deepbluejh wrote:
...PW's lack of testing and R&D with these triggers on Canon flashes is inexcusable. I don't use the triggers and have no plans to buy them, but this product as greatly tarnished PocketWizard's brand.
How can you say "lack of testing and R&D" That would have to apply to EVERY manufacturer out there. Recalls happen all the time and messy starts happen all of the time.
I was an early purchaser of the ControlTL system for Canon. After a few months of problems I sold them because I hated what was going on (or not). After keeping up with their blog and FB page to see their progress is correcting issues I repurchased a set. That was more than a year ago and they work GREAT.
I'm not knocking any product one way or the other, but "lack of...." is a bit harsh. With their reputation I'm sure they did plenty of testing.
Ummmm, PocketWizard is THE golden standard... Yes, their flex system blows on canon but that's because of the Canon flashes' high levels of interference. With Nikon flashes it is rock solid I've been using it for over a year now and I had used the canon version for over a year as well and there is no comparison.
No offence meant.
I just thought it was strange that you recommend buying a system such as the pw flex over the Canon. Why would you prefer that system?
How can you say "lack of testing and R&D"
"Compatible with Canon" Pocket Wizard.
I had access to (through the person I was seconding at the time) one of the first early sets on the UK frequency and was asked for our opinion on the triggers.
It was blatantly obvious that they were not fit for market. You do not want to read what he wrote back to them.
I just thought it was strange that you recommend buying a system such as the pw flex over the Canon. Why would you prefer that system?
Range? Compatibility with Elinchrom, PCB etc flashes? Zone controllers really simple quick dials?
Not going to say the PW solution is better than the Canon one, they're just different. I'd sure as hell like to get my hands on a Nikon version to test out!
deepbluejh wrote:
Not to derail the thread here, but PW's lack of testing and R&D with these triggers on Canon flashes is inexcusable. I don't use the triggers and have no plans to buy them, but this product as greatly tarnished PocketWizard's brand.
Problem is, can use a specific range of the broadband spectrum... and Canon's most recent flashes interfere with it. It's not really PW's problem to fix, it's Canon's. (And perhaps Canon doesn't want to address it so they can have their own triggers, mm?)
ai3x wrote:
Range? Compatibility with Elinchrom, PCB etc flashes? Zone controllers really simple quick dials?
Not going to say the PW solution is better than the Canon one, they're just different. I'd sure as hell like to get my hands on a Nikon version to test out!
Bro, it's amazing. Rock solid works every time, and using SB900's and SB910's it's soooo nice to have full control of every flash or use TTL if I want with different ratios per flash. Or I can use the zone controller with dials if I don't need focus assist. Sooooo nice.
TTLKurtis wrote:
Problem is, can use a specific range of the broadband spectrum... and Canon's most recent flashes interfere with it. It's not really PW's problem to fix, it's Canon's. (And perhaps Canon doesn't want to address it so they can have their own triggers, mm?)
Actually I think you have it backwards. The only thing Canon *has* to do is make the flashes fully compatible with the EOS system - past, present, and future. They are in no way whatsoever responsible for making flashes that will be compatible with any third party accessory.
I suspect the RF interference with the 580EXII flashes was overlooked during the design process because it did not cause any issue with Canon equipment. Sure, I guess it would be ideal if there were no RF noise, but so long as it didn't effect their gear it didn't matter to them. Keep in mind the PW Flexes didn't even exist during this time so any conspiracy theories to sabotage the competition don't hold water.
Now... as for PW, they have a duty to make sure their products are compatible with the flashes they claim they are compatible with. The way they put these triggers out to market, you would think they didn't test them at all with Canon flashes. The first triggers were struggling to get 30-40 feet of range. Now if this were some obscure bug, they might be forgiven, but testing *range* of all things with a wireless trigger is pretty fundamental.
It's also worth noting that no other trigger to my knowledge has any trouble with the 580EXII flash. Not radiopopper, no Phottix, nor any of the manual triggers.
deepbluejh wrote:
Actually I think you have it backwards. The only thing Canon *has* to do is make the flashes fully compatible with the EOS system - past, present, and future. They are in no way whatsoever responsible for making flashes that will be compatible with any third party accessory.
I suspect the RF interference with the 580EXII flashes was overlooked during the design process because it did not cause any issue with Canon equipment. Sure, I guess it would be ideal if there were no RF noise, but so long as it didn't effect their gear it didn't matter to them. Keep in mind the PW Flexes didn't even exist during this time so any conspiracy theories to sabotage the competition don't hold water.
Now... as for PW, they have a duty to make sure their products are compatible with the flashes they claim they are compatible with. The way they put these triggers out to market, you would think they didn't test them at all with Canon flashes. The first triggers were struggling to get 30-40 feet of range. Now if this were some obscure bug, they might be forgiven, but testing *range* of all things with a wireless trigger is pretty fundamental.
It's also worth noting that no other trigger to my knowledge has any trouble with the 580EXII flash. Not radiopopper, no Phottix, nor any of the manual triggers. ...Show more →
Yep, pocket wizard was stupid for releasing a system that dosnt work with our flashes, and then expect us to put a stupid condom over it!
Typical. I use PW Flex & MiniTT1 all the time during weddings. Maybe one shot in fifty is off, just like it is with on-camera flash (Canon). Might be the different frequencies they use in the European model.
Nice to see you can now get an all-in-one solution though. Hadn't I had three 580II's and a complete PW system I'd definitely buy into it.
I just got two of these today and I have to say...they are worth the money...I still
shoot with a 5d mark2 and these are giving me some amazing exposures in ttl mode.
I set the slave and master on ttl...hispeed sync. put the slave in an umbrella and started shooting portraits with a perfect 2 to one ratio this is using the master with a bounce card as fill. The high speed sync works
well also...I was able to get very good results even at 1/2000 sec..as long as you
have your key light fairly close to subject. Its great dialing in your exposure right
from the camera with a quick turn of a dial.
I do have one question.....I tried using AB ratio mode...but it doesn't seem to do
anything that I can see...maybe this is one of the limitations on the Mark 2....looks
like I might have to spring for a mark 3 soon.
echelonphoto wrote:
I just got two of these today and I have to say...they are worth the money...I still
shoot with a 5d mark2 and these are giving me some amazing exposures in ttl mode.
I set the slave and master on ttl...hispeed sync. put the slave in an umbrella and started shooting portraits with a perfect 2 to one ratio this is using the master with a bounce card as fill. The high speed sync works
well also...I was able to get very good results even at 1/2000 sec..as long as you
have your key light fairly close to subject. Its great dialing in your exposure right
from the camera with a quick turn of a dial.
I do have one question.....I tried using AB ratio mode...but it doesn't seem to do
anything that I can see...maybe this is one of the limitations on the Mark 2....looks
like I might have to spring for a mark 3 soon....Show more →
Sounds very cool & thanks for the info. I don't know how long it will be before I get the 5d3 but it's nice to know they work with well with your current body. I read some info about sync problems with cameras that are not 5d3's. Have you seen any issue's with syncing at 1/200 ?
Hey Tony, after a few months now, whats life like shooting with the 600ex and the ST-e3-rt, regretting the move from the simple dial RP Jrx's?
I am about to make that same transition from Jrx's to the 600's and am questioning the move from RP dials to Canons menus.
anthonyket wrote:
Hey Tony, after a few months now, whats life like shooting with the 600ex and the ST-e3-rt, regretting the move from the simple dial RP Jrx's?
I am about to make that same transition from Jrx's to the 600's and am questioning the move from RP dials to Canons menus.
Well I don't think I would ever have described the JrX's as 'simple'... Haha. I had been using Cybersyncs for a long time since using RPs. But to answer your question, yes I'm still very happy. There's some very minor inconveniences, but overall they're pretty awesome!
After just playing around for a few minutes, there is one comment I have to make. I actually find the gel holder to be much more useful than I was expecting. I have not used it in the field yet, but I am going to have a go with them before I break out the velcro
That would have to apply to EVERY manufacturer out there. Recalls happen all the time and messy starts happen all of the time.