HSS with Bowens monolights

foshpumpa

Hi, is the Cactus V6 II capable of high-speed sync (HSS) with the Bowens line of monolights, e.g. the Gemini 1000 pro?

Antonio

Does your Bowens Germini 1000 Pro has a HSS function built-in? If there is then very likely it can be triggered by the V6 II and sync at above camera's x-sync speed.

If it does not, theny ou will have to check whether its flash duration is 1/100s or longer at t0.1.

Thanks!

foshpumpa

Thanks Antonio, I don't believe it has built-in HSS. I've checked on their website and the flash duration at t0.5 is 1/2100. Based on that, can I assume that at t0.1 it is around 1/700, and is that good or bad?

Many thanks.

Antonio

... the flash duration at t0.5 is 1/2100. Based on that, can I assume that at t0.1 it is around 1/700, and is that good or bad?

Hmm I would be a bit iffy to assume in such cases.
You better check with Bowens directly.

But being Bowens, I don't think the flash duration would be that long...

foshpumpa

I just got an email from Bowens stating that their upcoming trigger, the so-called "XMSR" would support HyperSync (not HSS) with their Gemini series of monolights.

As usual, given that it's an OEM solution to an OEM problem, the price is astronomical, 300$+.

So now that I'm sure that HyperSync is possible I'd just like to get it to work with my existing Cactus units

Is there a way to experiment with this more than just by changing the PowerSync adjustment level?

I've tried that, but couldn't get it right. I've even tried a combination of PowerSync level adjustment + delay of 1,2,3 ms.

However, I also applied what's sometimes known as the "HSS hack": I had one of my Cactus V6 II transceivers on the camera's hotshoe with the other connected to a regular flash (nikon sb800 in my case). I then ran a sync cable between the flash and the studio strobe, and that did the trick.

It's not 100% though, as not the entire frame was evenly lit. I'd say it's about 90% there.

With all that said, I think there should be a simpler way to achieve this with Cactus.

Any insight would be appreciated, and thanks for the great support thus far.

Antonio

Hi @foshpumpa,
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...However, I also applied what's sometimes known as the "HSS hack": I had one of my Cactus V6 II transceivers on the camera's hotshoe with the other connected to a regular flash (nikon sb800 in my case). I then ran a sync cable between the flash and the studio strobe, and that did the trick.

Interesting setup... could you take a quick snap of your setup?

But in terms of setting on the V6 II, the Power Sync Adjustment is the only tool to adjust the timing when you get banding (shadow line) on the image.
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... It's not 100% though, as not the entire frame was evenly lit. I'd say it's about 90% there.

That's normal as this is behavior / effect from Power Sync - due to the nature (shape) of the flash pulse.

At the begining you will get a big burst of power and it will then slowly falls off. So every so little you will see a slight unevenness in the image in terms of how the image is lit.
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Thanks and I look forward to seeing your setup.