Another flash or go Pocket Wiz?

[delhi]

OK I need to expand with some directional lighting. I currently have a 550ex. Initially I wanted Pocket Wiz + (BH $188) but I would need two which means the price will be $380ish. For that kinda coin, I can get a 580ex. I'm in a dilemma. Any words of wisdom?

[PacAce]

If you're going to be working indoors, then getting another 580EX and using ETTL wireless remote would make the 580EX a better option than two PW units.

However, if you expect to do any outdoor shoots, working with the IR based ETTL wireless remote configuration may be problematic on a bright and sunny day. On top of that, you're working distance between the master and the slaves is decreased substantially. It's 26-32 feet (8-10 m) outdoors versus 32-42 feet (12-15 m) indoors.

[Curtis N]

How 'bout a Sunpak 383 and a slave sensor. You could get the whole works for around $100.

[canonpink]

How 'bout a Sunpak 383 and a slave sensor. You could get the whole works for around $100.

What is the guide and zoom for the 383?

[Curtis N]

What is the guide and zoom for the 383?GN=120 feet, 35mm coverage, no zoom.
My review here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=242847).

[FlashZebra]

If you could afford one Pocket Wizard, you can likely afford the new Elinchrome Skyport radio slave set.

The Skyport set costs about the same as one Pocket Wizard.

The Skyports are getting good reviews and seem to be reliable, the range is a few hundred feet, not 1/4 mile like the Pocket Wizard.

You may want to read this recent thread that deals with the Skyports (don't let the thread title fool you).

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=372340

Enjoy! Lon

[canonpink]

GN=120 feet, 35mm coverage, no zoom.
My review here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=242847).

Not bad. I don't know why I haven't thought of the Sunpack before. I will check out your review Curtis.

By the way, I love that quote from Scott. Every time I hear a Nikonian defend their stuff, I tell them about this.

[FlashZebra]

The Sunpak 383 has about the same power as Canon 580EX, yet costs about 1/5 as much.

If you are hanging Pocket Wizards or other radio slave devices to external flash units, the Sunpak 383 is a very viable alternative to the much more expensive Canon EX flash units. With a radio slave attached, all those spiffy ETTL feature evaporate anyway.

Two Pocket Wizards and a Sunpak 383 flash together cost roughly the same as one new 580EX II flash.

A Elinchrom Skyport set and a Sunpak 383 would be significantly less expensive than a Canon 580EX II.

Enjoy! Lon

[delhi]

How 'bout a Sunpak 383 and a slave sensor. You could get the whole works for around $100.


what is a slave sensor? how do i get on? Sunpak works too. I am no brand whore. What will I miss vs. a canon unit? can my 550ex work with it?
And it will be mostly outdoors during lowlight conditions.

[Curtis N]

I'm referring to a simple optical slave that attaches to the flash foot (or through a sync cord if the flash has one) and fires the flash when it "sees" the light from the master unit.This thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=308108) and the accompanying PDF file outine your options for using flash units off-camera. It might be worth a read. The thread includes links to various products including optical slaves.

If you are firing an off-camera flash through any means other than Canon's wireless E-TTL system, then it really doesn't matter what brand of flash unit you use. But they all have their limitations so refer to the aforementioned PDF file.

As for the Sunpak 383, you can read my review here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=242847).