Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

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Archive 2009 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

mattr762
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p.1 #1 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

I'm a "best bang for the buck" kind of guy. So when I started researching wireless systems to control my speedlite and found the Canon model was way out of my price range. I found the RF-602 on ebay, found some good reviews online and purchased it for $29 with free shipping. I've tried it out and it works perfect for my needs. I'm very happy with it and look forward to using my new wireless system!

If you have any questions or would like me to test it in some fashion just let me know.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Edited on Jan 10, 2010 at 08:04 PM · View previous versions

Nov 07, 2009 at 10:53 PM

afaust
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p.1 #2 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

Can you use multiple lights and have them controlled by the same master unit? What is the range like?

Nov 07, 2009 at 11:12 PM

afaust
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p.1 #3 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

Can you use multiple lights and have them controlled by the same master unit? What is the range like?

Nov 07, 2009 at 11:17 PM

mattr762
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p.1 #4 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

Yes, you can control multiple flashes with one controller.

I had my daughter walk down the street and I took a picture at every driveway, she went a distance of 450ft and it worked fine. They advertise it will go 100 meters, but I went further.

Edited on Jan 10, 2010 at 07:59 PM · View previous versions

Nov 07, 2009 at 11:58 PM

EB-1
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p.1 #5 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

Are they sold legitimately in US?

EBH

Nov 08, 2009 at 12:17 AM

mattr762
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p.1 #6 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

I don't know. I purchased from an ebay dealer located in Hong Kong.

Here is the flickr site that discusses them in more detail: http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/discuss/72157621634656829/

Nov 08, 2009 at 12:33 AM

gpop
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p.1 #7 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

I just got a few sets. deal extreme or some such website. took a few weeks to ship, but In think I recall they cost like $25usd* for two kits.(each kit is a full set, two sets will fire two flash units) only messed around a bit with them so far. no problems.

link: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.28511

I don't know this website well enough to vouch for it. ymmv.
*I found a 2fer1 coupon code someplace.

Nov 08, 2009 at 12:44 AM

doorbellring
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p.1 #8 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

I just wanted to thank you for posting this up here. I just bought an RF-602 from ebay, and am waiting in anticipation for it get here.

My very first wireless flash transmitter... Hopefully I won't be disapointed.

Nov 08, 2009 at 07:47 PM

Drayken
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p.1 #9 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

I have two questions about these units. First, ok, you can control multiple flashes. Can you have different strength for each flash? (probably a dumb question, you probably just apply + or - on each flash, right? Secondly, have you guys used it as a wireless remote? I was going to buy an RC-1 remote, but if this works just as well....

Nov 10, 2009 at 09:08 PM

PierreB
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p.1 #10 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

Thanks for this. Sounds like just what I'm looking for.

Nov 10, 2009 at 09:14 PM

AdrianRogers
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p.1 #11 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

Heard many good things about these from other photography boards I use. Ordered a set for a play about with, for the price, why not!

Nov 10, 2009 at 09:35 PM

dfresh
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p.1 #12 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

I'm looking forward to getting these after my Cactus v4s die or break. I was originally thinking of getting Cybersyncs but these are more tempting...

Nov 10, 2009 at 09:49 PM

mattr762
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p.1 #13 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

Drayken wrote:
I have two questions about these units. First, ok, you can control multiple flashes. Can you have different strength for each flash? (probably a dumb question, you probably just apply + or - on each flash, right? Secondly, have you guys used it as a wireless remote? I was going to buy an RC-1 remote, but if this works just as well....
First: Adjust the strength of the flash itself.

Second: Not sure how it would work as wireless remote, don't think it will.

Nov 10, 2009 at 09:50 PM

mattr762
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p.1 #14 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

Also another note on range: I stood on my front porch and my daughter was on the back porch and it worked perfect. Distance was 50ft or so and went through 2 brick walls.

Also another benefit to this is; the bottom of the receiver unit accepts a standard tripod mount, so you don't have to have a proprietary light stand.

Nov 10, 2009 at 09:55 PM

Ian.Dobinson
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p.1 #15 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

Not ETTLII is it? so by saying you looked athe Canon alternative and that was too expensive, its not really the same thing. But you have saved yourself a bunch on a set of PW's!

Nov 10, 2009 at 10:39 PM

Grant808
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p.1 #16 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

Wow. Flash trigger AND wireless remote!

Thanks for the post!

Nov 10, 2009 at 11:18 PM

Drayken
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p.1 #17 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

mattr762 wrote:
Drayken wrote:
I have two questions about these units. First, ok, you can control multiple flashes. Can you have different strength for each flash? (probably a dumb question, you probably just apply + or - on each flash, right? Secondly, have you guys used it as a wireless remote? I was going to buy an RC-1 remote, but if this works just as well....
First: Adjust the strength of the flash itself.

Second: Not sure how it would work as wireless remote, don't think it will.

Well, they are sold on ebay as wireless remotes, not wireless flash. Surely someone who has them has read the instructions, lol. (We all know how often we don't

Nov 11, 2009 at 01:03 AM

anotherview
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p.1 #18 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

mattr762: Can you set the external flash units from the Flash Control menu on your XSi?

Nov 11, 2009 at 01:10 AM

Two23
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p.1 #19 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

I do a lot with off camera flash, at night. I've owned Skyport triggers in the past and currently own x10 CyberSyncs and X2 PW-II. I light up big stuff (freight trains, canyons, grain elevators) with either SB-28 flash or X3200 monolights. I'm familiar with most of the current triggers out there. I am a Strobist.

The RF-602 are probably the best of the low cost triggers available at the moment. They are reasonably reliable (90+%) and most people report range out to at least 100 ft. There are a LOT of variables affecting range. These are simple triggers in that they will fire a flash in sync with the camera. They don't do any TTL, but for most people that's not a big deal. You need flash that has manual mode is all. They use the 2.4gHz band, which is legal. I haven't tried them, but I would expect them to easily be able to trigger two flash at once, if not more. They are basically a simple switch. For someone just doing portrait type stuff they are actually very highly regarded.

I have gone with CyberSyncs, mainly because they have relay mode. That allows me to nearly double the range and I can fire a flash out to 800+ feet. When I need to fire flash from even farther than that (and many times I do) I hook a pair of PW-II triggers in tandem with the CyberSyncs. The CyberSyncs are very rugged and I know they work at 32F below zero. The RF-602 might, I haven't heard of anyone using them like that though. The CyberSyncs will also reliably trigger a Nikon camera, something I use them for. Not sure if the RF-602 do or not.

I will give a word of warning. Radio triggers are being called a "gateway drug." Once you start buying a few them, it's hard to stop. I started with x3 Skyport triggers and three NIkon SB flash. Three years later I now have x12 triggers, x7 monolights, x10 SB flash. If you think buying cameras gets expensive, wait until you start buying lighting system!

I've put a couple of my shots here on the Nikon forum titled, "Trains As Art."

Kent in SD

Nov 11, 2009 at 02:04 AM

jerrykur
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p.1 #20 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

I am waiting for some one to develop a cheaper remote that does wireless TTL over RF like the new PW units or Radio Poppers. PW units are crippled by a bad frequency selection and the Radio Poppers seem to have production issues. Both are very expensive ($200+). Just the market for another company to come in and knock out these other players.

Nov 11, 2009 at 03:42 PM

riokid
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p.1 #21 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

Thank you for the link

Nov 11, 2009 at 03:46 PM

mattr762
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p.1 #22 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

anotherview wrote:
mattr762: Can you set the external flash units from the Flash Control menu on your XSi?

If you can, I'm not sure how. I've never messed with it and not sure where to find it.

Nov 11, 2009 at 03:57 PM

AdrianRogers
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p.1 #23 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

Mine should be arriving in the next day or so. Just ordered a trigger and two receivers. I'll have a friend run off down the road with a flash and see what's what

Nov 11, 2009 at 04:13 PM

Rob Whiting
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p.1 #24 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

anotherview wrote:
Can you set the external flash units from the Flash Control menu on your XSi?

no

Nov 11, 2009 at 04:28 PM

Marshal.f
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p.1 #25 · Wireless Flash on the Cheap! RF-602

Hey on dealextreme.com it says it only works for Canon 450D, 400D, 350D, and 300D, but i will work with any camera with a hotshoe right? Like my 50d?

Nov 11, 2009 at 04:31 PM


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