Where can I buy the MicroSync™?
You can purchase the MicroSync™ from these authorized MicroSync™ dealers.
Can I buy extra MicroSync™ receivers?
Yes, you can purchase extra MicroSync™ receivers from these authorized MicroSync™ dealers.
Do you offer sync cords and camera firing cords?
Yes, for sync cords and adaptors, click here. For camera firing cords, click here.
Where can I buy sync cords and camera firing cords?
MicroSync™ sync cords, adaptors and camera firing cords can be purchased from authorized MicroSync™ dealers. If you require a sync cord, adaptor or camera firing cord that we do not supply, we suggest that you contact Paramount Cords at:
Paramount Cords
720 E 239th Street
Bronx, NY 10466-1204 USA
Telephone: 718-325-9100
Fax: 718-325-9813
Web: http://www.paramountcords.com
E-mail: info@paramountcords.com
How do I fire a strobe?
To fire strobes using the MicroSync™, you need a MicroSync™ transmitter and a MicroSync™ receiver. Insert the transmitter into the hot shoe of your camera (if your camera doesn't have a hot shoe, click on Accessory Cables to learn how to fire without a hot shoe). Open the receiver battery compartment by pulling down on the slotted side of the receiver. Install 2 "AA" batteries (observe the polarity of the batteries as indicated). Plug the receiver into the sync socket of your power pack or mono light. Most modern strobes use a mono plug or household plug input. If your strobe has neither type, you can connect the MicroSync™ receiver to your pack or light with an Accessory Cable.
How do I change channels?
Plug the MicroSync™ receiver into the sync socket of the power pack or mono light with the strobe turned on. Stand within three feet of the receiver. Firmly insert the end of a paper clip into the channel select opening to set the transmitter to the next channel. This must be done within 10 seconds of plugging in the receiver. The transmitter's LED will flash to confirm your channel selection. For example, when the transmitter is set to channel 3, the LED will blink 3 times to confirm this channel selection. The transmitter will automatically synchronize the receiver to the channel you select. The receiver's LED will simultaneously flash to confirm your channel selection. Please note that after 10 seconds the receiver will lock itself to the last selected channel. This feature ensures that another MicroSync™ user cannot inadvertently change the channel of your MicroSync™ receiver.
How do I remotely fire an SLR camera?
With the addition of an accessory cable (which is not included with the MicroSync™), the MicroSync™ transmitter and receiver can be used to remotely fire most SLR cameras.
Your SLR camera must have an electronic shutter release input (which most modern, professional cameras have). The SLR camera that you have determines which cable that you need to connect the MicroSync™ receiver to your camera's electronic shutter release input.
Currently, we have camera firing cords available for many Canon and Nikon digital and film SLRs. Click here to see the available MicroSync™ camera firing cords. For additional instructions on how to use the MicroSync™ to fire an SLR, click here.
When should I replace the batteries?
There are two types of batteries used in the MicroSync™. The receiver uses two "AA" batteries. The transmitter uses a coin battery, CR2032. Replace the batteries of the transmitter or the receiver when the LED blinks every 5 seconds. Be sure to carefully observe the battery polarity when installing new batteries.
How do I replace the batteries in the receiver?
Open the receiver battery compartment by pulling down on the slotted side of the receiver. Install 2 "AA" batteries (observe the polarity of the batteries as indicated).
How do I replace the battery in the transmitter?
Unscrew the two screws on the faceplate of the transmitter. Once the small screws are removed, lift this faceplate open. The battery, CR2032, can then be removed and replaced.
How do I fire both an on-camera flash and a remote light simultaneously?
You will need a MicroSync™ PC Cord (VMC112), specifically a PC male to sub-mini phone (2.5mm) cord. The PC male end of the cord plugs into the PC terminal of most digital and film SLR cameras. The sub-mini phone end plugs into the input of the MicroSync™ transmitter.
How do I fire a typical on-camera flash (such as Canon's 550EX and 580EX) as a remote light?
You will need a female hot shoe to sub-mini phone accessory cord. The female hot shoe end is where the flash is placed. The sub-mini phone end plugs into the output of the MicroSync™ receiver. This accessory cord is available from:
Paramount Cords
720 E 239th Street
Bronx, NY 10466-1204 USA
718-325-9100 (phone)
718-325-9813 (fax)
Email: info@paramountcords.com
Web: http://www.paramountcords.com/
Paramount Cords part number -- MS-MHSF1 Hot Shoe Female to (2.5MM) MicroSync (1 Foot).
How do I fire an on-camera flash (such as Nikon's SB-28 or SB-800) as a remote light?
There are two ways to do this. If your flash is equipped with a PC terminal, you may use a MicroSync™ PC Cord (VMC112), specifically a PC male to sub-mini phone (2.5mm) cord. The PC male end of the cord plugs into the PC terminal of the flash. The sub-mini phone end plugs into the output of the MicroSync™ receiver.
The second method requires a female hot shoe to sub-mini phone cord. The female hot shoe end is where the flash is placed. The sub-mini phone end plugs into the output of the MicroSync™ receiver. This accessory cord is available from:
Paramount Cords
720 E 239th Street
Bronx, NY 10466-1204 USA
718-325-9100 (phone)
718-325-9813 (fax)
Email: info@paramountcords.com
Web: http://www.paramountcords.com/
How do I use the MicroSync™ with packs or monolights that require a mini plug sync input?
You will need a MicroSync™ Sync Cord Adaptor (VMC113). Plug the sub-mini phone end of this adaptor into the MircoSync™ receiver. Plug your existing sync cord into your lights and plug the other end into this adaptor.
How do I use the MicroSync™ with packs or monolights with a sync input that is neither a ¼" mono plug nor household plug?
You will need a MicroSync™ Sync Cord Adaptor (VMC113). Plug the sub-mini phone end of this adaptor into the MircoSync™ receiver. Plug your existing sync cord into your lights and plug the other end into this adaptor.
How do I use the MicroSync™ transmitter to remotely fire strobes from a light meter?
You can fire strobes from a light meter if your light meter is equipped with a PC terminal. Additionally, you will need a MicroSync™ PC Cord (VMC112), specifically a PC male to sub-mini phone (2.5mm) cord. The PC male end of the cord plugs into the PC terminal of the light meter. The sub-mini phone end plugs into the output of the MicroSync™ transmitter.
How do I convert a MicroSync™ receiver with a household plug to a mono plug?
To accomplish this, you will need an adaptor that converts the household plug to a mono, available from Wein and their retailers. It is known as the "H"-Prong to Monoplug Adapter.
How do I convert a Pocket Wizard cord (3.5mm mono plug) to a MicroSync™ cord (2.5mm mono plug)?
To accomplish this, you will need a MicroSync™ Sync Cord Reducer (VMC114) that converts a 3.5mm mono plug to a 2.5mm mono plug. Plug your Pocket Wizard or other 3.5mm sync cord into the Sync Cord Reducer, then plug the Sync Cord Reducer into the MicroSync™ transmitter or receiver, depending on your application.
My strobes aren't firing
The most common reasons for strobes not to fire are unsynchronized channels or dead batteries. Test the strobe independently (using either the strobe's test fire button or with a sync cord) to confirm the strobe is firing. If the strobe works, but the MicroSync™ does not, turn the strobe off and on again with the receiver connected. The receiver should blink to confirm startup. If not, replace the batteries, observing the polarity. Within 10 seconds after plugging the receiver into the sync socket of your power pack or mono light, firmly insert the end of a paper clip into the channel select opening to synchronize the channels (the transmitter must be within three feet of receiver). The transmitter LED should blink to confirm the channel selection. If not, replace the battery, observing the polarity.
I'm within range, but my strobes won't fire
The MicroSync™ has been tested to 100 feet. However, radio reflections and obstructions may reduce the range significantly, so observe the following guidelines to achieve the best range: Position the receiver antenna vertically, and as high as possible. Keep your hands from covering the transmitter antenna. Avoid having metal, concrete, or water obstructions between the transmitter and the receiver. Relocate the receiver to avoid possible local reflections. Moving the transmitter a few feet will often solve the problem.
