Remote flash what do you use (cables/Pocket Wizards/cheap triggers)??

GSXRMovistar

GSXRMovistar

GSXRMovistar

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This year I’d really like to start getting my head around making use of flash photography, I have a couple of decent speedlites (580 and 430) and getting them working in tandem would be idea.

I have a hot shoe sync cord to attach the 580 which can control the 430 remotely but it can be fairly cumbersome at times. Last year I did a session where I had the use of a set of pocket wizards and thought they were fantastic (if not cheap).

This was taken with that setup:-


Urban Chloe 05 by AndyBakerUK, on Flickr

So now considering alternatives but don’t know where to start, so what does everyone here use and why?

Cheers
Andy
 
I use a set of Mini TT1 with AC3 and Flex TT5's with 430exii's...

Awesome system if used with only 430exii or 550ex, 580's and the original 430 suffers from extremely short range, and the 580exii more worryingly die's quite often on FlexTT5's.

The AC3 is a really great add-on though as you can control all of the power setting right from your camera, which in some circumstances is the difference between getting 'the shot' or not.

PW's are expensive, but if you have the right setup they are 'currently' worth it.
PW may have competition in the coming couple of months from Phottix's Helios.

I was using the AC3 system when taking the below shot last night, I was able to change my flash exposure without having to get up and go and manually adjust the flash, in this instance it meant I was able to change exposure while keeping the subjects attention.

Apple.jpg
 
having two children, i took the cheapy route. two yn460ii's and rf602 wireless. usual stands and umbrellas. its my first delve into off camera flash and its plenty good enough for now - the wireless hasnt let me down yet

365_day34_by_lewiscarrington-d38pxor.jpg
 
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clintham said:
having two children, i took the cheapy route. two yn460ii's and rf602 wireless. usual stands and umbrellas. its my first delve into off camera flash and its plenty good enough for now - the wireless hasnt let me down yet
Click to expand...

I'm using RF602 triggers (and a YN560 flash in addition to SB900s) too and I'm yet to have a misfire - for non-pro use I think you'd have to be crazy to buy anything dearer.
 
GSXRMovistar said:
My 580 is the exII and I've read about these compatibility issues, shame as the Mini PWs look great. :(
Click to expand...

I sold my 580exii just to get these triggers, I must say that I'm very happy with the 430exii's, they are quite a bit smaller and are within 1/2 stop difference in terms or power (Canon under-reported their specs).
The only thing is, you lose the high voltage port though, but Nizn aa batteries would solve that issue.
 
I've got a 430exII and have ordered some Yongnuo CTR-301P wireless triggers from the bay. Would have loved some pocket wizards but at £25 for controller & two triggers, these are a bit more affordable! No TTL metering so manual flash settings only, but they're meant to be reliable. Should get here from HK in the next couple of days.

My dad also just dug out some old flashes from his Pentax ME Super - so I've now got a Pentax AF160 and Sunpak auto 114 for fill, together with a light sensing remote trigger.
 
Pocketwizards, mine are a bit older from when there were less other options. Wouldn't buy anything else if I was getting some today though, then I am a fan of just buying the best first time round rather than wasting money and time upgrading later so I would say that. That said, when I've been tight for space travelling I've ditched the triggers and just used the speedlights with CLS, pre-flashes are a pain but it's functional enough.
 
^^^
Kind of outdated, these days triggers like Phottix Strato's are better than the older Pw's in most areas.

The new TT1's & TT5's are awesome in very specific setups due to the features they support, but they have generally been plagued with issue upon issue, most of them very serious issues, to the extent it has greatly affected pocket wizards reputation, and why on earth they haven't supported 2.4ghz radio channels yet is beyond me.
 
To be honest, if they'd been out of their case more than half a dozen times in the last year I'd think about replacing them, I find on camera or a sync cable suits my work better in general at the moment. When I do use them they work just fine though for me so no need to splash out right now (and eventually Nikon will surely upgrade CLS to use radio rather than optical signalling, at which point i'll buy that in a heartbeat - less kit = better).
 
bigredshark said:
Pocketwizards, mine are a bit older from when there were less other options. Wouldn't buy anything else if I was getting some today though, then I am a fan of just buying the best first time round rather than wasting money and time upgrading later so I would say that. That said, when I've been tight for space travelling I've ditched the triggers and just used the speedlights with CLS, pre-flashes are a pain but it's functional enough.
Click to expand...

That's my thinking too, But i got the cheap triggers because i don't use flash that much and £40 for 2 receivers and a trigger is a drop in the ocean in comparison to the rest of the kit. Where £500 for the same thing from pocket wizard is a bit much.

However, should i get into this flash thing in a big way, i will get something like them, but without the "killer" aspect that kills my 580ii.
 
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