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Archive 2011 · wireless flash solution: 2x 580's or pocketwizard system?

ashmadux
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · wireless flash solution: 2x 580's or pocketwizard system?

after assisting several photogs at their shoots, i know the potential of a wireless system. Ive done all the research i can about systems like pocketwizards and using either an st-e2 or a 580 to control other flashes. Canon system has line of site/sunlight issues, and pocketwizards are..well, good. Ive also heard about the 580's burning out when using pw's.

so here's what im looking at

1x- 580 (for slave use)- 400 or so.
2x pocketwizards (flex, whatever)- roughly 450

more reliable system, vs. 2 flashes for more lighting options.

what do you guys think?

thx in advance.

May 03, 2011 at 10:41 PM

nathanlake
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · wireless flash solution: 2x 580's or pocketwizard system?

I use the Mini TT1 and Flex TT5 and am very impressed. The only issue I have ever had is the battery door on the TT1 can be a bit lose and give you an intermittent contact. I had to slip a small wedge of paper in there to hold the battery tight. It only happened on one of them, but if you notice intermittent performance or downright failure, check that first.

It was sort of a pain, but once I figured it out and applied my fix I have had no problems.

May 03, 2011 at 10:49 PM

Alan321
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · wireless flash solution: 2x 580's or pocketwizard system?

The ST-E2 is nice and compact but is expensive for something that cannot be used as a flash. Better in my opinion to use another 580II if you can afford it and you can handle the bulk.

The radio controller options are perhaps relatively important if you are shooting beside other photographers and need to separate your flash system from theirs. Otherwise, I'd opt for the versatility of the extra flash on-camera. It also lets you shoot with a single flash without having to relocate the external unit, should the need arise.

Just so you know, I do very little flash photography and you might want to weight my comments accordingly.

- Alan

May 04, 2011 at 12:13 AM

clarence3
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · wireless flash solution: 2x 580's or pocketwizard system?

ashmadux wrote:
...either an st-e2 or a 580 to control other flashes. Canon system has line of site/sunlight issues, and pocketwizards are..well, good..

I originally tried the 550EX as Master and several sets of triggers and the ST-E2. I now use the flex/min and greatly prefer it over the other options. Lots of details/reviews/considerations covered in the Lighting sub-forum.

ashmadux wrote:
Ive also heard about the 580's burning out when using pw's.

If you haven't purchased yet, consider the 550EX or 580EX Mk 1... they work fine (and are a better value on the used market) with the PW flex/mini. The 580 Mk II has the issues with the flash tube burning out and RF noise reducing the trigger range.

May 04, 2011 at 05:59 AM

Nowhere Man
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · wireless flash solution: 2x 580's or pocketwizard system?

I use the PW II's and they work great. I love them. Never had one fail on me yet. I use them with used 580ex flashes that I bought off eBay.

May 04, 2011 at 08:33 AM

John--G
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · wireless flash solution: 2x 580's or pocketwizard system?

Alan321 wrote:
The ST-E2 is nice and compact but is expensive for something that cannot be used as a flash. Better in my opinion to use another 580II if you can afford it and you can handle the bulk.
- Alan

The other issue with the ST-E2 is the range is very short and it can be unreliable outdoors or indoors in strong window light.

I switched to PocketWizard II's which were 100% reliable in all conditions. I have since added the Flex/TT for outdoor use. I still use my Plus II's when indoors.

If considering the Flex/TT be aware of the RF interferene issues with the 580EXII. I finally picked up a pair of 430EX II which I use exclusively with the Flex/TT.

May 04, 2011 at 09:39 AM

Photon
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · wireless flash solution: 2x 580's or pocketwizard system?

John--G wrote:
I switched to PocketWizard II's which were 100% reliable in all conditions. I have since added the Flex/TT for outdoor use. I still use my Plus II's when indoors.

If considering the Flex/TT be aware of the RF interferene issues with the 580EXII. I finally picked up a pair of 430EX II which I use exclusively with the Flex/TT.

But also note that the 580exII only causes interference when it is very near the transmitting PW (i.e., used as on camera flash). A 580II on a receiver PW is no problem.

May 04, 2011 at 10:11 AM

nathanlake
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · wireless flash solution: 2x 580's or pocketwizard system?

Alan321 wrote:
The ST-E2 is nice and compact but is expensive for something that cannot be used as a flash. Better in my opinion to use another 580II if you can afford it and you can handle the bulk.

The radio controller options are perhaps relatively important if you are shooting beside other photographers and need to separate your flash system from theirs. Otherwise, I'd opt for the versatility of the extra flash on-camera. It also lets you shoot with a single flash without having to relocate the external unit, should the need arise.

Just so you know, I do very little flash photography...Show more →

The issue I have with this system is that it is limited to line-of-sight.

May 04, 2011 at 10:35 AM

nathanlake
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · wireless flash solution: 2x 580's or pocketwizard system?

John--G wrote:
The other issue with the ST-E2 is the range is very short and it can be unreliable outdoors or indoors in strong window light.

I switched to PocketWizard II's which were 100% reliable in all conditions. I have since added the Flex/TT for outdoor use. I still use my Plus II's when indoors.

If considering the Flex/TT be aware of the RF interferene issues with the 580EXII. I finally picked up a pair of 430EX II which I use exclusively with the Flex/TT.

They now come with an RF sleeve that addresses the RFI issue.

May 04, 2011 at 10:36 AM

John--G
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · wireless flash solution: 2x 580's or pocketwizard system?

Photon wrote:
But also note that the 580exII only causes interference when it is very near the transmitting PW (i.e., used as on camera flash). A 580II on a receiver PW is no problem.

I don't necessarily agree. RF interference normally effects a receiver not a transmitter. I have three Flex/TT's. One on the camera and two as remotes with 580EXII attached. I have trouble getting reliable operation at 10 feet. I even swapped around the Flex/TT's. No difference. Substitute 430EXII for the flashes and suddenly I have 100% reliability out to 100 feet plus.

May 05, 2011 at 08:36 AM

John--G
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · wireless flash solution: 2x 580's or pocketwizard system?

nathanlake wrote:
They now come with an RF sleeve that addresses the RFI issue.

Are you referring to the shielding sock? I have those. They are an abomination. When working in the field it is a nightmare fitting the hotshoe extension and shielding sock. Just more parts to lose and more wasted time.

I gave up playing with them and just went with 430EXII's. Problem solved.

May 05, 2011 at 08:40 AM

LightShow
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · wireless flash solution: 2x 580's or pocketwizard system?

I have 1 mini/with an AC3 and 3 flex, 1 580exII and 2 430exII's
I love the control I have with the system when using the AC3, I would like to see them combine a mini and AC3 so you could still have an on camera flash.

Another thing I'd like to see is an iphone connection kit that gives you programing control of the PW's.

May 05, 2011 at 09:02 AM

nathanlake
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · wireless flash solution: 2x 580's or pocketwizard system?

John--G wrote:
Are you referring to the shielding sock? I have those. They are an abomination. When working in the field it is a nightmare fitting the hotshoe extension and shielding sock. Just more parts to lose and more wasted time.

I gave up playing with them and just went with 430EXII's. Problem solved.

I use the 580s without the sock and without any problems, but only remote. I use either a 430 on the camera or none at all.

May 05, 2011 at 07:35 PM

bobbytan
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · wireless flash solution: 2x 580's or pocketwizard system?

I would get a 7D or any new Canon body for wireless Speedlite photography.

May 05, 2011 at 09:07 PM

nathanlake
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · wireless flash solution: 2x 580's or pocketwizard system?

bobbytan wrote:
I would get a 7D or any new Canon body for wireless Speedlite photography.

You are still stuck with line-of-sight if you rely on the flash to do the communication.

May 08, 2011 at 03:35 PM

dan7768s
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · wireless flash solution: 2x 580's or pocketwizard system?

The AC-7 is a hard sleeve and is much easier to deal with than the sock. It also gives a lot more mount options. http://www.pocketwizard.com/products/transmitter_receiver/ac7%20rf%20hard%20shield/

May 08, 2011 at 08:21 PM

dan7768s
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · wireless flash solution: 2x 580's or pocketwizard system?

The AC-3 controller let's you control your flashes, Manual/eTTL/level/compensation from the camera. It's just about a must have option for the mini\wizard

May 08, 2011 at 08:24 PM


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