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Strange issue with CST, CSR and my lights
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Author:  swampy [ Mon Mar 08, 2010 8:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Strange issue with CST, CSR and my lights
I just bought my CST, CSR and connected it to my Interfit light and got a single flash and then nothing else.
Here is what I found out:
I can take one shot and the remote flash works fine, but then it won't pop the flash a second time unless I turn the light off and then back on, and then the same thing-one flash and then a power cycle of the light. However, if I press the test button on the light itself it works as expected, a flash and recycle and then I press it again and it flashes. (update, if I press the test button on the light, the CST/CSR will work once and then I must power cycle light or press light's test button before the CST/CSR will work again)

I bought two CSRs and they both exhibit the same behavior. I tried three different frequencies with the same results. As long as I power cycle the light (or press the light's test button to fire the light), the remote will fire the light once and then not again until I power cycle the light or press the light's test button and fire the light.
Anyone seen this before?

Camera is a Nikon D90, the lights are Interfit EX150
Author:  asyork [ Tue Mar 09, 2010 1:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Strange issue with CST, CSR and my lights
I have never used Interfit, nor do I have access to any of them, but I can try and help with some basic troubleshooting.

Try using the test button on the CSR and then on the CST. Do either of those work correctly?

When you use the test button on the light, do you still have the CSR plugged in on the same line as the light?

Will the light fire properly from a synch cable? There should have been a number of cables included with your CSR and your lights, I don't use Nikon, but one of them should be able to connect to the camera on one end and your light on the other. Try using that without the CSR or CST connected.

I don't have my CST or or CSRBs with me right now, but I believe you can press the button on the CST, and the lights on the CSR(B) will blink to let you know it worked. Test that, and then put the CST on your camera, and see if the lights still blink correctly when you shoot.

As a worst case scenario, you can try plugging in your lights without the CSR in line.

I've got a CST and 3 CSRBs that have never had a problem, so I'm guessing it's your lights or camera (less likely) since both CSRs cause the same thing.
Author:  swampy [ Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Strange issue with CST, CSR and my lights
Try using the test button on the CSR and then on the CST. Do either of those work correctly?
The test button on the CST and the CSR both work once and then will not work again until the light is power cycled, OR
I press the test button on the light itself and then the CST/CSR will work one time again.

When you use the test button on the light, do you still have the CSR plugged in on the same line as the light?
Yes, the AC power is connected through the CSR and the sync cord is plugged in to the light.

Will the light fire properly from a synch cable? There should have been a number of cables included with your CSR and your lights, I don't use Nikon, but one of them should be able to connect to the camera on one end and your light on the other. Try using that without the CSR or CST connected.
The D90 does not have a port for a sync cord. But the Interfitlights work fine when triggered by the builtin camera's flash.


I don't have my CST or or CSRBs with me right now, but I believe you can press the button on the CST, and the lights on the CSR(B) will blink to let you know it worked. Test that, and then put the CST on your camera, and see if the lights still blink correctly when you shoot.
I can check this....

As a worst case scenario, you can try plugging in your lights without the CSR in line.
I will try it when I get back home. I will plug the light in directly to AC power and plug
the CSR in to AC power separately to see if this changesthings.

I've got a CST and 3 CSRBs that have never had a problem, so I'm guessing it's your lights or camera (less likely) since both CSRs cause the same thing.
I was using just one of the lights, I will see if it duplicates with the other light too.
Author:  asyork [ Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Strange issue with CST, CSR and my lights
If you have another camera that you can use to test a synch cord on, that can narrow it down, too. If the lights don't fire properly from a synch cord, then they can likely be replaced as defective. It might be harder to get them replaced if you have to tell them you are using another company's radio trigger to fire them.
Author:  Technical Support [ Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Strange issue with CST, CSR and my lights
Very good trouble shooting, however, it is a compatability issue between the CSR and the Interfit lights. Sometimes the combination works, sometimes it does not. The characteristics of the one time flash indicate a "latching up" scenario. This is not a fault really of the light or reciever, just an incompatability.

Due to inherent design changes between the + and non + models, we believe the CSR+ and CSRB+ models should work for triggering purposes on Interfit lights.

You can contact customer service to see if they can trade the units for you.
Author:  swampy [ Tue Mar 09, 2010 12:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Strange issue with CST, CSR and my lights
OK Thanks.

I just spoke to Customer Service and I will be replacing them and going with the CSRB+ units.
Author:  Technical Support [ Tue Mar 09, 2010 12:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Strange issue with CST, CSR and my lights
Those are probably the best choice.
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