Hi all got a couple of quick questions and wasn't sure if they should go into the General Gear Talk or the Lighting forums so don't shoot me if I got it wrong...just thought there'd be more chance of someone in here having the answers.
1) Are there radio frequency or other issues with importing PWs from the US into Australia? I know they run on AA batteries so there is no issue with voltage issues charging them, but I recently read a comment on PW website and on the Strobist website saying something about PWs will be supplied in frequencies to match overseas destination if outside US. Thoughts?
2) If I need to buy Australian models where is the best place to source these at a fair price...not the $385 inc GST price my local camera store sells them for...
L&P are the distributors for NZ and Aussie, im not sure if they will be any cheaper.
In NZ the Pw's clash with the police frequency. Im not sure about Aussie.
In NZ the cheapest i have found is about $400 each, that was earlier this year.
Pocket Wizards are too expensive for me (also in Australia), so I went with using a 580Ex on my camera which triggers another off-camera 580 and a 430Ex. I use optic slaves on my larger strobe units, not as neat as PW's but $800 cheaper!
PWs used in Australia should be the EC frequency model (434 Mhz) not the US frequency model (344 MHz).
The same is true of Sekonic meters if you plan to trip your PW equipped lights with a PW. The frequency for the wireless trigger in set by the meter, not the transmitter module. You can tell which meter you have by looking at the sticker on the back. If it has an FCC license # it is a 344 MHz US model.
FYI (for the Aussies), I just got an email from Team Digital over here in Perth, who are the local reseller for L&P, and they advised $341 inc GST per unit. Better than $400 but still bloody exy...
Thanks for the frequency info Chuck, will know what to look for now.
Yup I hear ya. That said, Canon has just dropped prices on a huge array of their lenses (not on bodies or flashes though) and if you get a good price from a retailer you can actually get pretty close to the cost of importing the lens from the US (by the time you factor in freight, duty, GST etc assuming the lens is over $1000). But yes, on many other items the cost here in Oz is totally out of whack...espcially given the current exchange rates!
I've just picked up some elinchrom skyports, which seem to work great and are cheaper and smaller than the PW's. (i got them for the ranger system, but they'll work with non-elinchrom stuff too)
i think the range is a bit less and they're probably not built as well as the PW's but might be worth considering
I like the fact that PWs will allow me to trigger my camera as well as trigger flashes. I shoot a bit of extreme sport and the ability to mount a camera somewhere that I wouldn't want to stand is something that appeals a lot. Thanks for the suggestion though.
Inga wrote:
That said, Canon has just dropped prices on a huge array of their lenses (not on bodies or flashes though) and if you get a good price from a retailer you can actually get pretty close to the cost of importing the lens from the US (by the time you factor in freight, duty, GST etc assuming the lens is over $1000).
Aw what? Really? Damnit, I should've waited with my 135L! I'm still suffering from buyer's remorse about 2 months later!
Yeah, I actually think that was one of the lenses that WASN'T on the price drop list. I had my eye on that one too...but am buying a 70-200 2.8 IS instead... So don't fret too much about it.
The 135L is definitely still on my list of wanted lenses...but will probably leave it until I've got a full frame.
not trying to plug the skyports but i'm pretty sure they can trigger cameras as well. PW's are still the standard though. If you want to trigger remote camera and lights at the same time, might need the multimax's.
dave unwin wrote:
not trying to plug the skyports but i'm pretty sure they can trigger cameras as well. PW's are still the standard though.
Actually the Skyports don't trigger the camera (at least yet). I use Skyports extensively but have kept a few PWII's as camera triggers for the rare occasion I need them. Word on the street, there is a Skyport camera trigger coming someday though. When that day comes it will be a fond farewell to my trusty ol' PW's.
Carmen Miranda wrote:
Actually the Skyports don't trigger the camera (at least yet). I use Skyports extensively but have kept a few PWII's as camera triggers for the rare occasion I need them. Word on the street, there is a Skyport camera trigger coming someday though. When that day comes it will be a fond farewell to my trusty ol' PW's.
These work with Skyport and CyberSync just fine. One shot per click. Wired for continuous focus so response is instant. And, yes, you can trigger camera and lights with two CyberSync triggers and receivers.
Hi Inga, I'm in Melbourne. I bought PW+II's off U.S. Ebay in the (Slaves) category of the Camera section a couple months back. Seller was ahmuay.The pair (2)cost $380 including shipping. Just specify the frequency you want and he will send it.
Wateva wrote:
Hi Inga, I'm in Melbourne. I bought PW+II's off U.S. Ebay in the (Slaves) category of the Camera section a couple months back. Seller was ahmuay.The pair (2)cost $380 including shipping. Just specify the frequency you want and he will send it.
