the automatic features (e.g., automatic flash output via TTL metering,AF assist light, second curtain sync, high speed sync/FP shutter) provided by the TTL flash system."
I cannot setup and use the High Speed Sync functionality with V6 and Nikon SB800 off camera neither with RF60 flash.
So, does Cactus offers HSS with V6 and RF60???
I bought 4xRF60 flashes and other 3xV6 having in mind to use the system outside with HSS functionality but I realized that it doesn't work.
Please respond to my query.
Thank you in advance!
Regards, Vali Goaga Photographer
Comments
With TTL pass-through, the TTL flashes behave as they would when directly connected to the camera hot shoe.
What you quoted only applies to a flash mounted on an on-camera V6 with TTL pass-through enabled.
Via radio communication, no TTL features such as HSS are supported for third-party flashes. If the Nikon SB800 has a way to manually engage HSS then you can use it for HSS applications with the V6 in the same manner as the RF60.
The RF60 supports HSS with the V6 by allowing you to manually engage HSS on the flash itself. Once you do that, there are a number of alternatives:
Note that in this approach the V6 transmitter that is optically triggered is close to the camera. I often just use my left hand to hold the V6's sensor against the on-camera flash.
The transmitter V6 can then trigger RF60s and other V6s across large distances.
Consult the manual for how to set up the V6. You basically have two options:
1. Ignore the preflash, or
2. Sync on the preflash plus setting a delay on the V6 to postpone the firing of the off-camera flashes until the main flash goes off. You'll need this second approach once you get into the really fast speeds.
With this approach, I have been successfully taking images in bright sunlight at 1/2000 or higher.
With cameras that support 1/1000s sync-speed, the V6 supports taking pictures at that shutter speed.
With cameras that only support a sync-speed of 1/180s or 1/250s, one has to use (manual) HSS to go beyond those speeds without getting black bars.
The V6 does not support the CLS system, but it is possible to use the RF60 to achieve HSS. Perhaps my previous post helps already but the RF60 manual goes onto more detail.
Other flashes may work as well but only if you can set them to HSS mode manually, i.e.without requiring communication with the camera.
As you know HSS is a TTL feature, and all Cactus triggers released to date are all manual flash triggers. So, just like a manual flash, it does not support HSS. What's special about the V6 is that it has the ability to control TTL system flashes, multiple system all at once for that matter, but it does not support any TTL features wirelessly via the transceivers.
It is still a manual trigger at its heart - it just happens to be able to control TTL flash and supports TTL pass through. Maybe this gives you the impression it also support TTL's function - HSS.
Certainly we do not expect professional photographers like yourself to fiddle with the many settings to achieve HSS during a location shoot at a wedding / pre-wedding. If you need to shoot at speeds above your camera's x-sync speed (usually 1/250s) such as 1/8000s, you simply need a TTL flash trigger.
Your impression is legit. Cactus does provide very serious products and since the launch of the V6 last year in 2014, it is still the World's First and Only flash trigger that can wirelessly and simultaneously control flash power of multiple TTL system flashes. As a manual trigger, it may be fair to say none can compete.
On that note, we are working on version that will support HSS and the current V6 will be supported by a simple firmware update.
As to when, we're hoping to have it available sometime in 2015.
Thank you for your time and patience and we welcome any suggestions.
Brand Manager
Antonio, these are exciting news.
Are you saying the V6 firmware update will make a V6 compatible with a new version that will support HSS, or are you saying the V6 as it is, will support HSS through a firmware update?
@Class A : a firmware update is required on the current V6.
@goghitza : thanks for the encouragement!
I will keep y'all posted!!
Brand Manager
what will the V6 be able to do after the firmware upgrade?
Will it be able to support HSS on its own or will it be compatible to a future model that supports HSS?
I don't know the details as to what other function it can do after the update, so HSS for now.
Brand Manager
With the current V6, the answer is no.
If you are not already a V6 user, you should wait for the new model:
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/latest/photo-news/sony-users-soon-able-to-shoot-any-brand-of-flash-cactus-v6-mk-ii-72595
Thanks!
Brand Manager
Brian Hursey used to have a detailed description of this setup at http://brianhurseyphotography.com/blog/how-to-cactus-rf60-radio-hss/ but the site does not appear to exist anymore.
If I were you, I'd wait for the V6 Mk II, but if you do have a system-dedicated HSS trigger anyhow, you can perhaps use this workaround until the Mk II becomes available.
After watching all the setup vid's on YouTube and seeing what this transceiver can do, I have to say if you were to combine HSS ability as well as the abilities currently available on the V6 I am confident many people (myself included) would be reaching for their credit cards to purchase this product. The product adds convenience and extra creative ability as it is. The only thing missing for me is HSS please push the development dept. as much as you can for this aspect/ability. I am a Pentax system owner (hopefully soon a K1)
It sure is coming. If you scroll two posts up you will see a link to the Sony version (prototype at the Photography Show) reported by Amateur Photographer Magazine.
There will also be a version for other standard ISO hot shoe cameras including Pentax. We estimate availability in June.
Many are talking about the Pentax K-1 lately. Do you plan on getting it right away? Some say the price would stay for good unlike their previous models. Keep us posted!
Brand Manager
http://www.cactus-image.com/special/Cactus-V6II-HSS/
All the best!
Senior Product Specialist
Cactus®
Harvest One Limited
I am a new in this group. I have Nikon D750 in combination with RF60. For triggering I have Cactus V6 trigger. My problem is setting all together. HSS shorter than 1/200 dont work. For me totally unknown. Is somewhere kid of knowhow to learn about this. Manual did not help me at all.
Marjan .
Senior Product Specialist
Cactus®
Harvest One Limited