Pocket Wizard options?

Johnny1982

Johnny1982

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,135
Name
Johnny
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi guys,

I need some advise in which is the best kit to get.

I have the following kit.
Canon 5D Mark III
Canon 580 EX I
Canon 430 EX II
Canon 430 EX II
Couple of brollies, soft boxes & stands.

I obviously want to use the speed lights off camera. I'l soon be replacing the 580 EX I with a 600 EX-RT (Although I can only afford the purchase of one).

I have 4x Yongnuo RF 603's but to be honest I haven't been overly impressed with them. Inconsistant firing, no auto power off - Burning through batteries really fast. Flash was unstable on the tripod due to the Yongnuo RF 603 having no locking mech. Flashes won't fire when camera is in live view.So anyway I am looking at investing on a much better system.Budget is roughly between £400 - £600What am I best going for in the pocket wizard range? I want to have something for the future so I am weighing up my options.

Mini TTL1 & Flex TT5 & AC3 Zone Controller
orPlus III x 3 ? - If these are even an option?


Can you please assist me on if this is appropirate for me or if I am missing something.

Cheers

Johnny
 
If you only want dumb triggers I'm sure you can find much cheaper options then the plus III. If you require TTL then the YN-622c are will thought of for canon.
 
It all depends whether you're looking at dumb triggers or ETTL.

I sold my PW flex triggers to fund YN622's, the PWs were a great setup, but I was suffering from interference at wedding receptions, the YN's have been faultless, but using the camera menu is tedious. I'm waiting for the TX launch for Canon and I'll be a happy bunny.

For dumb triggers, there's plenty of choice without spending PW money, but I have no personal experience.
 
Well to be honest after using the 603's I am a little worried about throwing more money towards that brand whilst I have a budget for something much more reliable.I do want ETTL and I want zone control. There is also the most expensive solution and that is to invest in the ST-E3 & 3 600 EX-RT's but that is a 4 figure budget I am just maybe not ready for. However I don't want to spend 400 - 600 to only go and buy again after this.

Johnny
 
Spend £60 on a pair of YN 622's and if you're not completely happy, I'll take them off you for cost price.

I'm deadly serious, the only advantage the PWs had was the ability to fine tune the timing for HSS, and apparently that's available with the launch of the 622TX.

Considering what I paid for the Pocketwizards, and the problems they gave me, the 622's are a no brainer,
 
The ability to dial in flash exposure compensation from the AC3 is what I like about the pocket wizard system. I'm nearly always in manual but I find the TTL works well.

Having said that if I shot canon I would certainly look to upgrade my flashes to the 600's. Even if it meant getting one at a time.
 
Phil V said:
I'm deadly serious, the only advantage the PWs had was the ability to fine tune the timing for HSS, and apparently that's available with the launch of the 622TX.
Click to expand...


I know we disagree on this ;) but thats not the only advantage the PW's have. The excellent AC3 and the ability to mix and match with other triggers from the range being just 2. They don't weld themselves to my camera either and while the 622TX looks ace its unproven. I do get the canon versions have issues the Nikon ones don't.
 
boyfalldown said:
I know we disagree on this ;) but thats not the only advantage the PW's have. The excellent AC3 and the ability to mix and match with other triggers from the range being just 2. They don't weld themselves to my camera either and while the 622TX looks ace its unproven. I do get the canon versions have issues the Nikon ones don't.
Click to expand...
I liked the AC3, and when my PW's worked, they were brilliant and easy to use. but when they didn't it was heartbreaking (and there has top be something for us to disagree about).
ryanyboy said:
...
Having said that if I shot canon I would certainly look to upgrade my flashes to the 600's. Even if it meant getting one at a time.
Click to expand...
Honestly, whilst the 600 radio system is awesome out of the box, you pay a real premium for it, and the idea of spending more replacing all my speedlights than it'd cost for 3 cheap TTL flashguns and YN triggers and a battery powered studio light is just cringeworthy.
 
For basic manual triggers, the new YN 603 Mk2 looks promising. YN triggers generally have a very good reliability rep. I use Phottix Strato II and they're probably the best manual triggers around, though a bit more money.

With E-TTL, obvious choice is the YN 622, great value. Phottix Odins are arguably better with that nice user-interface, but more money. PW Mini/Flex has some unique and clever features, well worth having if you need them (optimised second-curtain sync, optimised high speed sync, and optimised hypersync) but more money and looks a bit clunky these days with the AC3 on top, plus potential RF interference and range issues (though 430EX-II guns are okay, I think).
 
ryanyboy said:
I'm not sure what Phil meant by his last few words but this looks fantastic:-

http://profoto.com/uk/products/off-camera-flash

It's very high on my shopping list and as a wedding photographer I think it looks particularly useful.
Click to expand...
I didn't mean them, they're a budget buster. Awesome and I'd love a couple but they're more wish list than shopping list. I was thinking more iLux, a Lencarta Safari, elinchrom ranger, Bessel whatchamacallits.
 
Well, I use elinchrom quadras (much like the lencarta safari you mentioned) and absolutely love them. Light, portable, powerful, I can't imagine not having them in my wedding photography.
 
ryanyboy said:
Well, I use elinchrom quadras (much like the lencarta safari you mentioned) and absolutely love them. Light, portable, powerful, I can't imagine not having them in my wedding photography.
Click to expand...
Hi,

I have also previously used a Ranger Quadra on location and the results were nothing short of fantastic! Especially coupled with the ECO ring light!
I am looking to invest in that later this year again.
 
If you see yourself purchasing Eli lights in the future, Eli Skyports for the Quadras are pretty much essential.

You can use Skyports as dumb triggers if you have them.

The prices for PeeWee dumb triggers is a waste of money at this stage. They are on the wrong frequency and their design is totally dated - sync cords are basta..... Ten years ago, this was a different story.

Your 603 woes should not be evidence of all YN trigger performance. In my time I have used PW Plus, Plus 2, flex system, Eli skyports, 602s et al, but my favourite of them all is the 622s. Skyports can piggyback on the 622 transmitters.
 
Last edited:
Johnny, Do you need eTTL? If not, there are some great flashes out there that support remote power adjustment:
http://flashhavoc.com/godox-v850-ving-review/
http://flashhavoc.com/cheetah-cl180-godox-ad180-review/ (same as Lencarta Atom)

The Canon 600-system is ludicrously overpriced. Also, this is coming: http://flashhavoc.com/phottix-mitros-with-built-in-ttl-radio-announced/

As for the reliability of the RF603, I can't quite follow. Yes, they have no screw lock and are a little slow, but I haven't had any miss-fires or excessive battery consumption.
 
Cistron said:
As for the reliability of the RF603, I can't quite follow. Yes, they have no screw lock and are a little slow, but I haven't had any miss-fires or excessive battery consumption.
Click to expand...

The mkII version has a screw lock, and are now starting to become available via ebay. Haven't seen a UK based seller for these as yet, but they will eventually filter across the pond
 
Cistron said:
The Canon 600-system is ludicrously overpriced. Also, this is coming: http://flashhavoc.com/phottix-mitros-with-built-in-ttl-radio-announced/
.
Click to expand...
The Canon system is superbly priced for the technology, imho.

Its by far the most advanced remote radio flash system, holds its value superbly, has the most groups of any system, will be compatible with all current and all future Canon bodies and systems (and most other 3rd party systems that are made for Canon) for years to come, has by far the best Focus Assist by miles for all focus points, esp on the 5dIII, was first to market for inbuilt radio (for excellent local ttl gun) and has been out and professionally proven for over 18 months.

Canon 600exrt - £450
Mitros+ - £350

I know where my money would be going.
 
Last edited:
As said above, the Yongnuo YN-622C are extremely good value and once the soon to be released YN-622N-TX transmitter with built in LCD interface is available, this will make adjustments more user friendly rather than using the built-in camera menus.

The YN-622C's work best with the Mark II & later Canon flashguns as older guns in manual mode need to be set via the flashgun.

Although more expensive, the Phottix Odin's have a more user friendly interface and supports earlier version flashguns, so are currently appealing to me, (my modest needs - ETTL plus the occasional manual ) but if one needed all the clever features (see post #11 above) the Pocketwizards Flex TT1 / TT5 plus AC3 would be my choice.
 
lostsoulal2 said:
As said above, the Yongnuo YN-622C are extremely good value and once the soon to be released YN-622N-TX transmitter with built in LCD interface is available, this will make adjustments more user friendly rather than using the built-in camera menus.

The YN-622C's work best with the Mark II & later Canon flashguns as older guns in manual mode need to be set via the flashgun.

Although more expensive, the Phottix Odin's have a more user friendly interface and supports earlier version flashguns, so are currently appealing to me, (my modest needs - ETTL plus the occasional manual ) but if one needed all the clever features (see post #11 above) the Pocketwizards Flex TT1 / TT5 plus AC3 would be my choice.
Click to expand...
Might want to hold your horses. Earlier gun compatibility appears to be coming, at least for manual control (and assuming I read his comments correctly).

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=16680429&postcount=202

lianggc is the lead designer for Yongnuo.
 
Kris said:
Might want to hold your horses. Earlier gun compatibility appears to be coming, at least for manual control (and assuming I read his comments correctly).

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=16680429&postcount=202

lianggc is the lead designer for Yongnuo.
Click to expand...

That's good to know, both that the lead designer is active on POTN and that when the YN-622TX is released (wonder when that will be as it was first announced last August? o_O) it should be able to support/control the earlier version flashguns.

Thanks for the info :ty: +1 for the YN622C + 622TX when available ;)
 
Wouldn't call him (or her?!) active, he throws a few bones occasionally.
 
Hi Guys,
just come across this thread, not sure if you are aware but the YN-622TX is now available certainly for Nikon anyway, here is a quick ebay LINK to check out
 
MoysieWRX said:
Hi Guys,
just come across this thread, not sure if you are aware but the YN-622TX is now available certainly for Nikon anyway, here is a quick ebay LINK to check out
Click to expand...

Although never owned PW's but watched quite a few tutorials on PW from likes of Joe Brady and Mark Wallace I am definitely happy with my Yn-622n-TX plus Yn-622n receivers and not sure what extra features Pw's have which the Yongnuo can't do, so overall very pleased and I am pretty sure amazon do the Tx plus 2 receivers for less than £100 which overall is a massive savings cf to PW's:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top