Cactus V2s Wireless Flash Trigger Review, score 7 of 10!

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Archive 2008 · Cactus V2s Wireless Flash Trigger Review, score 7 of 10!

lextalionis
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p.1 #1 · Cactus V2s Wireless Flash Trigger Review, score 7 of 10!

Hey gang,

I spent a little over 2 months determining what I wanted to wirelessly trigger my two flashes (580ex and 430ex) off my camera. Some of my options were: Pocket Wizards, Canon ST-E2, Radio Poppers, and Cactus V2s.

I've heard nothing but good things about the PWs but I just couldn't find myself spending that amount of money for my hobby. The Canon ST-E2 would again, corner me into using only Canon gear, plus they are infrared and the signal can be blocked, Radio Poppers sound promising; however at the time of this writing the RP Jrs. are still in pre-production.

I decided to go with the Cactus V2s system which I ordered from http://www.gadgetinfinity.com I ordered the TX/Rcvr pair and an additional Rcvr for $60 shipped to my door from Kowloon, China.

Here are 4 YouTube videos describing my initial thoughts and showing the weaknesses and how to overcome them. I will immediately state that I DO NOT recommend the Cactus V2s Wirless Flash Trigger System for ANY paid/professional photographic session. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best) I only give these devices a 7. Last important note is that this is a biased review solely because I have zero experience with any other wireless flash trigger system.

Four videos and total running time 26 minutes (no forum YouTube embed tags?):

Video 1 of 4

http://www.youtube.com/v/m5hTyVLYNZg&hl=en

Video 2 of 4

http://www.youtube.com/v/BkLsoYy27aY&hl=en

Video 3 of 4

http://www.youtube.com/v/VXyA8z-ddFI&hl=en

Video 4 of 4

http://www.youtube.com/v/66rakiy2aWE&hl=en

Digi-Key Part Numbers: Antenna: ANT-433-CW-RH Connector: CONREVSMA004 just do a search at http://www.digikey.com/

-Roy

Jun 09, 2008 at 03:04 AM

bacilonur
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p.1 #2 · Cactus V2s Wireless Flash Trigger Review, score 7 of 10!

I'm not in a Youtube mood (I read at ~500WPM so videos bore me

) so I don't know what your workarounds involve, but basically you summed up what most people on forums and reviews agree on: They're not intended for hardcore usage. Mine work great as a lightweight alternative to PWs and, most importantly, allow me to use 580's/430's without a hotshoe adapter and cable. They're small and cheap enough that I like having a PW backup, but I think I got an exceptionally good batch. They fire 100% at short distances (50 feet or less, usually). One died for no reason a few weeks ago, but considering that they cost as much as a Paramount cable, it's hard to demand a whole lot outta them.

Even the antenna mods you see, I'd guess at least half of those hacks screw up the units completely. Skyports are really where it's at, if only they made a version with an embedded hotshoe.

Jun 09, 2008 at 04:45 AM

markle
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p.1 #3 · Cactus V2s Wireless Flash Trigger Review, score 7 of 10!

Excellent.
thank you!

basically the antenna does very little indoors...
Ive been using the interfit IR that does misfire once in a while but then again even the cord is not perfect . (the connection with the camera in particular)
All considered I think that the cactus is a valid alternative.

Jun 10, 2008 at 12:56 PM


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