SteveHicks Posted November 14, 2016 Share #1 Posted November 14, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am trying to use my Pocketwiard PlusX triggers with my Leica M 240 in order to do some off camera flash work. One PW on the hot shoe of the camera. Speedite is set to manual mode. The other PW connected directly to the flash via cable. Hitting the test button on the PW on the camera Fires the flash. But releasing the shutter will Not fire the flash. It's as if the hot shoe is not sending a signal to the PW. Any ideas out there? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 14, 2016 Posted November 14, 2016 Hi SteveHicks, Take a look here Can't get M 240 to trigger Pocketwizard PlusX. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
marchyman Posted November 14, 2016 Share #2 Posted November 14, 2016 Flash fully inserted into socket? Flash settings? Speed set to greater than the max sync speed? Just guessing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exodies Posted November 14, 2016 Share #3 Posted November 14, 2016 Nikon or Canon pocketwizard? I believe only the Nikon connector works on Leica. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echo63 Posted November 14, 2016 Share #4 Posted November 14, 2016 Does the speedlite work on camera ? Do you have the PW attached correctly and on the same channel ? Try getting a paperclip and shorting the pin in the centre of the Pw hotshoe to the contact on the side of the Pw hotshoe. Have you tried switching pocketwizard units around ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echo63 Posted November 14, 2016 Share #5 Posted November 14, 2016 Nikon or Canon pocketwizard? I believe only the Nikon connector works on Leica. Plus x is a "dumb trigger" with centre pin only And my Canon TT1 and TT5 work just fine with my M240 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
albireo_double Posted November 14, 2016 Share #6 Posted November 14, 2016 Tried to replicate your problem with my M246, two PW Plus IVs and an SF-64 - there is no problem with this combination; firing fine up to the max sync speed. Try if the hotshoe fires the flash directly, without the PWs. If it does, then I don't see where the problem might be, as it appears that the PW on your camera is firing the flash connected to the off-camera PW, when triggered with the test button. That would also indicate that you have the same channel set on both PWs. The Plus-X is only has a centre pin, so is camera-agnostic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 14, 2016 Share #7 Posted November 14, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) I had a similar problem in the past with the Profoto Air transmitter ... early version. Solved it with a Wein Safe-sync in the hotshoe and connected to the transmitter by cable. This was on a Leica S2-P. Should have worked fine as it did on an Oly mirrorless at the same time I was experiencing problems with the S2-P. Bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveHicks Posted November 14, 2016 Author Share #8 Posted November 14, 2016 Thanks all. I appreciate the ideas. I'll give is some more try. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 15, 2016 Share #9 Posted November 15, 2016 Are you trying to fire the flash above the camera's sync speed limit? In the case of M240-series of cameras, the flash sync speed is at 1/180 (the flash symbol on the shutter dial). Anything above that speed the camera doesn't send a signal to the flash to fire. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echo63 Posted November 15, 2016 Share #10 Posted November 15, 2016 Are you trying to fire the flash above the camera's sync speed limit? In the case of M240-series of cameras, the flash sync speed is at 1/180 (the flash symbol on the shutter dial). Anything above that speed the camera doesn't send a signal to the flash to fire. pretty sure it will with a "dumb" trigger in the hotshoe - i have a few frames with black lines across them from having the SS over the sync speed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECohen Posted November 15, 2016 Share #11 Posted November 15, 2016 I use old Nikon Pocket Wizards on the M to trigger studio lights with no trouble . I used to have a set of Pocket Wizard PlusX for easy off camera flash but I found them quirkier and a pain to set up and use (with Nikon or Leica) So I sold them and went back to a more traditional approach to studio lighting. Plus I like the light quality of a bigger flash tube better than pocket strobes I know that's not an answer to OP's question ....sorry to go off topic Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jto555 Posted November 15, 2016 Share #12 Posted November 15, 2016 Hi Steve, this may be of no help. While I have no experence with Pocket Wizard if you are looking for a robust flash trigger system that is cheap: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Phottix-Ares-Flash-Trigger-Camera/dp/B00A4BR7KG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479224745&sr=8-1&keywords=Phottix+Ares The Phottix Ares (about £60/$70) works and has about a 100m range. Also, a work around for you might be a Phottix trigger on camera, and the Pocket Wizard trigger attached to the Phottix Ares reciver to trigger it. This way you still get to control the flash output, and if you go to a local camera shop you could try out the system before you buy it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jto555 Posted November 15, 2016 Share #13 Posted November 15, 2016 Are you trying to fire the flash above the camera's sync speed limit? In the case of M240-series of cameras, the flash sync speed is at 1/180 (the flash symbol on the shutter dial). Anything above that speed the camera doesn't send a signal to the flash to fire. Hi David, it can be done! I have shot with flash at 1/500 with the M240. A manual flash (or a flash gun on manual I think will also work) will still fire. The camera still sends a signal to the center pin at over 1/180 sec, but with a TTL or non manual flash the camera registers that a flash is attached and will not go over sync speed. The down side of this is you get part of the frame will not light by flash, but you take this into account when shooting and compose with your subject in the light area. Great for a group shot on a bright sunny day. Just shoot with loads of sky over the heads. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 15, 2016 Share #14 Posted November 15, 2016 Hi David, it can be done! I have shot with flash at 1/500 with the M240. A manual flash (or a flash gun on manual I think will also work) will still fire. The camera still sends a signal to the center pin at over 1/180 sec, but with a TTL or non manual flash the camera registers that a flash is attached and will not go over sync speed. The down side of this is you get part of the frame will not light by flash, but you take this into account when shooting and compose with your subject in the light area. Great for a group shot on a bright sunny day. Just shoot with loads of sky over the heads. I stand corrected. Thanks for sharing the info, always good to learn new things! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveHicks Posted November 23, 2016 Author Share #15 Posted November 23, 2016 Thanks All. I have had no luck with the pocket wizards, but I have seen a number of references to the phottix Ares trigger. At the price, it seems to be a low risk. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jto555 Posted November 26, 2016 Share #16 Posted November 26, 2016 Hi Steve, here is a post from the Strobist blog (David Hobby) about the Phottix Ares: https://strobist.blogspot.ie/2014/09/choosing-triggers.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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