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Archive 2009 · Which remote triggers?

RobertCB
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p.1 #1 · Which remote triggers?

I am going to purchase some remote triggers after Christmas and was considering either the old or new pocket wizards. Going to be used to fire remote cameras and need them to have enough range to do baseball and softball (possibly some lighting in the future). I was originally going to purchase the CyberSync, price mainly, but their range looks to be limited. What would you purchase and why. Thanks.

Dec 24, 2009 at 11:18 PM

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p.1 #2 · Which remote triggers?

If you're firing a camera with your finger on the button, not firing a remote flash from the camera, then ergonomics becomes a factor.

I originally tried a cybersync, but hated the tiny button, plus you can't auto-focus remotely, which could matter is some instances. From what I can see, all the top units suffer from this same oversight. (though maybe there's something new I don't know about?)

I use those cheap, HK-Ebay Photox deals. They go bad on a fairly regular basis, so I buy several at a time & always carry at least one spare pair. However, they are wonderful to use, and the range is at least 100', even without line-of-sight. The difference is, this type of unit is specifically made for firing a shutter, not a flash.

One caveat - these units have a limited range of frequency choices. That doesn't matter to me, but you should be aware of it.

Dec 25, 2009 at 03:19 AM

kasakato
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p.1 #3 · Which remote triggers?

I'm using the new "eBay" triggers - the RF602. They are much better built than the previous generation of eBay triggers, and operate in the 2.4GHz band. They will auto focus with half a push and the remote is not too hard to hold.

Dec 25, 2009 at 03:48 AM

ecidi
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p.1 #4 · Which remote triggers?

I like this: PHOTTIX HERO LIVEVIEW WIRELESS REMOTE
http://martybugs.net/blog/blog.cgi/gear/PhottixHeroLiveViewWirelessRemote.html

Hope the link works for you.

Dec 25, 2009 at 12:59 PM

E-Vener
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p.1 #5 · Which remote triggers?

You want range, reliability, and versatility ( all of which you'll need for what you want to do)?? Then you have only one choice: Pocketwizard MultiMAX. End of story.

Dec 25, 2009 at 04:41 PM

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p.1 #6 · Which remote triggers?

E-Vener,

The Multimax suffers from the same drawbacks as the Cybersync, mentioned above.

Small button, no way to trigger AF, and no integrated bulb-mode. (unless there is a trick, not explained in the manual.

Also, this type of device (designed primarily for triggering flashes) is meant to attach to your hotshoe. That makes it slightly cumbersome for shutter triggering.

I keep my Phottix velcro'ed to the left side of my 5D, where it tucks nicely "inside" my L-Plate. Then I attach a small velcro strap to the top as well. this lets me detach it from the camera body, so it just hangs there, at which point it makes a great tethered trigger for minimizing camera shake.

I just LOVE this thing, except for when it decides not to work. I don't know why AB and PW don't understand this, and make a similar unit but with more channels and better reliability.

Edited on Dec 26, 2009 at 07:40 PM · View previous versions

Dec 26, 2009 at 04:27 AM

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p.1 #7 · Which remote triggers?

ecidi wrote:
I like this: PHOTTIX HERO LIVEVIEW WIRELESS REMOTE
http://martybugs.net/blog/blog.cgi/gear/PhottixHeroLiveViewWirelessRemote.html

Hope the link works for you.

Ecidi, thanks for this!

For my particular use, this is a gift from the gods. I am going to order one asap. - I just hope they don't go bad as regularly as the Cleon. This is a bit too expensive to just buy multiple emergency-spares. Has anyone heard anything about reliability with these?

Also- do you know if the reciever has a "fire" button built-in, so you can fire the shutter without the transmitter? (as you can with the Cleon) If not, I might just use the Hero for the video feed, and fire the shutter with my existing Cleon. That would also give me an emergency backup for the shutter, in case one or the other went bad.

Dec 26, 2009 at 04:36 AM

Focus Locus
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p.1 #8 · Which remote triggers?

Pocket Wizards can have a button any size, any shape, placed in any location on your handheld camera that you want.

Get the switch of choice, mount it where you want it, with the attachment method of choice, and wire it to a mini plug, using a length of cord suitable to where you want to have the PW... which doesn't have to be on the hot shoe.

If you're firing remotes independently from your handheld, you can keep the Pocket Wizard, well, in your pocket.

If you're sync firing remotes simultaneously with your handheld, you can use the supplied pc cord to trigger the PW, and use a 1/4 by 20 stud to mount the PW to the L plate, or the bottom of your camera, if the hot shoe is bothersome. Or use a longer sync cord, and put the Pocket Wizard in your pocket.

The test button on a Multimax is the largest button on the unit... about the size of the "Post Reply" button at the bottom right hand side of this webpage.

PW is tried and true in the trade. There are a lot of new, cool looking, smaller, and cheaper options that have emerged in the last 5 years... maybe one or two of these options will emerge as a superior triggering device one day, but it may take a while for that option to prove itself and its range reliably, compared to the millions of successful radio triggers the PW has already fired world wide.

Dec 26, 2009 at 04:49 AM

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p.1 #9 · Which remote triggers?

So how do you autofocus?

-and how do you do bulb-mode without using the camera's menu? That's less important, but still a huge convenience.

Edited on Dec 26, 2009 at 07:41 PM · View previous versions

Dec 26, 2009 at 06:45 AM

martybugs
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p.1 #10 · Which remote triggers?

Cableaddict wrote:
Also- do you know if the reciever has a "fire" button built-in, so you can fire the shutter without the transmitter? (as you can with the Cleon)

I can confirm that this is not possible - there is no "fire" button on the receiver.

(I'm the author of the Phottix Hero review that was mentioned earlier in this thread.)

Regards,
Martin.

Dec 26, 2009 at 07:26 AM

skyvan
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p.1 #11 · Which remote triggers?

martybugs wrote:
Cableaddict wrote:
Also- do you know if the reciever has a "fire" button built-in, so you can fire the shutter without the transmitter? (as you can with the Cleon)

I can confirm that this is not possible - there is no "fire" button on the receiver.

(I'm the author of the Phottix Hero review that was mentioned earlier in this thread.)

Regards,
Martin.
Awesome site and a very helpful review of the Photix Hero.

Dec 26, 2009 at 07:49 AM

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p.1 #12 · Which remote triggers?

Thanks, Martin.

A bit of an oversight on their part, I think. Still a cool product.

Dec 26, 2009 at 04:41 PM

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p.1 #13 · Which remote triggers?

kasakato wrote:
I'm using the new "eBay" triggers - the RF602. They are much better built than the previous generation of eBay triggers, .

kasakato, I do like the fact that this unit can do wireless flash triggering as well (though you know it won't measure up to a cybersync or PW) - but what makes you say it's "much better built" than a Cleon II and the like? Specifically what is better built on these?

The Cleon's button seems to be the biggest problem, though I also had a cable go bad. -but how can you know that the 602 is more robust? At these prices, they are all likely using the cheapest components they can find.

-And if you have this info, what data backs it up?

Dec 26, 2009 at 07:45 PM

RobertCB
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p.1 #14 · Which remote triggers?

Thanks for the input everyone! I really appreciate the information.

Santa unexpectedly brought me a pocket wizard flex and mini but I am not sure these units are the right ones for me. After examining them, the mini does not have any input/attachment points for cords so I cannot use a cord for a shutter release. This is important since my main reasoning for having these is to remotely trip a shutter on and off my hand held. Both units have test buttons but they are very small and are not placed to be conveniently used to trip a remote. The problem I have is I hate to spend money, santa money is really my money in a round about way, and not have the new wizard's capabilities of off camera ettl even though I currently do not need this option.

I have decided I need the range of the pocket wizard and believe these are my options:

1. Replace the mini with a flex tt5 even though the test button cannot really be used to trip a remote and always use a cord off camera.
2. Spend the most money and get two multimax units (most range and flexibility) but then I would not be future proof without off camera ettl capabilities.
3. Save some money and buy two pw IIs and just be happy with those units capabilities for now.
4. Or say bah humbug, save some money, and buy the cybersyncs and place the remote within their 400 foot capabilities.

I have the flu now so I cannot venture out and exchange/return the units, so I have a few days to decide. Continued help would be appreciated and thanks again.

Dec 26, 2009 at 09:06 PM

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p.1 #15 · Which remote triggers?

How important is ettl in firing remote cameras, firing remote strobes, or firing remote cameras and strobes together?

Brainstorming situations where you might install strobes... will the light change that much? Once you commit to a strobe installation, sandbagged on stands, magic armed in the ceiling, or where ever, isn't the most common intent to over power ambient anyway? If one is going through the trouble of bringing their own light, doesn't it automatically follow that one will control that light themselves? How much will ettl contribute to that control, over say, a couple of test exposures?

I can see ettl for use on little hot shoe flashes, that are convenient mini light sources for high mobility, constantly changing circumstances, changing ambient light, changing backlight, people on the move... etc. But if the environment is controllable enough to put up strobes... is ettl that useful?

I'd rather have radio range and reliability over lighting control.

Now, if the ability to change output levels on a pack via radio remote is available, that's a different story. I heard ProFoto has introduced a proprietary link up to their 8a pack... not sure of any details... and Paul C Buff announced some kind of Cyberlink for his line of strobes... not sure if that every materialized)

Trouble is, those are all proprietary systems. Profoto, Dynalite, and 2 other brands strobe packs offer Pocket Wizards built into some of their packs. Sekonic offers light meters with built in PW transmitters as well. So PW has emerged to be the most "universal" radio control system thus far, for triggering.

Dec 26, 2009 at 09:58 PM

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p.1 #16 · Which remote triggers?

Who mentioned ETTL? I'm concerned about AF.

Dec 26, 2009 at 11:00 PM

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p.1 #17 · Which remote triggers?

Cableaddict wrote:
kasakato wrote:
I'm using the new "eBay" triggers - the RF602. They are much better built than the previous generation of eBay triggers, .

kasakato, I do like the fact that this unit can do wireless flash triggering as well (though you know it won't measure up to a cybersync or PW) - but what makes you say it's "much better built" than a Cleon II and the like? Specifically what is better built on these?

The Cleon's button seems to be the biggest problem, though I also had a cable go bad. -but how can you know that the 602 is more robust? At these prices, they are all likely using the cheapest components they can find.

-And if you have this info, what data backs it up?

Kasakato, I'm still hoping you will clarify / backup this statement. Thanks.

Dec 29, 2009 at 06:41 PM

E-Vener
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p.1 #18 · Which remote triggers?

ecidi wrote:
I like this: PHOTTIX HERO LIVEVIEW WIRELESS REMOTE
http://martybugs.net/blog/blog.cgi/gear/PhottixHeroLiveViewWirelessRemote.html

Hope the link works for you.

Looks interesting but there is no mention of range. The OP asked about long range operation.

Cableaddict:

There is a "thumper" cable for Pocketwizards that either wakes up or keeps the camera active , including autofocus, prior to firing the camera, isimilar to a a half press of the shutter release.

The remark about Pocketwizards having a hot shoe mount meaning it is not suitable for firing remote cameras is just, to be polite, ignorant. I and hundreds if not thousands of other photographers have used Pocketwizards to fire camera for at least a decade.

Prior to the introduction of the Pocketwizard in the mid 1990s , LPA Design made a remote triggering unit for both cameras and electronic flash. It was called the Flashwizard, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, NBA photogrpahers, etc. used these extensively. The last time I saw one being used was at the NCAA tournament in Atlanta in 2000 or 2001. The Pocketwizard MultiMAX is a direct descendant of the Flashwizard. My understanding is that professional sports photogrpahers who work with remote cameras use the Pocketwizard MultiMAX.

I like the idea of the video remote for DSLRs, I just don't know how robust a solution the Photottix is. The blog entry cited reads more like an advertorial for the product than an independent review.

Dec 30, 2009 at 01:29 AM

E-Vener
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p.1 #19 · Which remote triggers?

I have decided I need the range of the pocket wizard and believe these are my options:

1. Replace the mini with a flex tt5 even though the test button cannot really be used to trip a remote and always use a cord off camera.

I just got a MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 set to review for the magazine I write for. The test button on the MiniTT1 does fire the TT5 as well.

2. Spend the most money and get two multimax units (most range and flexibility) but then I would not be future proof without off camera ettl capabilities.
You could try starting with just one MultiMAX. According to my actually RTFMing (Reading The F'ing Manual) you can program the FlexTt units to work in a larger PW system. Wit hthe MultiMAX on camera you should stil lahve around a 1500 foot range. According to robgalbraith.com they are doing some beta testing of some long range firmware currently.

Dec 30, 2009 at 01:43 AM

E-Vener
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p.1 #20 · Which remote triggers?

I found a spec for the Phottix Hero Live wireless remote @ http://www.phottix.com/wireless-remotes/phottixr-hero-liveview-wireless-remote.html

The spec'd range is 100 meters or 328 feet.

Dec 30, 2009 at 01:50 AM

martybugs
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p.1 #21 · Which remote triggers?

E-Vener wrote:
ecidi wrote:
I like this: PHOTTIX HERO LIVEVIEW WIRELESS REMOTE
http://martybugs.net/blog/blog.cgi/gear/PhottixHeroLiveViewWirelessRemote.html

Hope the link works for you.

Looks interesting but there is no mention of range. The OP asked about long range operation.

The specified range of the Hero is 100m.

E-Vener wrote
The blog entry cited reads more like an advertorial for the product than an independent review.

meh....I can assure you, I'm independent, and the intention was to write a review that was independent. Apologies if it came across as an advertorial.

Dec 30, 2009 at 01:53 AM

Two23
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p.1 #22 · Which remote triggers?

I have some thoughts here since I am strictly an outdoor photographer, own both PW and CyberSyncs, and have experience shooting baseball and football with remote flash. I have x2 PW-II triggers, x12 CyberSyncs, X9 Nikon SB-28, x7 White Lightning X3200 monolights plus all the grids, barndoors, 13 ft. stands, etc. My usual subject to photo at night is trains, which demands great reliability and long range.

I have had zero problem with CyberSyncs firing clear across a baseball field from deep center outfield to the bleachers. They fire through chain link fences also, something the PW-II sometimes has trouble with in my own experience. CyberSyncs also fire 100% of the time from one HS football endzone to the other. Never had an issue. CyberSyncs are every bit as reliable as PW-II, and somewhat more reliable than PW-II in winter temps, again my personal experience. (I use CyberSyncs in temps as cold as -32F with no problem.) I bought the PW-II because I sometimes need their advertised 1,600 ft. range. I've been finding that quite often their range isn't near that in the field though. The CyberSyncs have relay mode and I get them to fire reliably from 700 ft. They reliably fire for me at 150 yards (measured on a 200 yard rifle range.) I would advise you to get the CyberSyncs because you can save so much money. The PW is WAY overpriced for it's performance. Again, I own and use both, side by side. You can try the CyberSYncs for 60 days I think, and get a refund if you're not happy. If you buy Paul Buff monolights (such as Alien Bees) you can not only fire the lights from up to 150 yards, but you can also adjust the power levels with their CyberCommander! I don't need that capability myself so didn't get it. I'll finish up by saying that I've been using CyberSyncs for well over a year now and never had one fail in the field. I've used them in heavy rain (under plastic bag,) in blizzards, in temps down to -32F, and just about every situation you can think of. They work.

Kent in SD

Below photo: I triggered a flash through two chain link fences.
Flash was placed in the stands behind home plate. I took the
from outside the fence in centerfield plus about another 50 feet.
CyberSyncs fired 100% at this distance and conditions. (Flash
is in center of the photo.)

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Dec 30, 2009 at 03:03 AM

E-Vener
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p.1 #23 · Which remote triggers?

I've never used the Pocketwizard II or Plus systems. Started with the original 16 channel Pocketwizard s when my Quantum RadioSlave IV's kept failing (sometime in mid 1990's) and LightTec in Houston recommended the Pocketwizards. After tha t iwent to the MAx and then the MultiMAX.

Dec 30, 2009 at 03:24 AM

UCSB
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p.1 #24 · Which remote triggers?

kasakato wrote:
I'm using the new "eBay" triggers - the RF602. They are much better built than the previous generation of eBay triggers, and operate in the 2.4GHz band. They will auto focus with half a push and the remote is not too hard to hold.

Thanks for the tip ... these look very nice. Here is a review I found:

http://scubajunkie-mymind.blogspot.com/2009/09/yongnuo-rf-602-review-couple-of-years.html

Dec 30, 2009 at 06:22 AM

Two23
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p.1 #25 · Which remote triggers?

The RF-602 are said to be the best of the cheap triggers. I've not read anyone complaining about them. Just make sure they have enough range for what you want.

Kent in SD

Dec 30, 2009 at 02:32 PM


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