Remote Flash Triggers recommendations

[Krypty]

Do any of you maybe have some recommendations for Remote Flash Triggers and where maybe to procure them online?

I know about Pocket Wizards but they cost a arm and a leg.

Thanks All

 

[bwana]

What are you looking to do with them? I've been making do with the built in speedlite trigger of the 7D but you can just as easily use a second speedlite but the range is obviously limited.

A few guys were using pocket wizards the other day for the finish of the Ironman to great effect and they really piqued my interest in getting something like it.

 

[Krypty]

Yes. that is precisely why I am also interested. I saw some photo's of the Epic Mountain Biking race which was phenomenal.

Here is a link of Race. http://www.sportograf.com/bestof/714/index.html

I know you loose the TTL function on most of the cheaper triggers but I can live with that.
I can get some for around R1000 (Cactus V4, Phottix etc) and also found a contact that is in Randburg for around R500 but I have not yet called him to find out
what type and models he have.

Here is some links of the other Triggers
Cactus V4.
http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=17204

Phottix
http://www.phottix.com/flash-accessories/phottix-aster-wireless-flash-trigger.html
and locally can be procured here
http://www.cameralight.co.za/index....n=com_virtuemart&Itemid=28&vmcchk=1&Itemid=28

I also now you get Alien Bees I think and Radio Poppers.

 

[chau]

I got a set of the Cactus V4 triggers and they work pretty awesomely. The flash can be placed out of sight from the camera's flash and is still able to fire. This is a great substitute for a hobbyist who can't quite afford the Pocket Wizzards right now. I ordered mine from Gadget Infinity, waited 2 weeks for them to arrive and paid R25 for them to be released.

I tried a rig shot of a friends car and used the flash inside for some fill.

 

[bwana]

Sigh . . . I guess someone is going to be popping into Adorama for me in the next few weeks

 

[chau]

Sigh . . . I guess someone is going to be popping into Adorama for me in the next few weeks

Are you going for the Pocket Wizzards?

 

[bwana]

Are you going for the Pocket Wizzards?

Something along those lines.

 

[SubliminalThought]

I got a set of the Cactus V4 triggers and they work pretty awesomely. The flash can be placed out of sight from the camera's flash and is still able to fire. This is a great substitute for a hobbyist who can't quite afford the Pocket Wizzards right now. I ordered mine from Gadget Infinity, waited 2 weeks for them to arrive and paid R25 for them to be released.

I've got the Cactus V2. They have a bit of triggering issues with the Canon flashes (even the V2s which is supposed to be better!). Even with the Vivitar. I get alot of mis-fires. The Nikon flashes I have (old Sb-24s) work well with them. Even did a mod on the transmitter with a 433 Mhz antenna and its been working much better after that.

If I had spare cash I would get the PWs. On a budget the newer models of the cactus and their clones will probably do. I'm pretty happy not to have spent over R700 for two receivers and two transmitters but I think I would always be wanting a set of PWs!. I think one PW transceiver is like 2k??

 

[koffiejunkie]

Krypty, if you just want a way to trigger the flash, you can get it done really cheaply:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310208803442&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I use it for my old Vivitar, with the Sigma on a sync cord. The double advantage of this trigger is it can handle the crazy voltage of the old flashguns, so you can use your old film-era gear without damaging your DSLR. Works a treat for me.

 

[Wynsam]

Before you go spending bucks use the onboards flash to trigger remote flashes as a try out/test, you might find that it works for you.

I use two flashes off camera -- the Sony 58 and 42 and they are quite sensitive to the the onboard flash. For many of the shots of that ABSA Cape Epic, which by the way are fantastic, the on-board system would have been fine. The 58 or 42 can also be mounted on-camera if the range needs to be extended a bit.

Give it a go, the system is already there, that way you have full metering, high speed shutter synch to the camera's max, ratio control between two external flashes etc already, all in full Auto mode if you want.

 

[bwana]

Before you go spending bucks use the onboards flash to trigger remote flashes as a try out/test, you might find that it works for you.

I use two flashes off camera -- the Sony 58 and 42 and they are quite sensitive to the the onboard flash. For many of the shots of that ABSA Cape Epic, which by the way are fantastic, the on-board system would have been fine. The 58 or 42 can also be mounted on-camera if the range needs to be extended a bit.

Give it a go, the system is already there, that way you have full metering, high speed shutter synch to the camera's max, ratio control between two external flashes etc already, all in full Auto mode if you want.

This is what I'm currently using but I've found that outdoors, particularly in bright sunlight, the range isnt very good.

 

[Wynsam]

the range isnt very good.

What sort of range are you getting?

 

[bwana]

What sort of range are you getting?

I'd have to test it to be sure but under 10 metres.

 

[Krypty]

My problem is I don't have a onboard flash so I need some kind of system.

 

[bwana]

My problem is I don't have a onboard flash so I need some kind of system.

Two speedlites (one acting as a trigger) or one of these http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-Speedlite-Transmitter-ST-E2-Review.aspx

 

[Krypty]

Two speedlites (one acting as a trigger) or one of these http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-Speedlite-Transmitter-ST-E2-Review.aspx

Ah, ok I see.

At this stage I only have the 430EXII so I will need a 580EXII to be the master.

Thanks for the link, did not even know that Canon made that kind of transmitter.

 

[bwana]

Found myself needing a little extra light today at a corporate event so I picked up a "Brilliant MT-16" remote flash trigger set from the local shop.

The nice thing about it is that it has a built in umbrella holder (I picked up a r15 white brolly from the crazy store) and it has two hotshoes.

Talk about a light grenade!

 

[Juggy]

Ah, ok I see.

At this stage I only have the 430EXII so I will need a 580EXII to be the master.

Thanks for the link, did not even know that Canon made that kind of transmitter.

That is the major pulling point with the 580EX apart from the extra lighting power, the ability to drive studio lights

 

[AntiThesis]

Found myself needing a little extra light today at a corporate event so I picked up a "Brilliant MT-16" remote flash trigger set from the local shop.

The nice thing about it is that it has a built in umbrella holder (I picked up a r15 white brolly from the crazy store) and it has two hotshoes.

Talk about a light grenade!

Nice! DIYish and everything - I like

What local store didja pick up the remote set from? And do they deliver?

 

[bwana]

That is the major pulling point with the 580EX apart from the extra lighting power, the ability to drive studio lights

I know I also use them in my studio but speedlights aren't really studio lights.

Nice! DIYish and everything - I like

What local store didja pick up the remote set from? And do they deliver?

Got them from Katz. I know they have an online presence so I'm sure they would deliver them.

I haven't really had the chance to test them out properly yet so I'm not willing to give them my stamp of approval just yet so YMMV! For one thing I don't know what sort of range they have. They're not ETTL so keep that in mind.

And the cost - r600.