one problem with the yongnuo is that it does not have a 1/4 threaded female insert on the bottom which means you have to buy a hotshoe to 1/4 adapter to mount it on a bracket.
sic0048 wrote:
You realize that this thread is 6 months old and surely the OP has chosen his system by now right?
you realize that these posts are archived and google searchable and provide information for others and that is intentional? Otherwise, the forum software would age and delete them.
I do. But I also know that 99% of all forum users never use the search button. They simply create a new thread to ask the same old questions. I'm not saying that is right, but it is reality.
jzucker wrote:
you realize that these posts are archived and google searchable and provide information for others and that is intentional? Otherwise, the forum software would age and delete them.
Exactly the post I was looking for so I appreciate the info here and am wondering which will benefit me as I want a full wireless system. I am looking into skysport right now. Also debating the cheaper ones but I would rather pay for something that will be headache free and will go with my stobe ligthing.
I will be receiving my Phottix Odin this week so I'll update the thread and let you know my thoughts. I had problems with the Yongnuo RF-602. Others have had better luck but the quality control is definitely not good on the cheaper imports. Once you get a good one they seem to be ok. If the odin doesn't absolutely blow me away, I'll probably return it and stick with a manual trigger such as the RF-603
I will be receiving my Phottix Odin this week so I'll update the thread and let you know my thoughts. I had problems with the Yongnuo RF-602. Others have had better luck but the quality control is definitely not good on the cheaper imports. Once you get a good one they seem to be ok. If the odin doesn't absolutely blow me away, I'll probably return it and stick with a manual trigger such as the RF-603
I will be looking forward to your review and in the meantime I am going to keep researching on strobes and triggers. This hobby has become quite expensive already .
I've used the PocketWizard ControlTL system ( 2 Flex TT5's + 1 MiniTT1 + 1 AC3 Zone Controller in both Canon and Nikon versions, along with 2x AC9 transceivers for Alien Bees /Zeus, 2x Power MC2 transceivers for Einstein 640 moonlights , plus a Power ST4 for some Elinchroms for almost 2 years now. I shoot commercial (advertising and corporate shooting), and editorial portraits. I don't have problems but do keep my firmware up to date on all of the units. I occasionally shoot events like weddings andBar mitzvahs as well but not a lot of that kind of work.
I don't know why some people have trouble with them and some do not. It could be bad units , not updating the firmware or possibly user error. Also the Canon 580 EXII Speedlites have some inherent problems with the FlexTT5 that other Canon Speedlites and the Nikon Speedlights do not suffer from.
I can't say they are 100% failure proof like my PocketWizard MultiMAX systems but they are in my experience, reliable.
I could easily see how an average user could have problems though. The overall system requires a LOT more "buy in" from the user: there are a lot more factors that can affect the performance of the entire system. Everything from the users selection of channels (I'd be willing to bet most people never plug it into a computer and update the settings) to understanding how/when HyperSync kicks in.
Overall my units have performed very well but it hasn't been without hiccups. I've experienced a bug with the D3 and on-camera SB-800 that has been verified by Pocket Wizard and I hope they'll fix with the next firmware update. As a system, I really like the cable-less and bracket-less ease of use much better than the Radio Poppers so I'm willing to work around the hiccups at this point.
+1 on Ellis and Ben's experience with PW ControlTL system.
No system is perfect and I never expect it to be. Unlike most people I read manuals to learn the ins and outs and look for ways to make it work within it's capabilities. PW system has been very good to me because I don't expect it to "absolutely blow me away" as noted by jzucker. I simply appreciate all the options and capabilities we have. It's really amazing. My initial experience with the ControlTL system was horrible and I sold them. However, with keeping up with PW updates on their blog and FB page I repurchased and added more units. I'm a happy working photographer
bvigil wrote:
Overall my units have performed very well but it hasn't been without hiccups. I've experienced a bug with the D3 and on-camera SB-800 that has been verified by Pocket Wizard and I hope they'll fix with the next firmware update.
A month or two after launch, I bought a set of the ControlTL units on the recommendation of people on here and they turned out to be the biggest mistake ever and didn't live up to their hype. Like CordellWillis' units - I sent them back. Recently there was a huge v3 update which was supposed to address lots of issues these units were having, but all it seems to have done is promise functions which didn't work, chase problems elsewhere and reduce the useful benefits of previous versions.
That D3 'on-camera SB-800' was as much a problem back when I had them as it still is now. It simply didn't work then - and I was told that it wasn't intended to - now that it's supposed to - it still doesn't work!? I don't know what the specific SB-800 problem on camera is for you, but I doubt it isn't the only one as theres still plenty about as I experienced a couple of weeks back.
It's been almost a year since the Nikon versions came out and they appear just as instable now as they did then. If you can afford to wait while PW fix them or you have an alternative system you can use as a back up in the meantime, then I'm sure that when they're fixed and working they'll be useful tools, but there'll be still quite a while to wait for a reliable set of units IMO.
Umm...I read manuals too. I happen to be an engineer so it comes with the territory. Still, a good design is easy to use and doesn't require manuals to get it up and running.
My comment about "blowing me away" means that it should live up to it's product requirements and support ETTL over wireless without hiccups - Something the PW system apparently doesn't do properly for either nikon or canon.
Glad you're a happy, working photographer and that PW is working for you.. cordellwillis wrote:
+1 on Ellis and Ben's experience with PW ControlTL system.
No system is perfect and I never expect it to be. Unlike most people I read manuals to learn the ins and outs and look for ways to make it work within it's capabilities. PW system has been very good to me because I don't expect it to "absolutely blow me away" as noted by jzucker. I simply appreciate all the options and capabilities we have. It's really amazing. My initial experience with the ControlTL system was horrible and I sold them. However, with keeping up with PW updates on their blog and FB page I repurchased and added more units. I'm a happy working photographer ...Show more →
jzucker wrote:
"blowing me away" means that it should live up to it's product requirements and support ETTL over wireless without hiccups - Something the PW system apparently doesn't do properly for either nikon or canon.
I don't disagree with you. However, my expectations of most things are not on the level of 'never any complications' and no hiccups....especially a radio system like these triggers given all the possible interference in radio signal, weather, building construction, even the earth's magnetic field, and most important, user errors or difficult comprehension of a somewhat complex system. As an engineer I'm sure you can understand this. I'm no engineer, but I'm certainly understanding of the realities.
I'm not excusing PW nor any other maker but the reality is that no matter how much testing a company will do there will always be problems. I believe PW solved most, or at least identified the ControlTL issues (and let's not forget the many benefits of the system). The benefit for companies that follow behind the errors of PW and RP is that they look like they saved the day by avoiding what was published as learned lessons.
I've followed RP and PW since before the idea of *TTL was made available. Both companies had/have issues with what they promised. Isn't that true with ALL products that hit the streets?
Bottom line, PW would already be out of business if it were as bad as legacy net discussions make things seem.
I use them (4 tt5 & 3 580exII).... I noticed the problem (unreliability) happen more often when paired with 2 or more set of 580exII&TT5. keep in mind, I didnot used AC7/AC5 and/or external batt pack (quantum turbo), so that would have huge factors on interferences. I'm quite sure having those would help alot but simplicity is what i want. AC3 do make it less reliable in my experience.
Overall: Yes, i hate them at first n still do, but it's keep getting better (in term of accuracy and reliable). It becomes much more manageable now. Of course i would try alternative if othere product do have similar ControlTL/HS
I use them (4 tt5 & 3 580exII).... I noticed the problem (unreliability) happen more often when paired with 2 or more set of 580exII&TT5. keep in mind, I didnot used AC7/AC5 and/or external batt pack (quantum turbo), so that would have huge factors on interferences. I'm quite sure having those would help alot but simplicity is what i want. AC3 do make it less reliable in my experience.
Overall: Yes, i hate them at first n still do, but it's keep getting better (in term of accuracy and reliable). It becomes much more manageable now. Of course i would try alternative if othere product do have similar ControlTL/HS
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