Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hi,

Is there any combinations of cables/adapters that will allow me to connect an underwater housing (PT-EP03) to an above water AB flash unit? The cable would need to be a good 20+ ft. The PT-EP03 has an optical fiber port.

(The alternative would be to trigger the AB via on camera flash, but this option has its own disadvantages)

Will welcome any help!
Thx

Looking at the OEM options available, I am not seeing anything "off the shelf" that would trigger a Bee. I think some form of optical triggering will be required, though you may not need to optically trigger the Bee directly. In fact, the fibre optics are optical triggers, and do not appear to have any electrical connections. What are your challenges/concerns for optically triggering the Bees's?

Reliability would be the primary concern with optical trigger. Distance / ambient light / angles are all variables (although distance would apply with cords as well).

Is there an affordable UW strobe you'd recommend as an optical trigger?

I have no clue on what UW strobes are available. However, if distance and line of sight are an issue, you can relay the signal. By that, I mean you can use a radio transmitter with an optical slave eye connected to send radio signals to the remotes on the lights. This optically slaved transmitter can be encased in a water tight container, and allowed to float on the surface of the water (it cannot be submerged, however).

Alternatively, you may be able to connect a slave eye to a sync cord, and water proof the end of the assembly (dip in clear resin?) and run the other end up to a transmitter or directly to the lights. I am not familiar with the case or camera you are using, but the pop up may work if there is room, and if you can set the pop up to manual flash.

Do you have a link to a transmitter with an optical slave eye?

Thx for the help!

Not one built in, however CyberSyncs or whatever you may already own would probably work with one of these add on optical sensors:
http://flashzebra.com/opticalslaves/index.shtml