DUAL STROBES
WITH NON-IKELITE HOUSINGS
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DUAL STROBES WITH NON-IKELITE HOUSINGS |
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Ikelite Substrobes meet compatibility requirements for all Nikon cameras. Nikon cameras should not receive strobe ready-lite information from two strobes. This is why dual cords and "T" connectors are always marked primary and secondary. Only the primary strobe passes ready-lite information to the camera; the secondary side will contain only three conductors. If you turn "off" one of the strobes when two are connected, it must be the strobe that is connected to the "non-ready-light" secondary connector identified by the red band. Logic would indicate red for the primary side, but Ikelite has it backwards, putting the red band on the secondary side. This should help you remember. The new digital SLR Nikon and Canon cameras may require a special sync cord to prevent camera lock-up for either one or two SubStrobes. This cord allows the SubStrobes to operate in manual mode and also provide fractional powers. Conversion circuitry to provide TTL operation is not available. Older Ikelite SubStrobes require a $50 modification to operate properly with the newest Nikon F5, F100 and Coolpix cameras. Our newest DS SubStrobe models feature this special electronic circuitry, as do all SubStrobe models produced after June 1, 2001. The modification allows the strobes to still operate with any Nikon and Nikonos system, but will prevent their use with some other cameras like Sea & Sea, Minolta and Pentax. Some housings that have two Nikonos style bulkheads are not always wired correctly to utilize dual strobes with one strobe attached to each bulkhead. Dual strobes (one connected to each bulkhead) may not operate correctly if both bulkheads connect all five conductors to the camera. Five conductors from each bulkhead would allow either strobe to operate TTL, but not both simultaneously. One should have five conductors and the other connect only three conductors for dual strobe operation. |
Dual strobes (by any manufacturer) with housings that connect all five conductors from both Nikonos style bulkheads to the camera must use a "T" connector or a dual cord attached to just one of the bulkheads. Turn off the "secondary" strobe to maintain ready-lite information if both are attached and only one is to be used. We have seen Aquatica, Seacam, Nexus and Subal housings with two Nikonos style bulkheads wired with all five conductors connected to the camera, requiring a "T" connector or a dual cord attached to just one bulkhead. The manufacturer should be able to tell you if their wiring is compatible with accepted protocol. Early Nexus housings had one NON-TTL bulkhead on left side and one TTL bulkhead on the right side. Both bulkheads have been TTL on housings since about one year ago. Dual SubStrobes (one attached to each bulkhead) are fine, but may not operate correctly if only one of them is turned on. Two SubStrobes with our "T" connector attached to one TTL bulkhead will operate fine with one turned off. The camera connector inside of some housings can be a problem. Some housings utilize very delicate wire between the camera and the housing; or the shoe that attaches to the camera may not provide good contact. This wiring should be checked carefully if the strobes fail to fire. Some European housing manufacturers are installing a "modified" Nikonos socket on their housings. This version replaces the two spring loaded contact pins with rigid non-movable pins which can destroy a legitimate plug built to Nikonos specifications like ours or Nikonos. See: Sync cord wiring and testing |
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