Cheap radio trigger brand recommendation

[JohnCollins]

I've been looking at simple flash radio triggers and the units sold through camera stores generally range from $150-300. The triggers I see on eBay are really, really cheap. Makes me nervous.

I don't need anything fancy, I'd just like a simple trigger for one AB, letting the rest flash on slave. I have a Digital Rebel XT. Are the cheapos on eBay reliable? Does anyone have a particular brand they've used they're particularly happy with?

The only thing worse than wasting a lot of money on an expensive trigger would be wasting money on a cheap one first, then getting the expensive one.

Thanks!

John

[cosworth]

The ebay ones work up to 50-100 feet depending on model.

I have used my pocketwizards up to 1000 feet.

Do you need that distance? I'm sure not. Buy the ebay ones and if they don't work you're out $40. No biggie.

[Ineedhelp]

Always interested in the responses to threads like these. I'm still worried about the voltages of some of these triggers cause I have a 350d.

[FlashZebra]

Always interested in the responses to threads like these. I'm still worried about the voltages of some of these triggers cause I have a 350d.
You might want to check out this thread, I have a couple of posts in the thread that relate to the inexpensive radio slaves.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=213814

I personally tested many of the 25 inexpensive radio sync sets I purchased. All had sync voltages just under 6 Volts. After I tested about 15 sets, I stopped testing them and assumed they were OK. They had been advertised as having sync Voltages less than 6 Volts.

6 Volts would definitely be safe for almost any camera, and safe for any recent Canon camera.

As an aside, the sync Voltage of any flash device is very easy to test. All you need is a meter and a couple of minutes.

Then the guessing is over.

Enjoy! Lon

[deadpass]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=008&item=180021529673&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1

that's the one I have, I use it with my AB800s and it works great so far, plus it's powered from the wall outlet so the only battery you have to worry about is the transmitter.

[ofdphoto]

I'm happy with my cheap eBay 16-channel radio trigger. I've heard some 'bad copy' stories, but most eBay sellers will replace them no worries. Just make sure you have spare batteries ;-)

[FlashZebra]

Since I think the possibility of a return is a bit higher with these inexpensive radio slaves many goods, it might be a good idea to buy from an ebay merchant that ships from your own country.

Then if a return is needed, the shipping rigor (and time) can be minimized.

Enjoy! Lon

[JohnCollins]

Well, ordered one from Photogearok. Hope it works! I also got a slave trigger for my 580EX, since it will be freed up now. We'll see what trouble I can get into that way ;) .

[FlashZebra]

Well, ordered one from Photogearok. Hope it works! I also got a slave trigger for my 580EX, since it will be freed up now. We'll see what trouble I can get into that way ;) .
Are you sure the slave trigger you got for the 580EX and the slave trigger you got for the Alien Bees from Photogearok are compatable (My assumption is one for your 580EX was from some other merchant)? If so, it is very likely they are not compatable.

Edit: I just realized that if you use the optical slaves on the Alien Bee units, the radio slave units will not have to be compatable.

Enjoy! Lon

[JohnCollins]

Hahah. I'm confusing even myself, Lon. I'm going to use the radio triggers for the ABs. The thing I got for the 580EX is an optical flash shoe thing. Hopefully I can do some damage with it.

JPC

[FlashZebra]

Hahah. I'm confusing even myself, Lon. I'm going to use the radio triggers for the ABs. The thing I got for the 580EX is an optical flash shoe thing. Hopefully I can do some damage with it.JPC
My assumption was that you purchased another radio slave of a second type (they make nice units with a hotshoe on the receiver).

Many on this forum indicate that function with the Canon Speedlights and optical slaves is spotty. I cannot comment, I do not own a Canon Speedlight.

The Canon Speedlights do not seem to work with some of the inexpensive optical slave units (like the Hama unit). Others indicate they can get function with other types of optical slaves. One human indicated they used a Metz optical slave with a Canon Speedlight and it worked fine.

If the one you purchased looks like this you might have a problem (note Canon compatability problem note at bottom of ad). I think several market the same unit or very good clones of the same unit.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=163363&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Enjoy! Lon

[JohnCollins]

Ooops. Didn't see that disclaimer at eBay. Fortunately, I think it was one third the price on eBay. Things seemed to be a lot more standardized when I was a kid.

John