wireless flash triggers

antc

antc

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Hi everyone,

As the title suggests im looking for some wireless flash triggers. I have seen the following two versions on ebay and i cant see what the difference between them is apart from in looks.

1.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Flash-Trigger...9528409QQihZ012QQcategoryZ29994QQcmdZViewItem

or

2.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Flash-Trigger...2991041QQihZ011QQcategoryZ48515QQcmdZViewItem

What do you guys in the know think? Is there something better? I know about pocket wizards and the other super duper expensive ones but as i am just starting out with wireless flash i though i would see how i go before investing in anything too expensive.

Help :bonk:
 
TBH if you are looking at the Ebay slaves, there is not much difference between them. The only thing is, make sure they are compatible with any flashes you have, and the flashes have full manual mode. And be warned, they are addictive, you will want to upgrade very soon when you reach the limit of the Ebay jobbies, i am soon:lol:
 
Both of the two i linked to look very similar. I prefer the design of the ones in the first link. One thing i cant work out is how the boxy looking one connects with my flash gun?
 
The top part connects to the hot shoe connector on your camera body.

The bottom part connects to the flashgun and the tripod/stand/lightstand, with the flashgun on top, and the stand of the trigger onto the stand.

They're both effectively the same, same connectors, and just badged differently, and take different batteries.
 
Ahhh i see, cool. Thanks for clearing that up. What kind of range do you get on them? Being radio triggers im guessing they have a decent range and the flashes can be infront or behind you and still fire fine?

Also if i was to buy 2 sets can i fire two flashes using just the one transmitter so long as they are all on the same channel?
 
They do the same job, but the first one uses AAA batteries for the receiver, and it doesn't have a PC connector and it is a new version. Don't know if the range is improved.

Second one is the old model, the receiver uses CR5 battery and it has a PC socket on one side.
 
The first one, i have the phottix versions, and they have a PC socket.

Failing that, add your own PC socket! It'll cost pence, as long as you have a soldering iron.
 
So the phottix version has a pc socket then, I asked one ebay seller which confirmed it doesn't. And also people at strobist flickr confirmed though they didn't state what brand.

Anyway pc sockets are not very reliable. Its better to use 3.5mm mono jack, in addition, the cables are easier to find.
 
Well i have just ordered the one in the 2nd link i posted so i will update this thread once it arrives.

Looking forward to it, my first foray into wireless flash :)
 
do all of these cheap ebay ones work with E-ttl ?
 
I highly recommend Elinchrome's Skyport. Much cheaper and smaller than Pocketwizards and way more reliable than eBay triggers.

www.elinchrom.com (Swiss made)
 
oh, so do they jsut fire, or you have to set it up manualy, im not really clued up on flashing
 
You need to set the flashes manually, it's no biggy, pick a setting, try it. If it doesn't work, adjust the power up or down as required :thumbs:
 
im thinking of getting the sunpak 　PZ42X as i want ettl, but if im using it manual i guess i can use any old flash.

is it worth still getting this flash to use on the camera and cord ?
 
You could certainly get that and a cord and retain e-ttl, but you're still going to be looking at £120-130 and you'll be limited as to where you can place the flash.

A wee touch more would buy you two new Vivitar 285HVs and a set of ebay triggers, or a decent secondhand Canon flash...
 
The newer Ebay triggers seem to be more reliable, from what I've read, etter to start with these and then upgrade as and when the "wallet" allows ;)
 
do the triggers work with any old flash, thats not dedicated to canon ?
 
MadMacro said:
Still expensive (according to my wallet, bless her)

Nick
Click to expand...

£90 for a transmitter and receiver is bloody not expensive! But I know what you mean... My wallet never fills up automagically! Stupid thing :)

May I ask what you need the wireless triggers for? What is it you would like to achieve? Maybe cables might be just enough for you which obviously would be much cheaper.
 
saxk said:
do the triggers work with any old flash, thats not dedicated to canon ?
Click to expand...

Yeah, the triggers are not depending on model but on what mount they use. I'm not entirely sure but as long as you use a hotshoe flash, you'll be absolutely fine.
 
bakedbeans said:
May I ask what you need the wireless triggers for? What is it you would like to achieve? Maybe cables might be just enough for you which obviously would be much cheaper.
Click to expand...

I'm setting up a small studio and will mainly be doing still life and macro stuff I think, though with this hobby things seem to lead to other things...
As for what I'd like to acheive - I am keen to find out what I CAN acheive as I feel pretty daunted by some of the brilliant stuff I see on here and elsewhere.
And yes, I'll be perfectly happy with cables for remote flash until I realize what it is I need wireless for, can't see it at the moment.
 
I think you'll be fine with some long cables then, much cheaper and does the trick. You really only need wireless if you:

a) want to be far away from the subject
b) freedom with moving around
c) trip over cables easily :lol:

Just keep on shooting! I'm still learning to use my flash... It's a battle!
 
Cables aren't really any cheaper - £20 or so for a trigger and receiver (allowing the use of any make of flash) and another £10 eachor so for extra receivers. Cables start from £20 and only work one flash....
 
It might help when asking this type of question to mention the camera you use. I say this because Nikon have a remote flash system where the cameras built in flash can work as a command flash to slaves, or the SB800 flashgun can be used if the Nikon camera doesn't have this facility built in. The lower of the range don't include this feature

The Nikon setup can allow for several flashes to be triggered or selective groups of remote flashguns to fire.

Realspeed
 
Basically, but as you won't be using it in the way it was really intended you just play around with the settings until it looks decentish ;)
 
great, do some slightly newer ones have manual adjusting setting on the back ?

no one posts pics of the back of flashes lol, there are loads for under £5 on ebay, two of these and some £20 triggers could be very fun for tent work, and even portrait if i can get them set up right.

also i guess tilt head isn't too important once the flash is off body >?
 
most of the really cheap stuff won't be adjustable, anything that is will get snapped (pardon the pun) up by Strobists
 
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