Pocket Wizard

[Double Diamond]

Has anyone used the Pocket Wizard to remotely trigger a camera. I was in Las Vegas last week and went to a highly recommended camera store to purchase one. The person in the store told me that they could only be used to set off flash devices not camera. I explained that I thought that they could also be used to simply trigger a camera and they said no, only flashes, so I left without one.

Pocket Wizard's website seems to indicate that they can be used to trigger a camera by connecting the receiver to the remote control terminal on the camera using a cable that can be purchased from them (or I assume a person could make one).

What I am wondering is has anyone ever used a Pocket Wizard and if so have you used it to trigger the camera?

[CyberDyneSystems]

I found this discussion,. it may have the asnwers your looking for;

http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=6389

And I found this quote;
On the subject of camera shake, it really helps to have a remote cable release and a sturdy tripod/sandbags. I used a pocket wizard pair as my remote release so I didn't have to touch the camera to trip the shutter. Overkill? Maybe. Convenient? Definitely.

Here;
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/1106

[DwightMcCann]

Well, I've read and read and still am not sure what cable I need to go from my Pocket Wizard to my 1D Mark II to trigger the camera! Wouldn't it have to go in the same receptacle that my remote shutter release goes into? Does this receptacle have an official name? Or is there some other input on the camera that will trigger the shutter.

[Todd Jacobsen]

I currently own the PW Multimax units.

I believe all PW's have a flash and camera ports which are interchangeable, but PW recommends utilizing the ports for the specific purpose. If there does exist PW's with one port, I believe this also applies.

The PW's usually ship with a short sync cable which is supposed to work with your flash.

To work with your camera, you need to purchase a specific mini-phone cable to match your camera's remote port (20D/10D it's the 3-pin (80N3); DRebel it's the single pin (60N)). There are TWO types of cable one can purchase:

1) Generic Mini-phone -to- camera port cable (camera specific)
2) Pre-trigger (Pre-release) cable (camera specific)

Both types of cables can be purchased from B&H or Paramount cable. On B&H, Search for Pocketwizard or Pre-trigger. On paramount, suggest searching for "Pre-Release".

The generic model is cheaper. The NEGATIVE problem with this cable is that your camera can turn off and you cannot wake it back up without going to the camera.

The Pre-trigger (or Pre-release) cable allows you, via a switch to set the cable to "generic" or "Pre-Release" settings. The Pre-Release setting keeps your camera "on" allowing you to continue to shoot. The Pre-Release setting will burn more battery.

I own the Pre-Release cables but I believe your only REAL utility is not changing your menu setting. If you change your menu setting upon setup, the generic cable should work fine. I didn't think the savings was worth it so I bought the more expensive cables. Hind sight, I believe it was wasted money (since I probably could just change the menu setting and get same effect).

[slin100]

There are two types of cables. One is called a "Motor Drive cable". The other is called a "Pre-Trigger cable". Either cable will work. The difference is that the Pre-Trigger cable has a switch that can simulate a half-button press, which will eliminate any delays caused by autofocusing.

B&H (http://bhphoto.com) carries them. Look for "Motor Cords". Paramount (http://www.paramountcords.com) also carries motor drive cords (but no pre-release cords).

[Todd Jacobsen]

There are two types of cables. One is called a "Motor Drive cable". The other is called a "Pre-Trigger cable". Either cable will work. The difference is that the Pre-Trigger cable has a switch that can simulate a half-button press, which will eliminate any delays caused by autofocusing.

B&H (http://bhphoto.com/) carries them. Look for "Motor Cords". Paramount (http://www.paramountcords.com/) also carries motor drive cords (but no pre-release cords).

Paramount was the only place I could locate the miniphone-to-hotshoe cable (for remote canon flash outside IR range)

[slin100]

Paramount was the only place I could locate the miniphone-to-hotshoe cable (for remote canon flash outside IR range)
Same here. I have one and it's great. Very sturdy.

[lostdoggy]

Has anybody tried the new wireless flash trigger by Tamrac???

[gmen]

These threads might be of interest:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=55030&page=1&pp=20&highlight=remote

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=75557

[desertrat_ps]

Has anyone used the Pocket Wizard to remotely trigger a camera. I was in Las Vegas last week and went to a highly recommended camera store to purchase one. The person in the store told me that they could only be used to set off flash devices not camera. I explained that I thought that they could also be used to simply trigger a camera and they said no, only flashes, so I left without one.

What I am wondering is has anyone ever used a Pocket Wizard and if so have you used it to trigger the camera?

It appears that the salesman does not know his products. PW's can be used to trigger the camera and strobes. The only difference is the cable used. PW's cables can be expensive, and many dealers are out of stock. There is a source for Pre-trigger cables http://canooncable.com. The Pre trigger cables keep the camera awake at all times.

[GenEOS]

PAramount cords, although a bit pricey, are very well built. I have the hotshoe to mini plug variety from them. I plan on later, when $$ allow, to by a pre-trigger cable from them. The PW's will work like a champ firing the camera's too. You will find that setting up these rigs gets expensive quick. But very fun.

[mjordan]

I have used my Pocket Wizard receiver on my 10D a number of times to remotely fire it. It works great except for the mentioned issue of keeping the camera awake. I have the pre-trigger cable and a few times when I have used it, it drained the battery before I knew it. Also, with the pre-trigger in pre-trigger mode (you can turn it off) you don't get an view image on the LCD after you shoot. When I was shooting remotely, getting the quick flash of image on the LCD after each shot was good for a conformation that I did get a shot. If you have the regular cable or turn off the pre-trigger and put your camera on the longest wake period it has (or turn it off so it's always on if you have that) and then half press the button every now and then, it should work pretty well.

To trigger the Pocket Wizard I use either the transmitter PW or my Sekonic L-358 flash meter with the transmitter module. I wish Pocket Wizard built a small transmitter (like a car door flob) that I could use. Some times the PW or L-358 are a bit big and obvious in my hand. I would think that it wouldn't be hard to build a small remote that isn't much bigger than the transmitter module that goes into the L-358 flash meter.

Mike

[kerickpd]

I'm interested in the same set up.

Has anyone used this cable?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pre-Trigger-Cable-for-PocketWizard-replace-CM-N3-P_W0QQitemZ180170897057QQihZ008QQcategoryZ43443QQc mdZViewItem

[DwightMcCann]

I'm interested in the same set up.

Has anyone used this cable?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pre-Trigger-Cable-for-PocketWizard-replace-CM-N3-P_W0QQitemZ180170897057QQihZ008QQcategoryZ43443QQc mdZViewItem


I'd be interested to know considering they are a small fraction of the cost of the more "famous" brands.

[gromeo]

Dwight

I bought the same one listed on ebay, it did not keep the camera in the awake mode so I did miss some shots, I would have to push my trigger device twice one to wake up and to fire, I ended up buying the PW pre trigger and this has worked great keeps camera awake and no delay time.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/198049-REG/Pocket_Wizard_804511_Pre_Trigger_3_Pin_Canon.html

I will take some pics of my set up and post here

[asimplefarmer]

what I know is that pocket wizard camera trigger cable is like $112

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/192960-REG/Pocket_Wizard_804501_CM_N3_Canon_EOS_Motor.html

[DwightMcCann]

what I know is that pocket wizard camera trigger cable is like $125
The straight cable is about $113 but the pre-trigger cable (on which the pre-trigger can be turned off) is about $80 ... odd, but true. I am sure they are gouging mercilessly on both.

[gromeo]

At least Canon did not change the connection pin between the MKII/n and the MKIII and the same cables can still be used, since I plan on upgrading as soon as I know all the fix is in place on the MKIII's

[DwightMcCann]

At least Canon did not change the connection pin between the MKII/n and the MKIII and the same cables can still be used, since I plan on upgrading as soon as I know all the fix is in place on the MKIII's
Amen!

[Gatorboy]

Either of these cords will work:
http://www.paramountcords.com/proddetail.asp?prod=canonpretrig-ws
http://www.paramountcords.com/proddetail.asp?prod=canonpretrig

I just used a remote setup for an equestrian event on 10/14:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2114/1578115714_7e4dfa5f73.jpg

[primoz]

If you are at least a bit handy you can easily make it on your own :) I'm far from handy craftsman and I managed to do it myself. Take old cable trigger (to get 80N3 connector which goes to camera), go to store where they sell electronics and get stereo (or if you don't need af, mono will do too) jack. Then remove plastic with button on cable trigger and instead of that, put there mono/stereo jack. That's it :) Once you remove that plastic (sorry my English is far from perfect, so I don't know how to call that right way, but I hope you know what I mean), you will see it's pretty simple thing.

[Aaagogo]

i'm in the midst of breaking apart my ebay audit cable remote and trying to figure out the wiring for the 3 contact point, common, focus and shutter wires

then trying to splice a connector so that you can plug in PW from

the 1 thing i've realized is that the "original" PW cable is a mono plug. and the remote is a stereo plug. i know u can go from stereo to mono but no vice versa right...

meaing, my connection can only be common and shutter, qn is, will focus be a always on in the mono plug or will it be disabled.

[zpetschek]

Has anyone used the Pocket Wizard to remotely trigger a camera. I was in Las Vegas last week and went to a highly recommended camera store to purchase one. The person in the store told me that they could only be used to set off flash devices not camera. I explained that I thought that they could also be used to simply trigger a camera and they said no, only flashes, so I left without one.

Pocket Wizard's website seems to indicate that they can be used to trigger a camera by connecting the receiver to the remote control terminal on the camera using a cable that can be purchased from them (or I assume a person could make one).

What I am wondering is has anyone ever used a Pocket Wizard and if so have you used it to trigger the camera?

I have used a multimax to trigger my camera. I believe the Plus II can as well although I am not positive. The catch is that you also have to purchase a cord that costs about $120 in addition to the Pocket Wizard. With the Multimax you have options like delay and multipop that are customizable. http://zachpetschek.com/Zach-Petschek-Remote-in-hand.jpg
Playing with remote triggering.