Wireless TTL triggers

PeteMo

PeteMo

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I'm after giving some wireless TTL triggers a go after using manual triggers only.

Without spending a small fortune of Pocket Wizards, does anyone have any recommendations for some budget alternatives based on actual use ?

There's a handful out there - Hahnel Tuff, Pixel King, Yongnuo YN622N's, Phottix Strato etc.

Ideally don't wan to spend more than £100 at the minute.

Anu suggestions welcome :thumbs:
 
Ive heard good things about the Pixel Kings, but I've not used them myself.

Tried the PW flex TTL on my 5d and found them to be remarkably unreliable, had to plug one back into a laptop and redo the settings mid use and fiddle about with the buttons to learn the camera. Hardly confidence inspiring on a shoot.
 
digitalfailure said:
Ive heard good things about the Pixel Kings, but I've not used them myself. Tried the PW flex TTL on my 5d and found them to be remarkably unreliable, had to plug one back into a laptop and redo the settings mid use and fiddle about with the buttons to learn the camera. Hardly confidence inspiring on a shoot.
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I had no end of issues with Pixel Kings. They were inconsistent and the final straw was when one wielded itself to my camera needing a hacksaw to remove it.

The pw flex system has been brilliant if expensive, although from things I've heard I think that's true of the Nikon version though sadly not the canon ones
 
I've never had a problem with the Canon Flex system if like you say a tad pricey but they've added features over time on the firmware.
 
I have the YN-622n's. For the price i can't fault them.

My only minor niggle is that you have to use some combination button presses to adjust the settings since the Nikon doesn't have the ability to control the flash from the menu and I don't have a flash with master mode.

That said, Yongnuo are supposed to be bringing out a dedicated master unit that can go on top of the 622 so that shouldn't be an issue for much longer.

At the end of the day I chose the 622's because of two reasons: Firstly price and secondly I have Yongnuo flashes that may not be compatible with other TTL systems.

That said my Metz works a treat with the 622's.
 
I'm not a Nikon user, I had the PW Flex's for a few years and found them unreliable I've just got the YN622s and they're unflappable. I can't wait for the new programmable master that's promised, as the weak link ATM is the Canon menu system to adjust the power.
 
Phil V said:
I'm not a Nikon user, I had the PW Flex's for a few years and found them unreliable I've just got the YN622s and they're unflappable. I can't wait for the new programmable master that's promised, as the weak link ATM is the Canon menu system to adjust the power.
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Yeah that bugs me too about them Phil, but as you said they are great apart from that one niggle.

I picked mine up on ebay for half the price of Amazon too which made them a real bargin :thumbs:
 
ding76uk said:
My curiosity will be peaked when they release the controller, perhaps enough to invest in a set.

I have found the PW's to be OK, but the interference is a pain in the rear (I have US frequency). The PW do work with the 430ex though unlike the YN.
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In what way are the PWs working with the 430 that is better than the YNs?
 
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Phil V said:
In what way are the PWs working with the 430 that is better than the YNs?
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You can fully control a 430ex (original) with the PW but you can't with the YN. The downside is there is huge interference with the 430ex that makes it unusable, the 580exII is bad enough. I have thought about some of those socks that PW make but I don't like the idea of putting my flash in a sock.
 
ding76uk said:
You can fully control a 430ex (original) with the PW but you can't with the YN. The downside is there is huge interference with the 430ex that makes it unusable, the 580exII is bad enough. I have thought about some of those socks that PW make but I don't like the idea of putting my flash in a sock.
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I am assuming the interference you refer to is restricted to the US Frequency type PW's you have - I have a set of UK PW's (FlexTT1/TT5) and so far have not noticed (with my basic and limited use) any issues with the 430EX flashgun or any others.
 
lostsoulal2 said:
I am assuming the interference you refer to is restricted to the US Frequency type PW's you have - I have a set of UK PW's (FlexTT1/TT5) and so far have not noticed (with my basic and limited use) any issues with the 430EX flashgun or any others.
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That would be because its only the US frequency triggers that cause the problem. :)
 
DemiLion said:
That would be because its only the US frequency triggers that cause the problem. :)
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UK versions are said to be less affected, but they're certainly not immune.
 
HoppyUK said:
UK versions are said to be less affected, but they're certainly not immune.
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A bit of a generalised and sweeping statement, but there does seem to be "some issues" that "some people" will pick up on for "some" triggers [/ equipment] - but I shall sleep easy tonight as I am fortunate in that I don't currently experience repeated issues, probably as I said above, resulting from my limited use. :lol:
 
lostsoulal2 said:
A bit of a generalised and sweeping statement, but there does seem to be "some issues" that "some people" will pick up on for "some" triggers [/ equipment] - but I shall sleep easy tonight as I am fortunate in that I don't currently experience repeated issues, probably as I said above, resulting from my limited use. :lol:
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There are issues with the EU frequency versions too. That's not a generalised or sweeping statement, and common knowledge.

I have tested it with three different Canon guns, and the RF problem is real and follows the US pattern, but they work reliably at the kind of distances most people will use them at.

I don't know of any published data showing US and EU versions tested side by side.
 
I've got a set of the Pixel Kings and have had no problems. Only thing I'd like is the option to also have a flash on top of the camera but the hot shoe on the pixel kings is not pass-through. I've seen something about the new pixel king pro's which apparently address this.
 
ding76uk said:
You can fully control a 430ex (original) with the PW but you can't with the YN. The downside is there is huge interference with the 430ex that makes it unusable, the 580exII is bad enough. I have thought about some of those socks that PW make but I don't like the idea of putting my flash in a sock.
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You can fully control it with the YN622c too, the only things you can't control are features the flash doesn't have as far as I can see, what is it specifically you think you'll miss?
 
ding76uk said:
I thought I read you can't control it through the YN? I am talking mk1 not mk2
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It won't control the power Manually. But it'll fire it and control the TTL power.


It does appear the PW's will set the Manual power though (I don't have a 430ex)

So the PW's do have an advantage over the YN's for you (You'll have to buy a sock then or a cheap YN flash that'll allow remote manual control).
 
Phil V said:
It won't control the power Manually. But it'll fire it and control the TTL power. It does appear the PW's will set the Manual power though (I don't have a 430ex) So the PW's do have an advantage over the YN's for you (You'll have to buy a sock then or a cheap YN flash that'll allow remote manual control).
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I do like to work in manual a lot of the time. Think I'll buy the socks but if the YN controller is as good as it looks I might invest and sell on the PW using the cash to invest in another 580ex2
 
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