Cheapo Triggers: What to go for?

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adam*

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I'd like to hear people's recommendations on which triggers to buy- the pt-04's or rf602's. I'd be getting a transmitter and two receivers to work with my current 580ex and another flash (any recommendations on cheap but fairly good and reliable flashes to be used fully manually?). What other kit would you guys get for starting off with, i'm thinking one shoot through umbrella, one bounce and a 32" softbox?

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Adam
 
I've just bought a pair of RF602's off FITP on here - threw them straight in the deep end with a proper conveyor belt of portraits this weekend with my studio lighting setup and they didn't miss a beat.

Feel nice and sturdy too :thumbs:

Also appear to work my 430EXII quite nicely, and even using them as a remote shutter for my 500D works like a charm too :D
 
That's what I was thinking, I want something reliable for doing quick press assignments, usually location portraits. Think i'm going to sell my 85 1.8 so I can fund some of these, some umbrellas, stands and an extra flash or two.
 
Yeah that's why I was asking as he sells both. Will be ordering quite alot from there I think once I worked out what I need. Currently using CTR-301P's but i've not been that impressed. The RF's look alot sturdier too.
 
OK that's good. CR2's a pain in my ctr-301s.

What's the sync speed on them? Specific experience with a 5D + 580ex? My ctr's are meant to be 1/250 but I have trouble getting them over 1/125 quite often.
 
adam* said:
OK that's good. CR2's a pain in my ctr-301s.

What's the sync speed on them? Specific experience with a 5D + 580ex? My ctr's are meant to be 1/250 but I have trouble getting them over 1/125 quite often.
Click to expand...

perfect reliability at 1/200 1/250 only on fresh batteries with a fair wind
 
adam* said:
OK that's good. CR2's a pain in my ctr-301s.

What's the sync speed on them? Specific experience with a 5D + 580ex? My ctr's are meant to be 1/250 but I have trouble getting them over 1/125 quite often.
Click to expand...

On my 40D (x-sync 1/250sec) I have no probs with 1/200sec using the RF-602. I use 1/160sec to be safe since it usually makes no odds.

With a 5D I wouldn't count on getting above 1/125sec but you might be lucky. Use fresh batteries.
 
Hmm sounds ok, wonder if the pt-04 are more reliable for higher synching. Will test course mates tomorrow. Any reason why on a 5D specifically you can't get above 1/125?
 
I didn't realise the 5d had a slower sync, does a 5dII sync quicker?

bigger shutter i spose, explains why my kiev syncs at 1/30th :D
 
adam* said:
Hmm sounds ok, wonder if the pt-04 are more reliable for higher synching. Will test course mates tomorrow. Any reason why on a 5D specifically you can't get above 1/125?
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's a bigger slower shutter than my 40D, which syncs up to 1/250sec. 5D and 5DII are 1/200sec, so in theory you might expect it to be slower.

However, thinking about it for a moment the critical bit is how long the shutter stays wide open before the second curtain moves, and that is quite likely the same sort of duration regardless of the camera so it could well be a fraction faster.

It's easy enough to test - shoot a white wall on manual and keep increasing the shutter speed until you can just see a dark band at the bottom, then back it off to the next speed slower.

Use a highish f/number when you do this, which increases depth of focus which makes the shadow of the shutter blind appear more clearly - same theory as why sensor dust doesn't show up at low f/numbers.

Also beware of low batteries in the trigger - anecdotal evidence on here suggests that when they get low the trigger gets sluggish.
 
noticed the sluggishness on low batteries, the Rx units seem to dislike rechargeable aaa's or at least rape them....
 
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