Studio trigger recommendations

[andy1868]

So for a couple of years I've been using a Lencarta wavesync with various heads with no problems, but unfortunately the sync cable at the head end seems to have become faulty. The led lights up on both the trigger and receiver like they're talking to each other but the signal doesn't always get to the head, if you wiggle the cable it will sometimes work and sometimes not.

I'm no master of the solder, in fact the exact opposite so I was looking for a new set, but unfortunately I can only see the newer USB triggers on the Lencarta site, which won't work with any heads that I have. Having a quick look Lastolite seem to do one at a reasonable price but is there any others that I should be looking at? It's only a simple trigger and receiver I need, but I would like something reliable (the Lencarta has been up until very recently, I suspect it's become damaged while in my bag, not a design fault or anything)

This is the lastolite one I've been looking at
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-lastolite-lumen8-radio-trigger/p1019157

 

[simonbarker]

When it comes to triggers I reason if you don't need TTL or more advanced controls (power etc) you can get away with almost anything but if you're doing critical work it may be worth spending more on something better built.

The trigger you linked to looks an awful lot like http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371025197121 but just 4 times the cost.

 

[andy1868]

I could have sworn i responded to this earlier

That is a good point, it looks similar but not identical. I don't know whether spending the extra on something made by a trusted manufacturer is worth the extra cash though. I just want reliability, nothing worse than having a family posed, 2 year old is smiling and looking down the lens, press the shutter and no flash! Which is exactly what happened to me last week fortunately i was able to put everything in slave and fire it from my pop up flash but it isn't something i want to rely on in the future.

Heck, for £10.39 i could buy the lastolite and have the cheap one as a backup or 4 cheap ones and have 3 backups

 

[simonbarker]

Well if you have your heart set on the Lastolite there's one on eBay right now for less than £20 delivered.

My point was though that while they're not identical I'm fairly confident that trigger is made in China and just re-branded for Lastolite or whoever so I don't put too much stock in brands for this sort of item.

If money were no object I'd happily recommend some PocketWizards plus 3 transceivers, they've operated flawlessly although I've only used them in comfortable conditions.

 

[andy1868]

If only money were no object, if that was the case i don't think i would have made this thread and just gone ahead and bought the PocketWizards as they seem to get good reviews! Even then, i would guess at them being overkill for my needs, but its better than underkill (if thats even a word)

I don't necessarily have my heart set on a lastolite it was more just the fact that it was a well known brand as oppose to to an unheard of one, i suspect you may be right regarding the built in same factories factor though

 

[Garry Edwards]

From my own (limited) experience, I would say that the Yongnuo RF-602 is hard to beat at the price.

 

[f/1.2]

From my own (limited) experience, I would say that the Yongnuo RF-602 is hard to beat at the price.

I have some of the Yongnuo's only ever used them on my speedlights never even thought about using them on my studio lights. Is there a cable or something I need to get?

 

[Garry Edwards]

I have some of the Yongnuo's only ever used them on my speedlights never even thought about using them on my studio lights. Is there a cable or something I need to get?

They should have come with a short cable.
Your studio lights will have either a 3.5mm or a 6.5mm jack socket, and adapters are available to convert in either direction - it's a standard audio fitting, so Maplins etc will have them if needed.

 

[f/1.2]

They should have come with a short cable.
Your studio lights will have either a 3.5mm or a 6.5mm jack socket, and adapters are available to convert in either direction - it's a standard audio fitting, so Maplins etc will have them if needed.

Maybe it's because I have the RF-603'S but they only came with the shutter release cable to connect to the camera. I think I have found the right cable here.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yongnuo-L...UK_Photography_Sync_Cords&hash=item5afc12457f

 

[andy1868]

RF-602s might not be a bad idea actually, I've always just used Nikons CLS system in the field but it's caused issues at times with line of sight etc.

The only downside there would be the use of batteries etc but there's always spares in the bag anyway so wouldn't be the end of the world. And the other being high speed sync, but I'm thinking the use of auto fp wirelessly is going to cost a pretty penny anyway!

 

[f/1.2]

RF-602s might not be a bad idea actually, I've always just used Nikons CLS system in the field but it's caused issues at times with line of sight etc.

The only downside there would be the use of batteries etc but there's always spares in the bag anyway so wouldn't be the end of the world. And the other being high speed sync, but I'm thinking the use of auto fp wirelessly is going to cost a pretty penny anyway!

I have moved from using Nikon CLS to Yongnuo manual flashes with RF-603's and am much happier in terms of both the results and in terms of the flexibility the triggers offer over using another flash or built in flash in commander mode. They won't suit everyone but I have found it works better for me.

 

[JennyGW]

I have some of the Yongnuo's only ever used them on my speedlights never even thought about using them on my studio lights. Is there a cable or something I need to get?

I'm using my Speedlites' Yongnuo 622C's on my strobes with no problems.

 

[cosmix3]

From my own (limited) experience, I would say that the Yongnuo RF-602 is hard to beat at the price.

Have some of these myself, they where used all the time before I got trigger cards for my Bowens, so happily give the 602's a thumbs up

 

[andy1868]

Looks like we have a winner then, they'll come in handy for OCF at some events I have coming up too!

 

[Somersetman]

+1 for Yongnuo RF-602s from me. Don't buy them without cables though, as the cables alone are hard to get hold of (the end that goes into the RF-602 is a proprietary 3 pin connector)