Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I'm about to FINALLY buy my Bees and Cybersyncs.. I have a few questions that are driving me nuts, and making my purchase difficult and frustrating.. If you guys can help, it would be GREATLY appreciated.. Thank you so much!

1. Will the cybersync recievers be able to work with all of my flashes? (Besides the 2 B400s that I'll be buying, I also have 2 Nikon SB28s, and one Canon 430 EX II. I mostly use the SB28s for all my OCL, and keep the 430 EX for on camera use.) So, I'm wondering if the Cybersyncs would be able to trigger all of these..?

2. Based on the flashes I just listed above, how many triggers would you recommend I get? I was thinking 2 or 3.. what are your thoughts on this? I'm worried about buying too much and not using them. I want to be able to utilize what I get.. I guess the way to approach would be to consider the setups I have in mind.. High key aside, say I put up a background, and want to take some portraits of my kids.. from everything I've been reading, I'll need at least three lights... Can I ask/beg you to please share some knowledge here? Give some input?

3. Now, I initially was going to get the Cybersync Transmitter, but I was told that would be a bad idea, and it would be best to go with the Cyber commander. What do you guys think? Also, would you guys recommend the AC or battery powered transmitter/receivers? Since I'm not buying a Vagabond mini right now (I figure I can just plug them in, since I'll be using them indoors mostly), I've been thinking that the battery operated versions would be the ones? But I haven't used any of these before, so I don't know if I'm overlooking something or the other..

Again, I apologize for the long list of questions, and do appreciate your help and patience...

Thank you all so much !

Monie.

1. All of the flash units you listed should be compatible with our CyberSync line as long as you have a means of connecting them. Some flash units will have a PC socket, while some will not (the 430EX II). We offer the SpeedLite Foot Adapter to allow sync cord usage here: http://www.paulcbuff.com/slfa.php

2. It really depends on what and where you shoot. One receiver for each light is the most reliable, however, the Bees and probably the Nikons have optical slaves built into them, so it may not be mandatory for studio usage to have one for each light.

3. The CST will be useful, even if you get the Cyber Commander. It will allow firing from the camera, while leaving the CC off camera for metering and adjusting. It will also serve as a back up trigger should something go wrong. As for the Cyber Commander, it is fantastic (IMO) but there is a learning curve, and we are here to help. However, there are no provisions for the CC to adjust the power of the speedlights, though it can fire and meter them. For optimum performance from the CC, you will need a CSR+ or CSRB+ for each light.

My suggestion is start with at least one CST and one CSRB+ and maybe an SLFA if needed. This pair can be used with any light you have, most of the rest of the lights can slave. Also, the pair is future proof in that both can still be used if you upgrade to the Cyber Commander. Though I suggest at least one receiver, more than one is better. I also suggest CSRB+'s (the battery powered versions) as any one will work with any light. If you get a CSR+, then they can not be used with speedlites very effectively.