Off camera flash- Canon or Pocketwizards

[Tom Camilleri]

I want to experiment with multiple flash. Should I go with Canon ST-E2 and a couple of 580EX Speedlites, or Pocketwizards? Are A,B zones and ratios supported by Pocketwizards? Would the Canon system be more intuitive and automated with ETTL II? I will be upgrading to a 40D.

[Dream Merchant]

Depending on how you're going to use them.

I've used both before (PWs very limitedly) and all I can say is the ST-E2 is a great but very limited in actual use, whereas the PWs are simply awesome for just about most applications even under demanding circumstances.

Do a search in here and you'll find a lot of information on both.

CHEERS!

[ben_r_]

Big price difference between the two...

[Rudeofus]

Pocketwizards don't support any E-TTL features, they're just flash triggers telling the flash to fire at a preset power setting. If you use PW, you have to manually set up flash power. The ST-E2 allows you to use E-TTL features, however, since it is IR based and not RF based like the pocketwizard people have mediocre results outdoor.

If automatic exposure control is important to you, you should take the ST-E2 and go the E-TTL route. In a few months you may get radiopoppers (http://www.radiopopper.com/) to use E-TTL outdoors.

If outdoors suitability and long distance range are more important to you, pocketwizards (or other, cheaper radio triggers (http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/home.php)) are the way to go. Note, that there won't be an upgrade option for E-TTL.

[Tom Camilleri]

Big price difference between the two...

Yeah, the Pocketwizards are a bit pricey for playing around with.

[Tom Camilleri]

Depending on how you're going to use them.

I've used both before (PWs very limitedly) and all I can say is the ST-E2 is a great but very limited in actual use, whereas the PWs are simply awesome for just about most applications even under demanding circumstances.

Do a search in here and you'll find a lot of information on both.

CHEERS!

Thanks for insight. My present environment is indoors and pretty controlled, but I wouldn't want to limit myself.

[Tom Camilleri]

Pocketwizards don't support any E-TTL features, they're just flash triggers telling the flash to fire at a preset power setting. If you use PW, you have to manually set up flash power. The ST-E2 allows you to use E-TTL features, however, since it is IR based and not RF based like the pocketwizard people have mediocre results outdoor.

If automatic exposure control is important to you, you should take the ST-E2 and go the E-TTL route. In a few months you may get radiopoppers (http://www.radiopopper.com/) to use E-TTL outdoors.

If outdoors suitability and long distance range are more important to you, pocketwizards (or other, cheaper radio triggers (http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/home.php)) are the way to go. Note, that there won't be an upgrade option for E-TTL.

Thanks for insights. For the best of both worlds I might start with just a couple of 580-EX-II Speedlites. From what I've read here, one can be used as a master with all the functionality of the ST-E2. If I want to add the radiopoppers later, I can.

[ben_r_]

What about using the Alien Bees ones that are 39.99? Would those work for this application?

[Tom Camilleri]

What about using the Alien Bees ones that are 39.99? Would those work for this application?

They probably would. I'm using hot lights indoors to do shots against white and colored background paper. I think flash would yield better results, plus it would be much easier to shoot without tripod. I checked B&H and they don't seem to carry the item you mention. Will google it.

[transcend]

Wizards are pretty much the standard. I have never had one misfire, batteries last forever and the range is ridiculous.

The canon IR system is crap outdoors, and even sometimes indoors as the flashes have to be facing each other. The AB transmitters have very limited range.

You get what you pay for.

[rhys]

I have a setup of 4x EX flashes and an STE-2. I did think about Pocket Wizards but decided in the end it just wasn't worthwhile right now.

In terms of cost...

I already had a 420EX. I wanted a 580EX2 anyway so I could use it for weddings and keep my 420EX as backup.

That meant I already had two flashes.

If I were to set up a PW system then as canon flashes don't play well with much else, I'd have had to get 4x Sunpak flash units, 1x PW rx/tx pair and 3x optical slaves. That would have cost me probably the same as a 430EX and a 580EX which is what I later purchased. I paid another $200 for the luxury of ETTL. I think it was worthwhile.

[AB8ND]

I'd look into the RadioPoppers, they are supposed to be including the E-TTL feature to their remotes. http://www.radiopopper.com/

Jack

[rhys]

I'd look into the RadioPoppers, they are supposed to be including the E-TTL feature to their remotes. http://www.radiopopper.com/

Jack

But they're not in the shops so they don't exist. They might just possibly be manufactured and be available although as manufacturing won't start until next year at the earliest, there's no telling when or if this will happen.

[transcend]

I have a setup of 4x EX flashes and an STE-2. I did think about Pocket Wizards but decided in the end it just wasn't worthwhile right now.

In terms of cost...

I already had a 420EX. I wanted a 580EX2 anyway so I could use it for weddings and keep my 420EX as backup.

That meant I already had two flashes.

If I were to set up a PW system then as canon flashes don't play well with much else, I'd have had to get 4x Sunpak flash units, 1x PW rx/tx pair and 3x optical slaves. That would have cost me probably the same as a 430EX and a 580EX which is what I later purchased. I paid another $200 for the luxury of ETTL. I think it was worthwhile.

Canon flashes work perfectly well with Wizards, I use 550exs with them all the time. Or did I misunderstand you?

[bieber]

Pocket Wizards, IMO, are the way to go, along with cheaper, older flashes (I absolutely LOVE my old Nikon units). Now, I would like to have a bag full of Radio Poppers and 580EX II's, just for the ability to use high speed sync, but considering that the radio poppers don't exist yet, the 580EX II's cost around 3 times as much as my Nikon speedlights, and the range is only a fraction of what the Pocket Wizards are capable of, I'll stick to the PW's.

[windycity85]

Elinchrom Skyport Universal Trigger Set.

Supposedly rated along-side Pocket Wizards but for half the price. I intend on getting these for Xmas. Any input on these is more than welcome.

[vic6string]

If you aren't in a rush to get started, I'd wait (and I am waiting) to see the radiopopper. I finally got around to checking out the site, and it sounds really good. You could go the Canon flash route now, and in-studio should be fine. For outdoors, or broader range, though, the concept behind the radiopopper is really cool.

[bieber]

Elinchrom Skyport Universal Trigger Set.

Supposedly rated along-side Pocket Wizards but for half the price. I intend on getting these for Xmas. Any input on these is more than welcome.

They're definitely not right along-side Pocket Wizards, but they do look like very capable Radio Triggers, especially if you're planning on mostly indoor/studio use. If you can't scrounge up the cash for PW's, go ahead with them, but you won't regret it if you can.

[transcend]

Elinchrom Skyport Universal Trigger Set.

Supposedly rated along-side Pocket Wizards but for half the price. I intend on getting these for Xmas. Any input on these is more than welcome.

They work well indoors, but they don't offer anywhere NEAR the range of wizards.