Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hello all,

I am looking to sync multiple cameras to fire simultaneously and have questions about the Cybersync system.

Assuming I have one unit per camera, is it possible to fire more that one camera at a time?
If so, is there a maximum number of cameras that can be synced?
is there a list of tested cameras available that work well with these units?
If this is all possible, what models of the cycbersync system do I need?

We have tested most of the DSLR's that were current as of late 2008/2009 with the CSRB's. All cameras tested work. I do not see any reason a DSLR with a remote jack would not work, provided you find the appropriate cable. That being said, you will need to have your camera either in Manual Focus (and prefocused) or to continuous AF. There is no provision to activate AF from the CyberSync system. You will get one shot per press of the CST, there is no provision of "motor drive" in the CS system.

There should not be any limit to the number of recievers activated by the CST (how many TV's can be tuned to a local broadcast?).

We tested with Flash Zebra prerelease cables, Pocket Wizard cables should be useable, though we have had feedback from users that have had issues with PW cables (reverse polarity? stereo input?). Also, we reccomend using the CSRB over the CSRB+. The + models can be less reliable on some models of cameras (paricularly Nikon and Pentax).

Also, it would be adviseable to use the same model (or as close as possible) camera for each. While the CSRB's will get the signal simultaneously, different model cameras can respond differently, and may result in slightly different capture times. (how long does the signal take to process, how ling it takes the mirror to move, etc.).

Additionally, to fire lights in conjunction of the triggering of cameras, you will need a seperate transmitter and reciever set, which needs to be set to a different frequency.

You will need 1 CST as the master trigger, and 1 CSRB for each camera. To fire lights, you will need one transmitter (CST or CC) in the hotshoe of the camera and at least one reciever (CSR,CSRB,CSR+,CSRB+) on at least one light, though one reciever for each light has its advantages.

TS