Pocketwizards VS skyport elinchrom

[icestrike]

not so sure whether this been discussed b4 ,

am using elinchrom skyports to trigger my head strobes and flash strobes.
but some features of the pocket wizards are attracting me
such as the wireless triggering of the sekonic lightmeter, or the triggering of another cam body.

so still deciding whether should i change to pocketwizards.
appreciate any inputs from u guys.
thank you. ;)

[scot079]

All those features ave their price. PWs are too expensive for what they offer IMHO.

[GerBee]

Agree there.

They have a single design philosophy which makes them a kludge to adapt, and whilst the transceiver route is admirable, it only seems to serve a cheaper mass production ethos than a considered universal application product.

Mine are proving rather large and cumbersome so I'm still reaching for my cheap and cheerful Chinese RF-04/PT-04 for my mixed bag hand flashes.

But I bought PWs for the extra range and remote camera triggering and if I were building a studio today, I'd certainly buy the PW built in offerings and one MultiMax for some impressive setup.




All those features ave their price. PWs are too expensive for what they offer IMHO.

[Mick_I]

I forget what meter do the PW's match with again?

[scot079]

Sekonic L758 has a built in TX and L358 has an optional TX available.

[Curtis N]

Using Skyports you need to press two buttons: One on the meter (in cordless flash mode) and one on the Skyport transmitter test button.

With PocketWizards and a PW module you only need to press one button. For about $475 (two PW+II and the Sekonic module) you can save the use of one finger.

With a Skyport receiver on each light, you can trigger them individually via separate groups. To do this with PocketWizards you'll need the Multimax model which will cost significantly more money.

[PacAce]

not so sure whether this been discussed b4 ,

am using elinchrom skyports to trigger my head strobes and flash strobes.
but some features of the pocket wizards are attracting me
such as the wireless triggering of the sekonic lightmeter, or the triggering of another cam body.

so still deciding whether should i change to pocketwizards.
appreciate any inputs from u guys.
thank you. ;)
If you already have the SkyPorts, it would make more sense to just keep those and get an extra transmitter to use with the meter. It won't be as convenient as having the Tx unit built into the meter but it'll still do that job.

As for firing a remote camera, you can do that now with what you already have (of course, you'll need a release cable, too, for the camera). The only time you would need more is if you also intend to wirelessly fire a remote flash also, in which case, you would need another reciever. Again, having to deal with two units might be a little inconvenient but it'll get the job done.

[PacAce]

Using Skyports you need to press two buttons: One on the meter (in cordless flash mode) and one on the Skyport transmitter test button.

With PocketWizards and a PW module you only need to press one button. For about $475 (two PW+II and the Sekonic module) you can save the use of one finger.

With a Skyport receiver on each light, you can trigger them individually via separate groups. To do this with PocketWizards you'll need the Multimax model which will cost significantly more money.

Curtis, Curtis, Curtis. Tsk, tsk tsk. I'm disappointed with you. :confused:

2 PW II + Sekonic module = $427.85 at B&H.

To get the same uses from the Skyport that the OP was considering, you need:

2 SkyPort Tx + 2 SkyPort Rx = $395.80 at B&H.

That's a difference of only $32.05.

If anybody were starting from scratch, I wouldn't hesitate recommending a PW over a SkyPort no matter how expensive people thing the PW units are, assuming they want to do more than just trigger a flash unit. ;)

[nutsnbolts]

Curtis, Curtis, Curtis. Tsk, tsk tsk. I'm disappointed with you. :confused:

2 PW II + Sekonic module = $427.85 at B&H.

To get the same uses from the Skyport that the OP was considering, you need:

2 SkyPort Tx + 2 SkyPort Rx = $395.80 at B&H.

That's a difference of only $32.05.

If anybody were starting from scratch, I wouldn't hesitate recommending a PW over a SkyPort no matter how expensive people thing the PW units are, assuming they want to do more than just trigger a flash unit. ;)

He is still probably in holiday mode.

[Angel_LCD]

Curtis, Curtis, Curtis. Tsk, tsk tsk. I'm disappointed with you. :confused:

2 PW II + Sekonic module = $427.85 at B&H.

To get the same uses from the Skyport that the OP was considering, you need:

2 SkyPort Tx + 2 SkyPort Rx = $395.80 at B&H.

That's a difference of only $32.05.

If anybody were starting from scratch, I wouldn't hesitate recommending a PW over a SkyPort no matter how expensive people thing the PW units are, assuming they want to do more than just trigger a flash unit. ;)

If you are not planning on using your triggers only on Elinchrom flashes you buy the Universal Skyport set and that is $ 184.95 + extra receiver $ 99.95 total at $ 285.90.

Links :
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/505381-REG/Elinchrom_19360_EL_Skyport_Universal_Radio_Slave.h tml
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/505377-REG/Elinchrom_19351_EL_Skyport_Radio_Slave_Transmitter .html

and the Skyports are much smaller ;)

The pressing one button instead of two can also be solved by using the PC cord thats in the set hooking it up to your Skyport sender ;)

[Curtis N]

2 PW II + Sekonic module = $427.85 at B&H.
To get the same uses from the Skyport that the OP was considering, you need:
2 SkyPort Tx + 2 SkyPort Rx = $395.80 at B&H.
That's a difference of only $32.05.
Ok, my number was a bit off, but I'm not following you with regard to the components needed.

To fire a single strobe (leaving the rest to slave) you could use
1 PW on camera, 1 PW on flash, and 1 PW module in the meter. $427.85
or
1 Skyport set, plus an additional transmitter for metering convenience. $284.90

Adding an additional receiver to each option would bring you to
Three PW+II (one for camera and two for strobes) plus Sekonic module = $616.80
or
Two Skyport Tx/Rx sets = $369.90

In practical use, the Skyport transmitter slips off the camera hotshoe easily enough that using a single transmitter for metering and shooting is quite convenient. If the camera is hanging around your neck it's even easier. So for someone building a kit on limited funds, a single Skyport Rx/Tx set at $184.95 is very useful.

With a second receiver, the Skyport system trumps the PW+II units with four selectable groups. I can meter the main and fill lights separately and collectively with the flip of a switch on the transmitter, without taking a step. A Skyport set plus an extra receiver costs $288.90, and you can't do this with PW+II, no matter how many units you buy.

I won't deny the superior range and triggering speed of the PocketWizards, nor their well-earned reputation for reliability. They are the superior product in these respects. But for the studio shooter, the Elinchrom Skyports have some advantages in both price and versatility which make them the logical choice for a lot of people.

[icestrike]

thank u guys for the replies
am quite interested in the L358 sekonic
manage to get a good reasonable deal of a 2nd hand one, but first, have to sell off the skyport..hmm..
still decidin shld i..hmm

yupp
good thing bout sky port is that its small and light in size
but
e problem is that i'm not using elinchrom strobes, but bowens.
so not realli using the skyport to its fullest potential =S

[Curtis N]

problem is that i'm not using elinchrom strobes, but bowens. so not realli using the skyport to its fullest potential =SThe "universal" (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/505378-REG/Elinchrom_19352_EL_Skyport_Universal_Radio_Slave.h tml) Skyport receivers are similar to PocketWizards in the respect that they can't be used to adjust the strobe power, regardless of brand. On the other hand, the regular Skyport receiver (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/505379-REG/Elinchrom_19353_EL_Skyport_RX_Radio_Slave.html) can't be used with non-Elinchrom strobes or speedlights. It only plugs into Elinchrom strobes and has no battery.

[asysin2leads]

Thank you SO much for the information. I am teetering on whether to spring for the PWs or the Skyports. I've heard that the PWs are rather rugged, but I really like the smaller size of the Skyports.

[PacAce]

Ok, my number was a bit off, but I'm not following you with regard to the components needed.

To fire a single strobe (leaving the rest to slave) you could use
1 PW on camera, 1 PW on flash, and 1 PW module in the meter. $427.85
or
1 Skyport set, plus an additional transmitter for metering convenience. $284.90

Adding an additional receiver to each option would bring you to
Three PW+II (one for camera and two for strobes) plus Sekonic module = $616.80
or
Two Skyport Tx/Rx sets = $369.90

In practical use, the Skyport transmitter slips off the camera hotshoe easily enough that using a single transmitter for metering and shooting is quite convenient. If the camera is hanging around your neck it's even easier. So for someone building a kit on limited funds, a single Skyport Rx/Tx set at $184.95 is very useful.

With a second receiver, the Skyport system trumps the PW+II units with four selectable groups. I can meter the main and fill lights separately and collectively with the flip of a switch on the transmitter, without taking a step. A Skyport set plus an extra receiver costs $288.90, and you can't do this with PW+II, no matter how many units you buy.

I won't deny the superior range and triggering speed of the PocketWizards, nor their well-earned reputation for reliability. They are the superior product in these respects. But for the studio shooter, the Elinchrom Skyports have some advantages in both price and versatility which make them the logical choice for a lot of people.

I was just going by the feature the OP was taking into consideration in deciding to stay with the SkyPort or switch over to the PW and he mentioned 1) the ability to trigger with his light meter and 2) the ability to fire off his camera remotely. And I also made the assumption that he'd want the ability to fire the camera remotely as well as trigger his remote flashes. So that would require at least 2 PW II + 1 RF module or 2 SkyPort Tx units and 2 SkyPort Rx units.

[james048a]

For me and my budget i ended up ordering 1 Skyport Universal Tx&Rx kit and an extra Rx. Then for doing a camera remote trigger i found this: http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-Wireless-Release-Digital-Cameras/dp/B001127YGO/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1199817759&sr=1-13
For my light meter to start off with im going to connect a PC sync cord to the Skyport Tx on the camera. Later on down the road ill get anythere Skyport kit, and affix the Tx to the back of my Sekonic light meter (L-308b).

Update: just got them in. WOW these things are tiny. The charger is bigger then the units Lol.