K-1 Unusable at 1/200 using Studio Strobes???

dcpropilot · 08-06-2016, 07:18 AM

1/200 isn't too usable to me using my Alien Bees B1600. There is some varying banding on the top of the frame, but it appears to go away at shutter speeds faster than 1/200. I'm not sure, I could be doing something wrong or if there's something wrong with my shutter.

Shot in portrait orientation (black banding on the left)

Last edited by dcpropilot; 08-06-2016 at 07:28 AM.

pathdoc · 08-06-2016, 07:35 AM

How are you firing it? Time delay in triggering the flashes may be doing this to you. I heard something on someone's YT channel the other day about this happening with remote radio or optical triggers; at maximum sync speed, tiny fractions of a second make the difference.

Have you an on-camera flash you can mount and fire as a test?

Wheatfield · 08-06-2016, 07:51 AM - **1 Like**

Cheap flash triggers will do that.

beholder3 · 08-06-2016, 07:58 AM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

Cheap flash triggers will do that.

There are good ones that are cheap.

But crappy flash triggers will do that, yes.

**bobbotron** · 08-06-2016, 08:36 AM

Need more detail, how are you triggering it? What hardware?

**jatrax** · 08-06-2016, 09:56 AM

I have been using 1/200 with my Cactus triggers with no issues.

What are you using to trigger?

Not a Number · 08-06-2016, 10:27 AM

Originally posted by beholder3

There are good ones that are cheap.

But crappy flash triggers will do that, yes.

Cheap | Definition of Cheap by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of cheap
3a : of inferior quality or worth : tawdry, sleazy <cheap workmanship>

swanlefitte · 08-06-2016, 11:22 AM

Does the k1 shutter go bottom to top or top to bottom. I use to get banding on the bottom with my k100 at max synch with low batteries. This is at the top so its either a different shutter motion or different problem.

Class A · 08-07-2016, 08:29 AM

Originally posted by swanlefitte

Does the k1 shutter go bottom to top or top to bottom.

According to my observations, it goes from bottom to top, i.e., the reverse direction that previous Pentax DSLR shutters used. The prior "bottom border" now becomes a "top border" and indicates that the light hits the sensor a bit too late. It seems likely that the radio trigger used, isn't quick enough, although 1/200s is not really a challenge.

I don't have that problem with my Cactus V6II and my K-1 even at much higher shutter speeds. In other words, it is not the K-1 that is at fault here.

@dcpropilot: Are you still using Yongnuo triggers? They don't really support Pentax and some of their models require a wake up to work well beyond 1/160s. IIRC, the respective model was quite old though.

siegbert · 08-07-2016, 10:32 AM

Sometimes I got the same problem with my wireless triggers at K3. Then I have to put in new batteries, normally to the receiver only.

dcpropilot · 08-07-2016, 02:25 PM

Originally posted by Class A

According to my observations, it goes from bottom to top, i.e., the reverse direction that previous Pentax DSLR shutters used. The prior "bottom border" now becomes a "top border" and indicates that the light hits the sensor a bit too late. It seems likely that the radio trigger used, isn't quick enough, although 1/200s is not really a challenge.

I don't have that problem with my Cactus V6II and my K-1 even at much higher shutter speeds. In other words, it is not the K-1 that is at fault here.

@dcpropilot: Are you still using Yongnuo triggers? They don't really support Pentax and some of their models require a wake up to work well beyond 1/160s. IRRC, the respective model was quite old though.

I'm using the Yongnuo RF-605 receiver and the YN560-TX transmitter. I need to do some more experimenting.

pathdoc · 08-07-2016, 02:50 PM

Like I said, drop a flash on the hotshoe, take a picture, see what happens. This will diagnose or rule out one major problem immediately.

Class A · 08-07-2016, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by dcpropilot

I'm using the Yongnuo RF-605 receiver and the YN560-TX transmitter. I need to do some more experimenting.

The YN560-TX should be fast enough, but perhaps the mode (RF602 or RF603) is causing problems, or you have one of the units from a batch that Yongnuo announced to be incapable of 1/200s synchronisation:

YN560-TX for Canon serial number range: 19011340-19011927.

YN560-TX for Nikon serial number range: 19511450-19511819.

BTW, in your first post you write the problem disappears at "faster" shutter speeds. You meant "slower" right? The YN560-TX does not support shutter speeds faster than the sync-speed.

dcpropilot · 08-07-2016, 05:52 PM

Originally posted by Class A

The YN560-TX should be fast enough, but perhaps the mode (RF602 or RF603) is causing problems, or you have one of the units from a batch that Yongnuo announced to be incapable of 1/200s synchronisation:

YN560-TX for Canon serial number range: 19011340-19011927.

YN560-TX for Nikon serial number range: 19511450-19511819.

BTW, in your first post you write the problem disappears at "faster" shutter speeds. You meant "slower" right? The YN560-TX does not support shutter speeds faster than the sync-speed.

Yes, slower shutter speeds! Oops. I'll have to check my YN560-TX serial #. I think at some point I'll be upgrading to the Buff cyber sync /cyber commander. Not sure if I can trigger the my Yongnuo flashes (as a kicker/hair light supplemental to the Alien Bees strobes) with the cyber commander though.

**eccs19** · 08-08-2016, 04:51 PM

I've got the Yongnuo 560TX with a set of 560 Mark III, and so far have had no issues with the K-1 and banding.

08-06-2016, 07:18 AM	#1
dcpropilot Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Vermont Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 941	K-1 Unusable at 1/200 using Studio Strobes??? 1/200 isn't too usable to me using my Alien Bees B1600. There is some varying banding on the top of the frame, but it appears to go away at shutter speeds faster than 1/200. I'm not sure, I could be doing something wrong or if there's something wrong with my shutter. Shot in portrait orientation (black banding on the left) Last edited by dcpropilot; 08-06-2016 at 07:28 AM.

08-07-2016, 08:29 AM	#9
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by swanlefitte Does the k1 shutter go bottom to top or top to bottom. According to my observations, it goes from bottom to top, i.e., the reverse direction that previous Pentax DSLR shutters used. The prior "bottom border" now becomes a "top border" and indicates that the light hits the sensor a bit too late. It seems likely that the radio trigger used, isn't quick enough, although 1/200s is not really a challenge. I don't have that problem with my Cactus V6II and my K-1 even at much higher shutter speeds. In other words, it is not the K-1 that is at fault here. @dcpropilot: Are you still using Yongnuo triggers? They don't really support Pentax and some of their models require a wake up to work well beyond 1/160s. IIRC, the respective model was quite old though. Last edited by Class A; 08-07-2016 at 04:46 PM.

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08-06-2016, 07:35 AM	#2
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	How are you firing it? Time delay in triggering the flashes may be doing this to you. I heard something on someone's YT channel the other day about this happening with remote radio or optical triggers; at maximum sync speed, tiny fractions of a second make the difference. Have you an on-camera flash you can mount and fire as a test?

08-06-2016, 07:51 AM - 1 Like	#3
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Cheap flash triggers will do that.

08-06-2016, 07:58 AM	#4
beholder3 Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 3,112	Originally posted by Wheatfield Cheap flash triggers will do that. There are good ones that are cheap. But crappy flash triggers will do that, yes.

08-06-2016, 08:36 AM	#5
bobbotron Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ottawa, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,349	Need more detail, how are you triggering it? What hardware?

08-06-2016, 09:56 AM	#6
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	I have been using 1/200 with my Cactus triggers with no issues. What are you using to trigger?

08-06-2016, 10:27 AM	#7
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by beholder3 There are good ones that are cheap. But crappy flash triggers will do that, yes. Cheap \| Definition of Cheap by Merriam-Webster Full Definition of cheap 3a : of inferior quality or worth : tawdry, sleazy <cheap workmanship>

08-06-2016, 11:22 AM	#8
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	Does the k1 shutter go bottom to top or top to bottom. I use to get banding on the bottom with my k100 at max synch with low batteries. This is at the top so its either a different shutter motion or different problem.

08-07-2016, 10:32 AM	#10
siegbert Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 38	Sometimes I got the same problem with my wireless triggers at K3. Then I have to put in new batteries, normally to the receiver only.

08-07-2016, 02:25 PM	#11
dcpropilot Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Vermont Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 941 Original Poster	Originally posted by Class A According to my observations, it goes from bottom to top, i.e., the reverse direction that previous Pentax DSLR shutters used. The prior "bottom border" now becomes a "top border" and indicates that the light hits the sensor a bit too late. It seems likely that the radio trigger used, isn't quick enough, although 1/200s is not really a challenge. I don't have that problem with my Cactus V6II and my K-1 even at much higher shutter speeds. In other words, it is not the K-1 that is at fault here. @dcpropilot: Are you still using Yongnuo triggers? They don't really support Pentax and some of their models require a wake up to work well beyond 1/160s. IRRC, the respective model was quite old though. I'm using the Yongnuo RF-605 receiver and the YN560-TX transmitter. I need to do some more experimenting.

08-07-2016, 02:50 PM	#12
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Like I said, drop a flash on the hotshoe, take a picture, see what happens. This will diagnose or rule out one major problem immediately.

08-07-2016, 04:43 PM	#13
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by dcpropilot I'm using the Yongnuo RF-605 receiver and the YN560-TX transmitter. I need to do some more experimenting. The YN560-TX should be fast enough, but perhaps the mode (RF602 or RF603) is causing problems, or you have one of the units from a batch that Yongnuo announced to be incapable of 1/200s synchronisation: YN560-TX for Canon serial number range: 19011340-19011927. YN560-TX for Nikon serial number range: 19511450-19511819. BTW, in your first post you write the problem disappears at "faster" shutter speeds. You meant "slower" right? The YN560-TX does not support shutter speeds faster than the sync-speed.

08-07-2016, 05:52 PM	#14
dcpropilot Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Vermont Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 941 Original Poster	Originally posted by Class A The YN560-TX should be fast enough, but perhaps the mode (RF602 or RF603) is causing problems, or you have one of the units from a batch that Yongnuo announced to be incapable of 1/200s synchronisation: YN560-TX for Canon serial number range: 19011340-19011927. YN560-TX for Nikon serial number range: 19511450-19511819. BTW, in your first post you write the problem disappears at "faster" shutter speeds. You meant "slower" right? The YN560-TX does not support shutter speeds faster than the sync-speed. Yes, slower shutter speeds! Oops. I'll have to check my YN560-TX serial #. I think at some point I'll be upgrading to the Buff cyber sync /cyber commander. Not sure if I can trigger the my Yongnuo flashes (as a kicker/hair light supplemental to the Alien Bees strobes) with the cyber commander though.

08-08-2016, 04:51 PM	#15
eccs19 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lisle, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,510	I've got the Yongnuo 560TX with a set of 560 Mark III, and so far have had no issues with the K-1 and banding.