Pocket Wizards on Sale at B&H!

[Converge]

Just picked up 2 PW Plus II's at $170 each versus the original price of $189.00. Not that much off but it makes a difference if you are seriously considering getting them.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=441353&is=REG

[TMR Design]

Superb!!! Gotta love those Pocket Wizards!!!!

[Clark]

What would all be needed to use a pocket wizard to fire a 580 Ex and a 430 Ex?

[TMR Design]

Hi Clark,

To fire a Canon Speedlight (not including the new 580EX II) you need a hot shoe adapter (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=89982&is=REG&addedTroughType=search) that has a PC socket or 1/8" (3.5mm) jack.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/89982.jpg

The pocket wizard cable will then plug into the PC connector on hot shoe adapter and feed sync to the adapter and the flash.

I'm not a big fan of the PC connector interface so I replaced the PC male connector with a 1/8" (3.5mm) jack and I can use standard 1/8" to 1/8" plug cables.

[winky]

I have 4 Strobe. How many pocket wizard would I need? Or is their a less costly way?




(Learning Strobe Lighting)

[Clark]

Hi Clark,

To fire a Canon Speedlight (not including the new 580EX II) you need a hot shoe adapter (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=89982&is=REG&addedTroughType=search) that has a PC socket or 1/8" (3.5mm) jack.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/89982.jpg

The pocket wizard cable will then plug into the PC connector on hot shoe adapter and feed sync to the adapter and the flash.

I'm not a big fan of the PC connector interface so I replaced the PC male connector with a 1/8" (3.5mm) jack and I can use standard 1/8" to 1/8" plug cables.


Thanks Robert, that's not wireless then?
Just wondering, rather new to multi-flashes

[TMR Design]

I have 4 Strobe. How many pocket wizard would I need? Or is their a less costly way?

Hi Winky,

If youre strobes have buit-in optical triggers then you need two Pocket Wizards. One for the camera and one on the first of the four strobes. The others will fire when the first one fires. If your strobes do not have optical triggers then you need a Pocket Wizard for each strobe.

[TMR Design]

Thanks Robert, that's not wireless then?
Just wondering, rather new to multi-flashes

Hi Clark,

This is something that is often misunderstood. Think about it.... if the Pocket Wizard receives a wireless trigger how is it going to fire the strobe? What is happening is that you're eliminating the cables between your camera (and/or meter) and the strobes but the Pocket Wizard still needs an electrical connection to the strobe to fire.

So you would have one Pocket Wizard sitting on the hot shoe of your camera and the other is attached to or hanging from the strobe across the room. The Pocket Wizard uses a short cable to connect its flash output to the sync jack on your strobe. Now when you trip the shutter it fires the PW on the camera, transmitting to the PW receiver, and firing the strobe.
Wireless refers to the Camera to Lights being wireless.

[winky]

Hi Winky,

If youre strobes have buit-in optical triggers then you need two Pocket Wizards. One for the camera and one on the first of the four strobes. The others will fire when the first one fires. If your strobes do not have optical triggers then you need a Pocket Wizard for each strobe.

Thanks very much! I have a Alien bees RingFlash and three AlienBess 800s they just arrived Friday evening, I haven't had a chance to use them yet or to read the manuel I haven't even unpack them. So two pocket wizards is what I need?

[TMR Design]

Yes indeed. 2 Pocket Wizards will do it.

The only reason you would require more than 2 PW's is if you were shooting outdoors or on location where range or misfires due to other photographers was an issue. In that case you would want a PW on each strobe and in the event of another PW photographer nearby you could change the channel to operate on a different frequency.

[winky]

Thanks TMR Design, The info was a great help. Thanks again.

[TMR Design]

My pleasure winky. Any time :D

[winky]

Also I fail to mention that I also order a sekonic L758 light meter.

[Clark]

Hi Clark,

This is something that is often misunderstood. Think about it.... if the Pocket Wizard receives a wireless trigger how is it going to fire the strobe? What is happening is that you're eliminating the cables between your camera (and/or meter) and the strobes but the Pocket Wizard still needs an electrical connection to the strobe to fire.

So you would have one Pocket Wizard sitting on the hot shoe of your camera and the other is attached to or hanging from the strobe across the room. The Pocket Wizard uses a short cable to connect its flash output to the sync jack on your strobe. Now when you trip the shutter it fires the PW on the camera, transmitting to the PW receiver, and firing the strobe.
Wireless refers to the Camera to Lights being wireless.

Ok, I got ot now.
And sorry to th OP for high-jacking his thread.
I do have another question about pocket wizards, I see in some arenas photographers using them to fire the strobes in the ceiling, I may have a media pass for some events and wonder if all you need is a pocketwizard for the strobes?

[Converge]

Ok, I got ot now.
And sorry to th OP for high-jacking his thread.
I do have another question about pocket wizards, I see in some arenas photographers using them to fire the strobes in the ceiling, I may have a media pass for some events and wonder if all you need is a pocketwizard for the strobes?

When I shoot at big arenas, those strobes in the rafters are owned by say a big local newspaper or something.

Theoretically, yes, if you found what channel they were on, you would physically be able to use them.

Ethically, if i was on assignment for my newspaper and saw some dude using my strobes to get shots when i come rolling in, id be a bit pissed.

[TMR Design]

Also I fail to mention that I also order a sekonic L758 light meter.

Life is bliss with the Sekonic L-758DR and Pocket Wizards. :D

[Clark]

When I shoot at big arenas, those strobes in the rafters are owned by say a big local newspaper or something.

Theoretically, yes, if you found what channel they were on, you would physically be able to use them.

Ethically, if i was on assignment for my newspaper and saw some dude using my strobes to get shots when i come rolling in, id be a bit pissed.

Thanks, I understand that. These are owned by the arena.
If I have this chance I may contact them to see their policy.

[Converge]

Thanks, I understand that. These are owned by the arena.
If I have this chance I may contact them to see their policy.

Oh hell yeah! If the arena owns them and they are for use, MOS DEF use them. Hopefully they say yes