Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hi,
Today I have noticed that setting the cameras and the Einstein(s) at 1/250there is a dark band on the bottom of the image. I know that such band appears if I use a shutter speed above 1/250. However, this problem did not show up in the past using the same shutter speed setting. The band disappears once I set the speed to 1/125 on the camera and the head. I have tested different cameras and other Einsteins I have and the problem is persistent. Any hint? Am I missing something?
Thanks

What cameras, and do you have a low battery warning on your CC or CST?

All radio triggers will introduce some latency in the triggering sequence. The CyberSync system has a latency of about 1/4000 of a second, and is among, if not the, fastest on the market (this is not including the TTL remotes, as that is not a function of latency).

On some cameras, noteably the Canon 5DII, the listed sync speed is ragged edge of the best case scenario and are notorious for being slower in practical situations (though the faster specs are usually qualified in the manual as "when used with speedlites, studio strobes can be as low as 1/60")

Sync cords do not introduce any latency, and will therefore have the potential for a faster tirgger response.

If your camera can rear curtain sync with non OEM products, make sure it is set to first curtain and try again.

The batteries ore OK. I think the problem is the flash synch that does not go beyond 1/200 (my fault I forgot that the 5D goes only to 1/200. I tested the 7D and there is not band issue (but it supports 1/250). How can I match the 1/200 in the Einsteins? Is it OK to set the speed in the Einteins to 1/250 and the camera 1/200? Or do I have to use it at 1/125 every time?
Thanks for the prompt help.

The shutter speed listed on the Cyber Commander is for metering purposes only. It does not affect the useability of the lights in any way. Under indoor studio situations, the meter can be set to 1/125 or 1/250 and your camera set to 1/200 with adverse effect in metering accuracy or banding, as shutter speed does not affect flash exposure (in these situations).

This is a fairly well known issue w/ the 5D...it's got a big slow mechanical shutter. If you look for in it different forums or watch Zach Arias' first CreativeLive session, you'll find that the "workaround" is to use 1/125 for studio work.
No such problems w/ the D700, interestingly enough so it is possible to build a FF shutter that goes fast enough...