Pocketwizard vs Bowens pulsar

Ralphmyster

Ralphmyster

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Which one is the best, will be used quite a lot in a studio. Am drawn towards the pocketwizard but the setup is pro range Bowens. Thanks:shrug:
 
Can't speak for PW (I use Skyports personally) but we have the Pulsars in our works studios and they do the job, it's just they're a bit of overkill in terms of price when you're working so closely to the lights. Apparently, they have very good range and they seem well-built but they eat batteries when they're on for any stretch of time - they use those tiny AAA pencil batteries.

They have multiple channels for different lighting set-ups and they lock well onto a hotshoe. They come supplied with a strap system that slips around a flash head to create a hotshoe-type thing. Works fine.

The new RF-602s look great for a fraction of the price and probably will do just as good a job. :)
 
Thanks, but going to be used in a money making studio hopefully. Looking for a high end studio look ,if you know what I mean.
 
I dont get it.

I used to use Pocket Wizards extensively, now use Elinchrom Skyports for the remote power control, but prefer and use the RF602s over all the above.

What exactly is not 'high end studio look' about them?

Edit - In fact, I think the small form factor of the Yongnuo is far more professional looking than the great big Pocket wizard with its great big twangy aerial poking you in the eye.
 
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Difficult one, personally for continuous pro use I'd go for PWs, having said that though a set of RF602s and a few spare receivers "just in case" would be far more cost effective.
 
I'm not familiar with the Pulsar, but does it allow you to control the power of the lights remotely, like the Elinchroms? If it did, that would for me, be the reason to buy them.
I use PWs, but I also use a meter with built in PW remote, so that's what does it for me. :)
 
If you go pocketwizard OR pulsar, you can get the cards that slot into the back of the heads - saves having bits dangling around, batteries to replace etc. Less to go walkabouts in a hire studio too, and they're cheaper.

Seem to remember that pulsars only like syncing to something stupidly slow like 1/125th :/ could be mistaken though.
 
I think they are dumb triggers, but could be wrong. Don't Bowens have an IR remote control for changing power?
 
Kris said:
I think they are dumb triggers, but could be wrong. Don't Bowens have an IR remote control for changing power?
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yes. Pulsars are dumb, you get a tv style remote control for lighting control.
 
The Pulsars we have at work are just triggers with no control over output levels like Skyports (although I don't know if that function is just with Elinchrom heads).

For the price of one Pulsar you can get a Skyport transmitter/receiver set. They are rechargeable via the mains, which I like (plus a Nokia car charger works too). Or you could get three or four 602s and have every light rigged up without having to rely on optical slaves

I wouldn't get too hung up on looking pro; if they've hired you based on merit (and ability to produce the goods) then I doubt they'll be too bothered about what trigger system you're running :)
 
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specialman said:
(plus a Nokia car charger works too).
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^*!&"^$$^!"*()_)!"$*^^&^

I threw mine out twpo weeks ago because I bought an HTC phone!!! :) Didn't realise they worked on the Nokia charger :)

To the OP, check the sync speed of the various triggers. the new Skyport is better than the original. I think it syncs at 1/200th now but others struggle atr anything over 1/125th.

Most of the time that won't matter but when you need to shoot at higher shutter speeds to block out any ambient it can be important.

What about the RF-602s anyone? Can you sync at higher than 1/125th? With my skyport (old one) it tops out at between 1/125th and 1/160th - On a white background you can see the dark shadow at 1/160th though.
 
Unlike many, I appear to get the full 1/250th out of the rf602s using camera shutters that support that. I also appear to get 1/200th out of the 5dII, while many say they cant.

If it helps, I use AAA Energizer Lithium ulimates in the receivers. Maybe this has an effect.
 
Kris said:
Unlike many, I appear to get the full 1/250th out of the rf602s using camera shutters that support that. I also appear to get 1/200th out of the 5dII, while many say they cant.
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Me too. RF-602. Get a couple of spares if you're worried about reliability but I have five and two transmitters that have never missed a beat. They're so cheap they're almost disposable, and in some ways better than the basic PW triggers - I sold my PWs too :D

If the OP wants to impress clients, and in all seriousness I agree that is an important marketing tactic, then get a six foot softbox and high-end remote control strobes mounted on ceiling rails. There's no doubt clients are influenced by that kind of thing, even if they haven't a clue about what it does. A Hasselblad helps too - at least it looks different to their mate's Canon 350D and if you mention the cost you might get less resistance to the invoice :lol: These things are important :D

RF-602 are better than the PW Pluses becuase they have the flash wake-up faility (at least if you are using Canon Speedlights) and you can also get a faster x-sync out of them than most others.

Like Kris, I can get an almost clean 1/200sec out of mine with a 5D2, though it is marginal and can be affected by the power output/flash duration. This is when the transmitter is mounted on the hot-shoe, and not when plugged into the PC port. In this configuration, which is obvioulsy where you want it anyway, the RF-602's multiple contacts pick up on the E-TTL sync pulse which goes out fractionally ahead of the central firing pin and neatly compensates for the slight delay in the processing of the radio signals :thumbs:

On the other hand, I think the integral Elinchrom system is pretty cool. I don't know much about it TBH but it sounds good and when it comes to gimmicks the Elinchrom catalogue is well stocked with those. They're also bloody good lights. Other brands too I'm sure.
 
Well maybe worth given the RF02s a go, Hoppy was correct in my idea. Although not going that far with the studio as yet, but all bowens pro range is a good start. want it looking good, if I am paying for a studio I want good results.If I see high end equipment and don't get the results its more likely to be me than the equipment. LOL
 
Ralphmyster said:
Well maybe worth given the RF02s a go, Hoppy was correct in my idea. Although not going that far with the studio as yet, but all bowens pro range is a good start. want it looking good, if I am paying for a studio I want good results.If I see high end equipment and don't get the results its more likely to be me than the equipment. LOL
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yeah, otoh... radio triggers are in no way in the actual image chain itself, that is only the light source, the lens, camera and the processing.

RF602s are reliable in an enviroment like that, and come with cables to plug in to studio lights. Get a few short 'wrist straps' on ebay to hang the receivers on.
 
If only 'looking professional' is all it took......
 
To True RANK AMATEUR lol.When I spend my hard earned pennies I like to feel I'm getting value for money. knowing what your doing is key to any business, we have all tried basic affordable lighting setups and been more than happy with the results. A model and a pro setup is the next step, and the lighting and equipment sytem needs to be up to the job. Thats why I source branded reliable equipment. clients who pay want to see money in your equipment even if they got know idea how to use it LOL.
 
Ralphmyster said:
To True RANK AMATEUR lol.When I spend my hard earned pennies I like to feel I'm getting value for money. knowing what your doing is key to any business, we have all tried basic affordable lighting setups and been more than happy with the results. A model and a pro setup is the next step, and the lighting and equipment sytem needs to be up to the job. Thats why I source branded reliable equipment. clients who pay want to see money in your equipment even if they got know idea how to use it LOL.
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To a certain extent, he does have a point. We've all seen hilarious DIY 'solutions' that I would never dream of using in a professional situation...
 
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