Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic - Need new transmitter/receiver/transceiver.

dmvphotos · Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 2158 Location: Virginia, USA

Anyone interested in sharing few links to transmitters and receivers or the combination that they use for studio strobes and why. I currently have some cheap transmitter and receivers that I bought from ebay a while back but now I want to upgrade. I am looking at pocket wizards and some other items online but I want to find something that I know will work with the White Lightnings I have as well as any other cheaper lights I might decide to buy in the future. My White Lightnings are so heavy that I am thinking about a nice cheap set of lights to move around easily when I don't need the extra power....Suggestions would be greatly appreciated....

hhltdave5 · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 10:44 pm

I deal strictly with pocket wizards. Never had an issue with them. Some of the cheaper ones I have seen fail to work, and in one case even set off car alarms LOL

For the lights I use Flashpoints by Adorama. They are probably along the same weight as the White Lightenings but I really like them. I got them with the case so I can carry two cases with all 4 of my lights, stands etc without any problems.

dmvphotos · Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 2158 Location: Virginia, USA

Thanks Dave! I have never used Pocket Wizards outside of my instruction with Laurin. I am afraid to buy them without understanding how they work...Can you give me a link to a good instructional video? I have a new e-mail address and website due to the issues I had with AOL and am getting ready to message you now :D

markrhiggins · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 1996 Location: Australia

Hi . I use these
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pixel-TR-332-Flash-Trigger-2-Receiver-fr-Canon-TTL-F210-/300545048091?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraFlashUnits_JN&hash=item45f9e17e1b

They give ettl on the canon. The nikon will work well with pocket wizards. The canon system gives out two flashes not one and creates problems with optical sensors and some radio slaves.

hhltdave5 · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 6:53 am

markrhiggins · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 1996 Location: Australia

the canon flash system has two flashes. The first measures exposure the second exposes the shot. To have ettl the system has to work the same. Some remote triggers just set off the flash and not meter for the canon. Some cheap units go off on the first flash and do not synch. Others go off but do not meter. This is ok if you want to adjust your own exposure. The old canons used to use one flash per exposure and could use optical slaves. For studio flash you could have them set for optical trigger, not so with current canons (they won't synch).The ones I bought have a long range and do ettl.

bhaslam · Joined: 21 Aug 2007 Posts: 156 Location: Salt Lake City, UT

I use the Cybersyncs by Paul Bluff. I use them with my speedlights and old Novatron lights. They have been great for me. They will work with anything using the right cables and for me the price was right. No doubt the Pocket Wizards are great and the standard for triggers/receivers at twice the cost. PW has there new line that can use the TTL of Canon and Nikon. Of course the price goes up even more.

Some guys use RadioPoppers but most end up with PW.

Good luck and let us know what you get.

dmvphotos · Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 2158 Location: Virginia, USA

Thank you all for the links and the personal experience information!! I'm going to do a little reserch ... okay maybe more than a little LMAO...before I decide. I want to purchase for ease of use and versatility ...but also want to get the most bang for my buck :)

rinder99 · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:23 pm

Pocket Wizard is the industry standard. Hands down.I've had them all since they came out. never an Issue and I've had students that use every camera made.

dmvphotos · Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 2158 Location: Virginia, USA

So while I was doing some research I came across this thread:

http://photocamel.com/forum/lighting-technique/8281-pocket-wizard-vs-alien-bee-white-lightning-remote-controls.html

Can anyone tell me if I am reading this correctly....It seems that the only way to use pocket wizards with the AB/WL flash units I must also purchase a wired remote control from Paul C. Buff website....

I am reading articles and forum posts that seem to contradict each other, and am worried I am going to purchase something that will not work with my equipment.

Thanks in advance,
Marlene

markrhiggins · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 1996 Location: Australia

I use the flash synch cord on the side of the camera with my second strobe set off by it optical slave. For indoors the optical slave on the second/third lights is the easiest solution. I was not sure the pocket wizards worked on shoe with strobes on the canon but they prob do. With the strobes of course ttl flash and camera communication is not required and the pocket wizards should be fine.

dmvphotos · Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 2158 Location: Virginia, USA

rinder99 · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:46 pm

Thats coorect. PW does not come with that cord. the reason is. theres to many options. I had a set of WHT Lightning when they first came out. And I would be shocked if PW didn't work with them.1/4 goes into the strobe head and 1/8 goes into the PW reciever Transmitter goes on your hot shoe.Im not familiar with the new WHT Lightnings but every Monolight on the market works with Pocket Wizards. and If you care about durability and always working. I personally wouldn't settle for less. Been there and done that.

dmvphotos · Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 2158 Location: Virginia, USA

felix_casio · Joined: 16 Jul 2006 Posts: 1774 Location: www.felixtm.com

+1 for cybersyncs.