I'm looking at picking up some radio triggers to fire my flashes remotely. Whilst the CLS system works great indoors in smaller rooms I need something with more range and reliability when outside.
I realise that this is probably a general gear discussion, but as a Nikon user I need triggers for my Nikon gear and have come to value many of my fellow Nikon users opinions already.
My criteria would be getting the most reliable performance at a good value for money price point. Pocket Wizard are usually the first that come to mind but they are also very expensive. Cyber Sync also come to mind and I have read that they are very reliable, have good range and also seem to be much better value than Pocket Wizards.
So what system are you guys and gals using, how do you get on with it, and how do you rate it for VFM?
Personally I use the yongnuo triggers for all my off camera flashes and have no complaints. Does everything I need them to and use them with both studio and battery flashes.
Having Nikon and PCB strobes I settled on the Radio Popper JrX since do not need TTL control. The JrX system works to provide remote power level controls of the Nikon TTL flashes with the RPCube and the PCB's remote jack. Note that on flashes not supporting TTL like the SB-900 (it only supports iTTL) you will not have the remote power level capability. On the plus side you can use old Nikon TTL strobes such as the SB-24, 25, 26, etc with full manual wireless remote power control.
I've got 6 pocket wizards at my corporate studio gig, including the new TT-5 xmitter on camera. I've got Cybersyncs that I use in my home studio and home portrait sessions. To be 100% honest, I like the cybersyncs as well/better than the PW's. I've never had a miss fire with the CS's, the xmitter is smaller and they're cheap enough that you can buy 3 of them for the price of one PW, allowing you to have more of them.
I used cybersyncs for a while, but found the sync cord connection to the flash to be a weak point - causing occasional mis-fires. I didn't like the idea of having the trigger just dangling from the flash, and the alternative, velcroing them to the sides of the flashes, didn't appeal much either.
I'm currently using Cactus V5s, which have a hotshoe on top, solving both the sync cord and mounting issues. Additionally, every unit is a tranceiver (can be set to either transmit or receive) so a dead battery in your transmitter need not bring down the whole system. They also make for a handy wireless shutter release with an optional $10 cable. They seem reliable, however I have had the very occasional misfire, and sometimes see banding at 1/250. Their major limitation seems to be lack of TTL and CLS integration.
If I was to change systems again, it would be to the new CLS-compatible pocketwizards, however this would require a significant outlay and I'm still weighing the costs vs benefits of making that transition.
I started off with Radio Popper JrX Studio, which were extremely reliable (although I see many reports to the contrary), and offered remote power control. While the remote power control was essential for me, it was rather low in resolution. I switched to the Cyber Commander when I upgraded my lights to Einsteins, and couldn't be happier. On-camera power control in 1/10 F-stop steps, over as many channels/groups as you'd ever need, is brilliant for anyone that is rather discriminating about their lighting setups.
Both systems were dead-on reliable (for me), and the JrX never failed out to several hundred feet, but I haven't pushed the distance limit of the Cybersync system yet.
Ditto the Chris Court comments on Cactus V5. Units are powered by AAA batteries. Flip the switch and the transmitter becomes a receiver. Frequency slection will let you fire a series of lights, or independently. I use them to fire SB-800 and Alien Bee strobes.
I am using the Radiopopper PX system.
It's totally transparent in the sense that I am using my SU800 as a commander to control all the flashes.
I retain my high speed sync. (over 1/250)
I don't know if all the other options mentioned here support high speed sync...
I mostly shoot the flash on manual but can also use TTL if I choose.
The range is also fantastic.
The only issues for my is the crappy rechargeable CR123 batteries crapping out on me in the SU800 suddenly.
My wish list is for flash manufacturers to have a battery remaining indicator built in!
Ebay sourced Yougnuos when I don't want / need remote power control. Cheap, simple, small, reliable, has hot shoe mount.
Radiopoppers P1 when I want remote power control. A little more fussy to use (needing gaffer tape etc), and I hate the battery changes that require screwdrivers to change. Otherwise reliable.
Im a little late to the discussion and not sure if you made your choice yet but I will chime in. Over the past two years I have owned
Cyber syncs (still Own them)
Radio Poppers (Just Sold)
PW TT5s (Just Purchased)
I think unless something changes I am keeping the PW's and the CS's
Im going to keep the CS's for my indoor studio work with my AB's. I like the cyber commander and it allows me to individually control more lights individually then the PW Flex system does. Sp for indoor work with my AB's CS gets the nod.
For outdoor work AB's or any time I use my Nikon flashes PW Flex system gets the nod. For the Nikon Flashes I like the option of TTL or Manual control from my camera. (Cant do that with the CS's).
I just did my first two shoots with the PW system and I had very good range. I was doing full body portraits with a 300mm 2.8 and never had an issue with misfires.
For outdoor use with AB's the ability to use Hyper Sync opens up a lot of options. On my D700 and D7000 I was able to get over 1/5000 of a second with no shadow from the shutter curtain. On the D300 I could go to 1/1250 of a second. Pretty cool if you are trying to over power the sun and still have your aperture wide open.
The last reason for sticking with PW's is the ease of updating firm ware. As PW makes tweaks and improvements you just plug them into your computer and update them.
As for the Radio Poppers the number 1 reason I sold them was the mounting system. I tend to be pretty mobile outside and was having issues with the mounts. This my just have been me as others say the mounts work great I just had bad luck with them.
As far as operation the radio poppers worked great. They are almost invisible as you use your normal flash controls in camera or off a master flash. Nothing new to learn.
Hope this helps. Sorry if its confusing. Please feel free to contact me if you would like more info or have other questions
I've been using CyberSyncs outdoors and get 150 yard range from them. I can double that in relay mode. They have never misfired, even when temperature went to 32 below zero. I shoot at night, mostly during winter here in the Dakotas. I light up trains. CyberSyncs are tough! At temps below zero (F), the CyberSyncs are a bit more reliable than the Pocket Wizard pair I also have.
Pretty cool that I stumbled on this thread. I've lurked on the FM site for years and only just registered. I think this may be my first post. But to the subject....
I've used Nikon CLS and flash units mixed with some used manual units for years. CLS rarely causes an issue for me but the distances are small. The other 2-3 manual units fire via optical slaves. But I have decided to upgrade to a couple of Einsteins most likely yet still keep and use my CLS set up. Along with the new units I want some radio triggering and if I can adjust power all the better. The Cybersync system will be a for sure purchase with my PCB strobes. But I'd like to also go radio on the other flashes so I am looking at the PW CL triggers....but I have also heard the Phottix Odin for Nikon just entered final testing and the Stratos II triggers are of interest. They will be back ward compatible, it's said, with the Odin which would give me power control and allow me to use Stratos II units if I buy a few of them for my manual shoe mount flashes.
I think you will be seeing more TTL type aftermarket units this year. It's the direction. Price wise the Odin though is close to the PW TTL devices and I don't know about high speed sync which is important. I'm still debating things but discussions like these really help. Thanks.
That's the joy of this forum. I've picked up so many great purchase ideas. Even better is the best and worst purchase thread though. I have 4 things on my wish list because of that thread!
