pocketwizard help

stumac

stumac

Suspended / Banned
Messages
3,369
Name
stuart
Edit My Images
Yes
So after multiple failings with my flash as a slave outdoors( canon ex flashes)I think I may have to invest in some pocket wizards, I see there is the plus and the mini systems to choose from but what one is best?? I will be using 3 flash guns for general outdoor shoots and would if possable like have the option of using fast shutter speeds( hi speed sync)
Also is there any other systems as good but not as expensive with ttl?

Thanks in advance
 
The PW Pluses are basic manual triggers, as Graham says, similar to many others on the market at a fraction of the price and, arguably, not as good as some. Check out Yongnuo RF-602 and Phottix Stratos.

The PW Mini/Flex system is entirely different, with many advanced features including TTL and HSS. Apart from being radio, it actually improves on the Canon system in several significant ways though has not been without teething problems. Radio Poppers are an alternative, and equally expensive.
 
Hi Stu,

I have both the PW+II and the mini tt1 and 5's...Still experimenting with the TT versions...there has just been a firmware upgrade too, that needs to be looked at...but to get to the point....Type this number into that big online auction site....220829206843...Do some reading on them too...STW
 
I ordered a pair of Phottix Altas triggers with cases and a holder for a total of £181 including shipping last week, which is considerably cheaper than an equivalent Pocket Wizard set of plus 2s.

They should arrive any day now.

Review here
 
Tugster I like the look of them for the money, Have you any experience?
 
stumac said:
Tugster I like the look of them for the money, Have you any experience?
Click to expand...

The advantage of the Phottix Atlas triggers is that they use exactly the same frequency as PWs, so if you've got some of those, and want a few more, you can integrate the Atlas and save some money. It's also for this reason that PW are suing Phottix and you can't buy the Atlas in the US. Same triggers are also sold by Interfit and Calumet, but check the frequencies - there are US and EC versions.

IMHO the Phottix Statos are the ones to get (also reviewed on the site linked above) because they are smaller and neater, have an E-TTL pass-through, and use a much higher and more robust frequency. And cheaper.

Others to look at are the Yongnuo RF-602/3, and Cactus V5.
 
stumac said:
Tugster I like the look of them for the money, Have you any experience?
Click to expand...

Sorry Stu , I do not have any experience but I'm sure google will be your friend .. I found them after purchasing my Flex TT's
 
HoppyUK said:
The advantage of the Phottix Atlas triggers is that they use exactly the same frequency as PWs, so if you've got some of those, and want a few more, you can integrate the Atlas and save some money. It's also for this reason that PW are suing Phottix and you can't buy the Atlas in the US. Same triggers are also sold by Interfit and Calumet, but check the frequencies - there are US and EC versions.

IMHO the Phottix Statos are the ones to get (also reviewed on the site linked above) because they are smaller and neater, have an E-TTL pass-through, and use a much higher and more robust frequency. And cheaper.

Others to look at are the Yongnuo RF-602/3, and Cactus V5.
Click to expand...

Isn't the 2.4 Ghz band quite overcrowded with video senders and the like ?
 
2.4 is good, I use it for rc model planes
 
Tugster said:
Isn't the 2.4 Ghz band quite overcrowded with video senders and the like ?
Click to expand...

Yes, it's not immune. But it's not affected by the RF output of actual flash guns, which is the PW's plague.
 
Isn't the problem to do with yank FCC ID pocket wizards and Canon 580 EX II flashes, the shield they sell goes around the flash to prevent it interfering with the PW. Yes the Euro versions are on the 2.4Ghz frequency but that's down to restrictions out of their control. Loads of stuff uses it like car key fobs for alarms, your wireless router, isn't bluetooth on it as well?
 
EC (Europe, Far East) Pocket Wizards use 433MHz

FCC (US) Pocket Wizards use 344Mhz
 
Personally i would got with the tt5 set up. it's pretty future proof and its Pocket Wizard so you know it's going to work every time all the time
 
Every time, all the time? PW's are good but certainly not that good. There are times that my RF602s have proved more robust.
 
I've shot with PW for around 5 years now, probably over 1,000 events and I can't remember any occasions when they haven't fired as expected.

Last year I changed all my studio heads to Elinchrom BXRi's, so it made sense to use the Skyport system which in my experiece is far less reliable.
 
Which PWs are we talking about? The older Plus and PlusII have a very good rep, even if they're not the most robust or best made triggers out there these days (and there's a lot).

On the other hand, the newer auto-TTL Mini/Flex system has been plagued with terrible unreliability issues. They seem to be mostly sorted now, one way or another, but some people still get RF interference problems with certain guns. What they do however, in terms of improved sync options, is impressive and unique to PW.
 
Personally I'm talking about the Plus II's.

I *believe* that the issue with the Flex system was limited one model of Canon speedlight (though not 100% on this), and I understand that Canon have altered the design to offer better shielding.

I'm shortly buying the Flex system (for Nikon) which I'm very much looking forward to.
 
Jerm said:
Personally I'm talking about the Plus II's.

I *believe* that the issue with the Flex system was limited one model of Canon speedlight (though not 100% on this), and I understand that Canon have altered the design to offer better shielding.

I'm shortly buying the Flex system (for Nikon) which I'm very much looking forward to.
Click to expand...

The only Canon gun that doesn't have RF issues is the 430EXii. Canon have done nothing, but PW have introduced two very cumbersome physical shields, or there is a PW approved internal mod available for the 580 guns ($75, from US only).

Some firmware mods have improved things, and the EC frequency models are said to be less problematic, but that depends who you ask.

The newer Nikon versions are also said to be prone to some slight RF interference, but the jury seems to out on that just yet, likewise the EC versions of those. Certainly nothing like the early Canon problems. Some Nissin guns also work okay. Best info that I know of about all this is on www.robgalbraith.com

It also seems to me that the inconsistency of user reports suggests that different copies of the same gun can vary, and you might be lucky/unlucky with RF spikes. I know for fact that my four 580EX guns, all bought at different times, are slighly different inside.
 
I have some copper adhesive tape which I am in the process of lining the bodies of my 580mkii's This will be perfect if it works ...I'll report back when I have any updates..Just got to be care that it doesn't short anything out inside...I used to use it to line RF equipment to prevent any stray RF getting in or out ...Expensive stuff but if it works, and I think it will, it will be worth it...
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top