It looks like my woes with this setup (E-3) are far from over. I have three problems.
1. I set up the rig topside with the two strobes for the first time, and I have a problem having the strobes to fire. I've read about the experiences of some with a hotshoe connection being loose, and I've tried using rubber band to hold it in place.
Here's the thing. As soon as the camera is pushed inside the housing, the strobes refuse to fire. I checked the TTL connector inside and it seemed to be in place because of the rubber band. I remove the housing back again and click the shutter outside the housing, and it fires okay. I put the housing back again in place very slowly -- I try not to push it fully -- and the strobes fire. But once I push it again and lock the housing, the strobes refuse to fire (I have checked the hotshoe connector and it looks fine with the rubber band.
2. Another problem that this housing has is that it is impossible to operate the Function and Focus Point buttons short of using a hammer to force the button inside the housing to respond.
3. I bought another DS-125 late last year to complete my dual strobe setup. The other day, I inspected the strobe, which I have yet to use (and which I had hoped to use for a dive trip 10 days from now) to recharge the battery pack. Before charging, I reattached the battery to the strobe body to check the remaining charge. I then detached it, and I heard a loud crack. Upon checking, I noticed that the black stem connecting the pack to the strobe body is broken.
I have yet to use the strobe and it's already broken? Now, I am not new to strobes, having used a DS-125 since 2004. I certainly did not force the pack out of the body, just did what one normally does to remove the battery pack. I've heard about the "Toggle Pawl Replacement kit" (part #9457.62), which Ikelite reportedly offers to customers who have had this unfortunate problem. Has anybody availed himself of this kit?
Right now, I have an expensive housing that is only good without strobes. And I have expensive dual strobes that appear not to have any use at the moment. Yes, both my strobes have serial numbers that according to the Ikelite Web site comply with their TTL implementation.
I bought the housing in Singapore in August 2008 and the strobe in November 2008 in New York. I live in the Philippines, so it won't be cheap to send the housing and battery pack back to Ikelite for "repair."
I've spent an hour trying to figure out what's wrong with the housing and I'm stumped. I didn't realize this Ikelite rig would give me such terrible headache. Any simple DIY ideas? Thank you.
Regards,
Norman
Mirror with memory
Flickr: landscapist's Photostream
1. I set up the rig topside with the two strobes for the first time, and I have a problem having the strobes to fire. I've read about the experiences of some with a hotshoe connection being loose, and I've tried using rubber band to hold it in place.
Here's the thing. As soon as the camera is pushed inside the housing, the strobes refuse to fire. I checked the TTL connector inside and it seemed to be in place because of the rubber band. I remove the housing back again and click the shutter outside the housing, and it fires okay. I put the housing back again in place very slowly -- I try not to push it fully -- and the strobes fire. But once I push it again and lock the housing, the strobes refuse to fire (I have checked the hotshoe connector and it looks fine with the rubber band.
2. Another problem that this housing has is that it is impossible to operate the Function and Focus Point buttons short of using a hammer to force the button inside the housing to respond.
3. I bought another DS-125 late last year to complete my dual strobe setup. The other day, I inspected the strobe, which I have yet to use (and which I had hoped to use for a dive trip 10 days from now) to recharge the battery pack. Before charging, I reattached the battery to the strobe body to check the remaining charge. I then detached it, and I heard a loud crack. Upon checking, I noticed that the black stem connecting the pack to the strobe body is broken.
I have yet to use the strobe and it's already broken? Now, I am not new to strobes, having used a DS-125 since 2004. I certainly did not force the pack out of the body, just did what one normally does to remove the battery pack. I've heard about the "Toggle Pawl Replacement kit" (part #9457.62), which Ikelite reportedly offers to customers who have had this unfortunate problem. Has anybody availed himself of this kit?
Right now, I have an expensive housing that is only good without strobes. And I have expensive dual strobes that appear not to have any use at the moment. Yes, both my strobes have serial numbers that according to the Ikelite Web site comply with their TTL implementation.
I bought the housing in Singapore in August 2008 and the strobe in November 2008 in New York. I live in the Philippines, so it won't be cheap to send the housing and battery pack back to Ikelite for "repair."
I've spent an hour trying to figure out what's wrong with the housing and I'm stumped. I didn't realize this Ikelite rig would give me such terrible headache. Any simple DIY ideas? Thank you.
Regards,
Norman
Mirror with memory
Flickr: landscapist's Photostream
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