specialman
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- Pat MacInnes
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Was going to opt for the Atlas but the TTL pass-through was a big temptation so here we are - postie just dropped a Tx+Rx pack, plus a spare Rx.
Packaging is spot on and and everything - Strato units, cables, batteries and manual - are all well-packed and come in a very professional-looking package.
First impressions is that they're very well made and sooooo much better than those PR-04s we probably all used at some point.
Plastics are good, as are the fits between sections - impressively, the battery compartment doors on both transmitter and receiver snap into place lively, with a reassuringly solid click that signals some thought has been put into them.
Design is functional and fairly pleasing to the eye; build is spot-on; buttons are easy to use.
The test buttons on top are plastic (not rubberised) but feels positive and again, cluck positively when you press them. The test button lights up an LED on the top of the casing when pressed; it flashes green intermittently to signal the unit has power, glowing red when a signal is sent to fire the flash.
As you'll have seen in more comprehensive reviews elsewhere, the receiver has an on/off switch but the transmitter does not. Probably something that will be addressed in time on an update methinks; just have to remember to remove batteries when not in use.
Channel switch on both Tx/Rx is easy to switch and clearly marked, actually better than on my Skyports TBH. The fit looks pretty good too, although I'm sure the acid test will be using them in a downpour.
Channel select button is easy to use, isn't flimsy and works!
The metal hotshot on the Tx is tough and fits both my SB800s fine. TTL pass through works fine but I'm going to test it with CLS this week to see if it works on a larger scale than my kitchen
Shot taken with SB800 in TTL mode utilising TTL pass-through on transmitter unit; as you can see, exposure is spot on and not affected by going through the circuitry of the Tx
Thumbwheel TK lock the Tx onto the camera is a bit tight against the casing but with nimble fingers it locks fine. In the cold I'm sure it's gonna be a bit tricky....
Tripod mount on the Ex is a very handy feature for me because it means I can use tilt and swivel in a heavy duty tripod for outdoor work instead of risking a more flimsy lightstand.
Plastic hotshoe on Rx units may not be to everyone's tastes and they don't feature a locking weel for more secure coldshoe/stand attachment but the screw thread for tripod/stand mounting is very useful
Haven't tried the range yet - will do this on Thursday when I'm on a shoot.
Loads of cables supplied (the remote trigger option might be useful) and AAA batteries (energiser) are supplied. Packaging looks very professional and the text all makes sense, as opposed to some HK/Chinese stuff translated into English.
Price was about £117 Inc P&P, but that was also with an umbrella swivel head - I bought from the Phottix online store so check prices on there; it was £51 for a Tx/Rx pack, and £35 per additional Rx unit. Amazingly quick delivery - ordered on Thursday afternoon, arrived Tuesday morning.... wow!!
The reason why I bought these is two-fold; firstly, the TTL pass through option seemed intriguing to combine manual with CLS, especially indoors. Secondly, I'm fed up of PC connections falling out of flashes and Skyports not being as compact. Thirdly, I wanted to test an easy-to-use trigger system that I could then suggest within work that the journalists could grasp easily at a low cost.
The acid test is going to be the two features I have this week, plus a wedding on Saturday. So far I'm impressed, very impressed.
Pics and an update to follow ASAP
Packaging is spot on and and everything - Strato units, cables, batteries and manual - are all well-packed and come in a very professional-looking package.
First impressions is that they're very well made and sooooo much better than those PR-04s we probably all used at some point.
Plastics are good, as are the fits between sections - impressively, the battery compartment doors on both transmitter and receiver snap into place lively, with a reassuringly solid click that signals some thought has been put into them.
Design is functional and fairly pleasing to the eye; build is spot-on; buttons are easy to use.
The test buttons on top are plastic (not rubberised) but feels positive and again, cluck positively when you press them. The test button lights up an LED on the top of the casing when pressed; it flashes green intermittently to signal the unit has power, glowing red when a signal is sent to fire the flash.
As you'll have seen in more comprehensive reviews elsewhere, the receiver has an on/off switch but the transmitter does not. Probably something that will be addressed in time on an update methinks; just have to remember to remove batteries when not in use.
Channel switch on both Tx/Rx is easy to switch and clearly marked, actually better than on my Skyports TBH. The fit looks pretty good too, although I'm sure the acid test will be using them in a downpour.
Channel select button is easy to use, isn't flimsy and works!
The metal hotshot on the Tx is tough and fits both my SB800s fine. TTL pass through works fine but I'm going to test it with CLS this week to see if it works on a larger scale than my kitchen
Shot taken with SB800 in TTL mode utilising TTL pass-through on transmitter unit; as you can see, exposure is spot on and not affected by going through the circuitry of the Tx
Thumbwheel TK lock the Tx onto the camera is a bit tight against the casing but with nimble fingers it locks fine. In the cold I'm sure it's gonna be a bit tricky....
Tripod mount on the Ex is a very handy feature for me because it means I can use tilt and swivel in a heavy duty tripod for outdoor work instead of risking a more flimsy lightstand.
Plastic hotshoe on Rx units may not be to everyone's tastes and they don't feature a locking weel for more secure coldshoe/stand attachment but the screw thread for tripod/stand mounting is very useful
Haven't tried the range yet - will do this on Thursday when I'm on a shoot.
Loads of cables supplied (the remote trigger option might be useful) and AAA batteries (energiser) are supplied. Packaging looks very professional and the text all makes sense, as opposed to some HK/Chinese stuff translated into English.
Price was about £117 Inc P&P, but that was also with an umbrella swivel head - I bought from the Phottix online store so check prices on there; it was £51 for a Tx/Rx pack, and £35 per additional Rx unit. Amazingly quick delivery - ordered on Thursday afternoon, arrived Tuesday morning.... wow!!
The reason why I bought these is two-fold; firstly, the TTL pass through option seemed intriguing to combine manual with CLS, especially indoors. Secondly, I'm fed up of PC connections falling out of flashes and Skyports not being as compact. Thirdly, I wanted to test an easy-to-use trigger system that I could then suggest within work that the journalists could grasp easily at a low cost.
The acid test is going to be the two features I have this week, plus a wedding on Saturday. So far I'm impressed, very impressed.
Pics and an update to follow ASAP
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