I recently started to to venture into the off-camera lighting world with Canon Speedlites.
Initially, against many people's advice from veterans on here and elsewhere (yes, Sean, you were right on this), I purchased a 2 sets of Cactus V5 triggers (4 receivers/transceivers total) for $140 bucks total. Not a bad price at all compared to a set of (4) PocketWizards FlexTT5 with a hotshoe ($230 retail x 4 = $920). I figured, if one stopped working, I would just buy a new one for how cheap they are.
I went out on a paid shoot at an event and spent literally half day fumbling around with them since they misfired due to heat on a 95f day. Everytime, I shot through the viewfinder, I had to ask my assistant if they fired up. It wasn't just an issue with one trigger but all four. Worst, by noon, they refuse to power up in the heat but they work fine flawless at home or dusk when its cool 200 feet away.
Needless to say, after corresponding back and forth with the manufacturer, they considered the units defective and offered to send out a replacement if I send my sets back to Hong Kong. I didn't want to risk it and said, "No thanks", and sent it back for a refund for $20 International First Class Mail. In the end, it costed me almost $40 + misery and headache.
So after this whole debacle, I went out to look for a different set. Here are some of the options that I considered
(a) AlienBee CyberSync -
Pros: Bulletproof reliability. Reasonably Priced. Reputable Brand. Holds Value
Cons: Does not use a hotshoe. I do mainly photojournalism so Having a hotshoe on both the transceivers and receivers is important to me because I do use an on-camera flash a lot too. So the ability to throw have an ETTL flash on my camera is pretty important. And most of my older Speedlights do not have a PC Sync port so just sliding a flash onto the hotshoe of the receiver is a major convenience for me.
(a) Pocket Wizard Plus II -
Pros: Bulletproof reliability. Reasonably Priced. Reputable Brand. Holds Value
Pros: Reasonably Priced. Transceiver's Hotshoe Passes ETTL information and Receivers have Hot Shoes. Some say they are built better than Pocket Wizards. Backwards & Forward Compatibility w/ Older & New Models. Upcoming Model will have ETTL and High Speed Sync.
Cons: Unknown Long Term Reliability.
(d) PocketWizard FlexTT5 -
Pros: Pocketwizard brand is the gold standard. Excellent Resell Value. Has all the high-tech features that no other company has yet
Cons: Extremely Expensive. Polarizing reviews.
At this point, I think I am going to bit the bullet and go with PocketWizard TT5 but some of the terrible reviews on BH are very concerning. If they are that bad, its probably no better than the other options. The Speedlites that I have in my bag is the older 430ex and 540ez non-ETTL. Not sure if there will range and interference issues with those
Pros: Pocketwizard brand is the gold standard. Excellent Resell Value. Has all the high-tech features that no other company has yet...
is the reason why...
Cons: Extremely Expensive. Polarizing reviews.
The Speedlites that I have in my bag is the older 430ex and 540ez non-ETTL...
Are the reviews on B&H based on the equipment you have? There will always be a bad review of a product by one person or another, everyone uses different equipment with different cables with different cameras in different situations with different experience.
Find out what is best for your the equipment you plan on using, consider the future.
Cons:Does not use a hotshoe. I do mainly photojournalism so Having a hotshoe on both the transceivers and receivers is important to me because I do use an on-camera flash a lot too. So the ability to throw have an ETTL flash on my camera is pretty important. And most of my older Speedlights do not have a PC Sync port so just sliding a flash onto the hotshoe of the receiver is a major convenience for me.
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The Speedlites that I have in my bag is the older 430ex and 540ez non-ETTL. Not sure if there will range and interference issues with those ...Show more →
If your remote flash is non-ETTL then the hotshoe fitting on the TT5 is pointless as this won't work. You will still need to use a PC cable between the flash and the TT5. Alternatively, a cable to hotshoe adapter to use with the hotshoe equipped TT5. Other hotshoe based receivers will work via the hotshoe OK.
For what it's worth, I've tried the TT5 a few times and had issues every time. I've known 3 people who used them and all three ditched them cause they've had reliability/communication issues. I'm sure there are some people who are getting them to work properly (there must be... they sell), but I've never seen them in working condition.
If you just need dumb triggers, Pocket Wizards (standard Plus II or Multimaxes) work great of course, but I've had great, reliable experience with these suckers for a couple years now. Cheap and work great. In regards to heat issues... I'm from Arizona and they pass my 115 degree summer heat test just fine.
ukphotographer wrote:
If your remote flash is non-ETTL then the hotshoe fitting on the TT5 is pointless as this won't work. You will still need to use a PC cable between the flash and the TT5. Alternatively, a cable to hotshoe adapter to use with the hotshoe equipped TT5. Other hotshoe based receivers will work via the hotshoe OK.
Wow, after, want this set for the longest, I didn't know this. I thought it would work like the cheap China ones like Cactus and Yonguo but I am wrong. Worst part is I just won a set earlier on eBay too for $180 each. =(
Jerry Truong wrote:
Wow, after, want this set for the longest, I didn't know this. I thought it would work like the cheap China ones like Cactus and Yonguo but I am wrong.
I bought a set of Nikon versions expecting at least, just to use them as Manual triggers, but couldn't. Only 'compatible' flashes work fitted to the hotshoe, others need a cable as mentioned.
I know you were likely not planning on getting another flash right now, but if you could find a used Canon 550EX or 580EX or 430EX, or a new or used 430EXII, any of those should combine well with your 430EX and the PocketWizard Flex units you won on auction. The 430EXII is especially good as far as not having range issues. The newest firmware combined with selecting the best channels should give you a nice setup with the Flex units, and you will likely not have any range problems unless you want over 100 feet. Avoid the 580EXII, because it has the worst range issues. But also remember that what ever model of flash you put on top of the Flex on your camera can be any ETTL model, because the interference issue does not apply to the flash on the transmitter, only on flashes mounted with the recieving units.
I have had good luck with the PocketWizard Flex units and Canon 580EX flashes, and like the freedom to go between ETTL and Manual depending on what I am shooting. I have good reliability and never have had a range issue, but do not do over about 75 feet. There is a learning curve to using them, but once you are there they work well. Be sure to upgrade them to the latest firmware when you get them. Also, check out the capabilities of the AC3 controler unit, which you may want to consider in the future, especially if you end up with a total of 3 or more Flex units.
If you have original 580 ex's, then flashzebra sells a replacement foot with a 1/8 jack for alienbees receivers. The great part is that you can also get a a cable with 1/8 and a CSRT transmitter cable as well - which means with a little tab of velcro you can have a 580 on camera and trigger off-camera flashes as well in a compact form. The only drawback is that you can't remotely control power, but in general it is very reliable and compact solution.
I also got a set of radiopopper JRx's to try out, and they seem to work fairly well but there's no good way to have on-camera flash and off-camera at the same time. The good part is the ability to control power remotely, but I am just not sold on them in a pinch.
The PW's look pretty enticing, but their reliability concerns me as well - at least in canon mount. With a 580 classic in the hotshoe you can't modify the power of remotes, and PW themselves point out the issue with 580ex2"s burning out if you use high-speed sync. In either case, they also have RF interference issues that limits range (unless you put a sock on them). It would cost me $1k to replace my alienbee triggers, and I expect more when I spend that kind of money.
Radiopoppers. All the way. Absolute rock solid performance in dry, humid, hot cold, and incredible distance. Came from PW TTL and the older versions, and never had as much luck. The TT5 and its kin are an absolute over priced item. Try pocket wizard and you won't have a reason to go back. Besides, look at their prices.
There are some different opinions on the PW Flex system. One, I believe everyone agrees on is the cost; expensive.
The main knock for Canon users is the range and reliability. This stems from RFI generated by some Canon flashes. PW has built shields for the flash unit in an attempt to correct the problem. YMMV
The biggest hit for Nikon users is the poor performance of hyper-sync. It has not delivered the performance increase for Nikon as it did for Canon users. One of the reasons was simply the Nikon system made better use of flash timing to begin with, so there wasn't really much room for improvement. There were also some bugs with reguard to Image Stabilized lenses and the D3x (and others) recording bit depth.
As a Nikon user, I like the system and use it often.
Just want to comment on the statement earlier from timbop "but there's no good way to have on-camera flash and off-camera at the same time". I use the PC sync out on the camera to trigger the jrx transmitter and use on camera for fill. Just had to diy a little bracket to mount the transmitter.
Jrx are amazing in that you can remotely adjust power and very reliable. If you don't need ttl they are a very good option.
mill4570 wrote:
The biggest hit for Nikon users is the poor performance of hyper-sync. It has not delivered the performance increase for Nikon as it did for Canon users.
I think the Hypersync alone works OK, but is restricted by PW's own cap on the max shutter speed which can be set for this to trip over to HSS when things start to go wobbly. It adjusts the triggerpoint well enough, (for remotes) but being only able to hypersync to 1/500s when 1/800s is possible is a misplaced restriction.
It's the HSS benefit which is lacking in comparison to (allegedly.. still no comparisons!!) the Canon system, as well as the Canon system getting control of Channel A via optical - as well. In regard to the Canon benefits of using PW's in HSS, has anybody seen ANY comparisons of 'this is Canon HSS and this is PW HSS' variety anywhere?
Correct me if I'm wrong.. the TT1 which controls the Hypersync and HSS settings couldn't adjust the Hypersync timings for a flash sat in it's hotshoe on camera, or connected to a TTL cable last time I tried! Is this still the case?
And the 14 bit problem? That still seems to be an issue for some.
And the VR problem? And focus shifting?
For somebody wanting to buy (now having bought) these triggers there are quite a few workarounds and pitfalls to avoid or be aware of, and unlike being able to set a camera to Manual to avoid any issues there is no such safe operation mode here to fall back on.
pagres wrote:
Just want to comment on the statement earlier from timbop "but there's no good way to have on-camera flash and off-camera at the same time". I use the PC sync out on the camera to trigger the jrx transmitter and use on camera for fill. Just had to diy a little bracket to mount the transmitter.
Jrx are amazing in that you can remotely adjust power and very reliable. If you don't need ttl they are a very good option.
and get the cube and you've got on camera and off.
patrickphoto wrote:
and get the cube and you've got on camera and off.
Sure, with a custom bracket that is true you have a place to mount it. However, that is just one more thing hanging off of you - in addition to everything else. I use blackrapid straps, and that is touch on dangling pieces. The other problem I had in testing that solution is that the sync wasn't quite right close to the x-sync speed. At least, that's what I found with my 5d2. YMMV, but that's just not a clean solution IMHO
Sure, with a custom bracket that is true you have a place to mount it. However, that is just one more thing hanging off of you - in addition to everything else. I use blackrapid straps, and that is touch on dangling pieces. The other problem I had in testing that solution is that the sync wasn't quite right close to the x-sync speed. At least, that's what I found with my 5d2. YMMV, but that's just not a clean solution IMHO
Dude. Short sync cord + velcro to on camera flash. Brackets are a pain.
mikethevilla wrote:
Dude. Short sync cord + velcro to on camera flash. Brackets are a pain.
And when it is swinging off your right hip (I use a blackrapid strap), the sync cord catches all the time? When I first got my AB triggers I did that, and the sync cord kept getting knocked. It wasn't a good solution FOR ME and I got the flashzebra feet with the 1/8 jack built-in. Now the AB trigger attaches to the flash with a short cord and I'm good, except the need for power control on the remotes.
Jerry Truong wrote:
Wow, after, want this set for the longest, I didn't know this. I thought it would work like the cheap China ones like Cactus and Yonguo but I am wrong. Worst part is I just won a set earlier on eBay too for $180 each. =(
I just took a look at the firmware settings on the FlexTT5, in particular, the setting called "basic trigger mode". The basic trigger mode says it allows the use of the FlexTT5 on cameras that do not have the ETTL contacts on the hotshoe.
I haven't tried this out, but it would seem that if you can use the flextt5 on a non canon or nikon camera in basic trigger mode, then the flextt5 should also be able to trigger a basic flash, as it is not relaying any ettl data.
This isn't something I'll be experimenting with, so please let us know what you figure out.
kdlanejr wrote:
I just took a look at the firmware settings on the FlexTT5, in particular, the setting called "basic trigger mode". The basic trigger mode says it allows the use of the FlexTT5 on cameras that do not have the ETTL contacts on the hotshoe.
I haven't tried this out, but it would seem that if you can use the flextt5 on a non canon or nikon camera in basic trigger mode, then the flextt5 should also be able to trigger a basic flash, as it is not relaying any ettl data.
This isn't something I'll be experimenting with, so please let us know what you figure out.
Yeah, 'Basic Trigger Mode' - simple triggering - sounds feasible. I already tried it 6 months ago.. doesn't work.
Doesn't work with any non-TTL or unsupported flash in the hotshoe. Like 6 months ago, I think the only solution now is to trigger your non-TTL (unsupported) flash using a PC cable or a 'plug to hotshoe' adapter. The TT5 might have a hotshoe, just don't expect it to trigger a flash using that hotshoe.
Doesn't work with any non-TTL or unsupported flash in the hotshoe. Like 6 months ago, I think the only solution now is to trigger your non-TTL (unsupported) flash using a PC cable or a 'plug to hotshoe' adapter. The TT5 might have a hotshoe, just don't expect it to trigger a flash using that hotshoe.
"Auto Trigger Select for ControlTL: The hot shoe on both the MiniTT1 and Flex TT5 will trigger just about any hot shoe flash placed into it in addition to the Canon Speedlite’s it is designed for. Yes, you can now fire just about any hot shoe flash including Vivatar, Nikon, etc., in manual mode only and not TTL mode. (max trigger voltage < 50V, use P2 port for up to 200V)"
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