Pocket Wizard package/Kit?

[nutsnbolts]

How much am I expecting to spend to accomodate this equipment?

580ex and 430ex
40D and XTI

I want to make sure I'm purchasing the right combinations.

[Curtis N]

To fire both flashes off-camera without using the Canon wireless system, you need three of these (one for the camera and one for each flash):
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/441353-REG/Pocket_Wizard_801125_Plus_II_Transceiver_Radio.htm l
Total $566.85 plus shipping

To connect them to your flash units, you will need two of these:
http://flashzebra.com/wizardcables/hotshoe.shtml
Total $39.00 plus shipping

If that's too rich for your blood, the Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal system might be a viable option for about half the cost. You'll still need the hotshoe adapters.

[ben_r_]

How much am I expecting to spend to accomodate this equipment?

580ex and 430ex
40D and XTI

I want to make sure I'm purchasing the right combinations.
To fire those three with PWs youd be looking at the following:

3 x Pocket Wizard Plus II @ $190/EA
2 x FlashZebra Hot Shoe to Pocket Wizard Adaptors @ $20/EZThat would give you a PW on each of the two flashes with the hot shoe adapter to fire them and one PW on one body at a time to fire the flashes.

So youre grand total would be around $610. PW are a large initial investment but trust me youll never switch once you have them and love them everytime you use them!

[nutsnbolts]

Curtis:

To fire both flashes off-camera without using the Canon wireless system, you need three of these (one for the camera and one for each flash):
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...r_Radio.htm l
Total $566.85 plus shipping

1. You said I need 3 of these? Did you mean 4?

1 for each camera = 2
1 for each flash = 2

I just want to make sure.

2. RE: Canon Wireless System? This route or the PW route? Couldn't I save some money by using the Canon Wireless System? What are the advantages and disadvantages in foregoing by not using the Canon Wireless System?

[Curtis N]

If you want to use both flash units and both cameras at the same time, then you'll need four pocketwizards.

There is a way to fire the 580EX via pocketwizard, and let it fire the 430EX via Canon wireless (infrared) system. That will save you one PW and one adapter, but your shutter speed will be limited to 1/125 and that system has limitations on distance and line-of-sight, especially outdoors.

[nutsnbolts]

If you want to use both flash units and both cameras at the same time, then you'll need four pocketwizards.

There is a way to fire the 580EX via pocketwizard, and let it fire the 430EX via Canon wireless (infrared) system. That will save you one PW and one adapter, but your shutter speed will be limited to 1/125 and that system has limitations on distance and line-of-sight, especially outdoors.

Ahh perfect! Well explained. 4 pw's will probably be around 800 then. Do they sell discounted prices if you buy, X amounts? Any type of packages or do I have to buy them individually at no discount costs? Essentially, I'm looking for the best place to purchase them at the best price.

Lastly, what's the other multimax pw?

[ben_r_]

Curtis:



1. You said I need 3 of these? Did you mean 4?

1 for each camera = 2
1 for each flash = 2

I just want to make sure.

2. RE: Canon Wireless System? This route or the PW route? Couldn't I save some money by using the Canon Wireless System? What are the advantages and disadvantages in foregoing by not using the Canon Wireless System?
Yes if you want one on each camera then you would want four total, so add another $190 to the total. Now by Canons Wireless System you mean the ST-E2 right? That has its pros and cons... If you really like and/or need ETTL to work, then yea youre gonna need that ST-E2. If you are going to EVER shoot outside or ever have your flash a good distance away from your camera (say over 20 feet or so) or are ever going to be shoot in a large room, the IR that the ST-E2 uses will not work stably for you and be wishing for those PWs. The IR light has to be bounced around, and if youre in a large room with far away walls to be bouncing off of, or youre outside it probably wont work for you. And yes the PWs will work in all those situations and man more.

[ben_r_]

Ahh perfect! Well explained. 4 pw's will probably be around 800 then. Do they sell discounted prices if you buy, X amounts? Any type of packages or do I have to buy them individually at no discount costs? Essentially, I'm looking for the best place to purchase them at the best price.

Lastly, what's the other multimax pw?

Nope, no discounts in quantity. I just recently dropped the $800 on my set of four about two months ago and added to it the Sekonic L-358 light meter with the PW radio transmitter plug in module (so I can fire my flashes remotely with the light meter to do my metering), and a nice Lowepro case I found to hold them all snuggly and securely.

The Multimax PW does a couple of more advances functions that most would never use IMO. The two biggest would be the 32 channels as opposed to the 4 with the PW Plus II units and the flash zone firing feature. Now the extra channels would come in handy if you were working around other people with PWs so your channels dont cross, and for setting up the zone features. The zone feature I dont know too much about other than its come sort of grouping for lots of flashes if you have lots to begin with. There is also the confirmation feedback that the Multimax units give you. They actually tell you if the remote flashes fired okay. I dont know how useful that feature is as in most cases youd know if a flash fired or not anyway. The additional $110 for each Multimax does not bring enough features for me to upgrade. Id rather put the extra money into the light meter (either the Sekonic L-358or the L-558DR) or more lights.

[namasste]

To fire both flashes off-camera without using the Canon wireless system, you need three of these (one for the camera and one for each flash):
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/441353-REG/Pocket_Wizard_801125_Plus_II_Transceiver_Radio.htm l
Total $566.85 plus shipping

To connect them to your flash units, you will need two of these:
http://flashzebra.com/wizardcables/hotshoe.shtml
Total $39.00 plus shipping

If that's too rich for your blood, the Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal system might be a viable option for about half the cost. You'll still need the hotshoe adapters.

I listened to Curtis just today on this...bought the adapters from Flashzebra and Elinchrom Skyport Universals (1 transmitter 2x Receivers from MPEX). Total order came to $330. You could add another transmitter for another $100 and still be way ahead of the PWs. Ideally, I'd have gotten the PW's but for me, the range of 165' inside and al,ost 400' outside is more than adequate and negates the need to double my cash outlay for the PW's.

The other benefit (not named below) of the Skyports (or PWs) over the Canon's is that they allow you to use different flash guns rather than just Canon in case you ever switch around.

[ben_r_]

See this thread as there are some downsides to the skyports depending on how youre shooting... LINK (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=429444&highlight=Elinchrom+EL-Skyport)

[nutsnbolts]

I was going to save myself some money and go with the elinchrom but it seems like the PW's are the way to go unless, of course, you're strapped for money. I hate spending on something and "expect" to upgrade later on which usually never happens or really really further down the road. I'd like to get it right the first time. Hence, why I'm going with the PW's.

I can't say I'm a flash guru or lighting guru to be more exact and although the PW may be overkill for me, I don't want to learn more about it and be like, doh, I wish I had this or that.

Thanks for all your opinions. This clarifies a lot of things. I was under the impression that there was a kit version or packaged version where you can buy 2 PW or 3 or 4 depending on what you need and there would be some discount. Time to save up a bit more then.

[namasste]

See this thread as there are some downsides to the skyports depending on how youre shooting... LINK (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=429444&highlight=Elinchrom+EL-Skyport)


thanks Ben. Yeah, i read that but didn't think it was really conclusive against the Skyports. I know that I won't be using them at anything less than 1/8th for the gyms most likely which should help as the flash duration is longer. If they claim 1/1000 and I can't get 1/250, then back they go. Somehow, I can't see them making this type of claim if they weren't reasonably sure. Rene's test seem to validate 1/250 a bit I thought. Guess the proof will be in real world application. I'll be sure to post my thoughts and experience once I've used them. Should be mid next week.

Edit: I may have said that incorrectly, at 1/8th the duration is longer but will that help or hurt the delay if there is one?

[ben_r_]

Yea Im with you on that note. I hate buying with the intent to upgrade because all that does is lose me money on the resale and shipping and make me want what I should have bought in the beginning more. I just wait till I can afford the more expensive one of whatever it is I want so at least I can sleep better at night! lol

[Curtis N]

at 1/8th the duration is longer but will that help or hurt the delay if there is one?Studio strobes have a longer flash duration at low power levels, but battery-powered flash units have shorter flash durations at lower power levels. They use different technology to control the output.

In terms of syncing with the the camera, shorter flash duration is better. The dark area in the bottom of the frame is created if the flash is still producing light as the shutter begins to close. The bottom of the frame doesn't receive the full burst. A radio system that delays the flash will make this situation worse.

[nutsnbolts]

Yea Im with you on that note. I hate buying with the intent to upgrade because all that does is lose me money on the resale and shipping and make me want what I should have bought in the beginning more. I just wait till I can afford the more expensive one of whatever it is I want so at least I can sleep better at night! lol

I know exactly what you mean. I kick myself over and over. I'm happy with a purchase but I'm not...always wishing I got the "better" one!

[ben_r_]

I know exactly what you mean. I kick myself over and over. I'm happy with a purchase but I'm not...always wishing I got the "better" one!

Yep, exactly! Perfect example: I just ordered the 17-40mm f/4L lens and the last time I went back and forth between f/4 and f/2.8 was with the 24-70 and the 24-105. After owning both of those lenses I decided I liked the 24-70 and f/2.8 a LOT better... Now after placing the order I am feeling like its going to be the same old thing all over again between the 16-35mm f/2.8L II and the 17-40mm f/4L except the price difference this time around is twice the price. At least I knew what I should do when I bought the 70-200 and went right to the f/2.8L IS. :)

[nutsnbolts]

Yep, exactly! Perfect example: I just ordered the 17-40mm f/4L lens and the last time I went back and forth between f/4 and f/2.8 was with the 24-70 and the 24-105. After owning both of those lenses I decided I liked the 24-70 and f/2.8 a LOT better... Now after placing the order I am feeling like its going to be the same old thing all over again between the 16-35mm f/2.8L II and the 17-40mm f/4L except the price difference this time around is twice the price. At least I knew what I should do when I bought the 70-200 and went right to the f/2.8L IS. :)

That is hilarious! That is what I was referring and pretty much the same thing I went through.

I had that happen when I purchased the 70-200 f/4 IS USM and I had sleepless nights thinking about if I should have gotten the f/2.8 IS

I have purchased the 17-55 f/2.8 EF-S (I love these lens btw) but when I purchased my second body, I was debating whether I should go with the 24-70 or the 24-105.

Don't even get me started with the 16-35 and 17-40.

Now I'm just gonna get f/2.8 lenses with the red ring! Oh which reminds me aside from the flash, I just went over the hump of Elinchrom versus PW! :D

Decisions decisions decision! You know if you really think about it, many of these decisions would be so simple if we had deep pockets!

[ben_r_]

You know if you really think about it, many of these decisions would be so simple if we had deep pockets!

Oh of course it would. But Im sure it would just bring new ones too. I really think though being that the 16-35 is twice the price I am going to force myself to work with, keep and like the f/4 of the 17-40.

[str8six]

I'm considering buying the PW's too. While I'm at it I wanted to get the cord that would allow me to fire a camera remotely. That is - have one PW on the body on tripod set up and trip the shutter via the other PW. Anybody know where I can get the cord that goes from 5D or 1D3 to PW?

Regards,
Len B

[str8six]

Why not fire off one flash with a PW and the other 2 or 3 flashes sitting on remote flash triggers? Saves on # of PWs needed. $$.?

thanks again,

regards,

http://www.amazon.com/Vivitar-SL2-Remote-Trigger-237019/dp/B00009UTWJ

[PacAce]

I'm considering buying the PW's too. While I'm at it I wanted to get the cord that would allow me to fire a camera remotely. That is - have one PW on the body on tripod set up and trip the shutter via the other PW. Anybody know where I can get the cord that goes from 5D or 1D3 to PW?

Regards,
Len B

You would need something like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/198049-REG/Pocket_Wizard_804511_Pre_Trigger_3_Pin_Canon.html

Or, you can make one yourself from a Canon or aftermarket wired N3 remote release cable.

[PacAce]

Why not fire off one flash with a PW and the other 2 or 3 flashes sitting on remote flash triggers? Saves on # of PWs needed. $$.?

thanks again,

regards,

http://www.amazon.com/Vivitar-SL2-Remote-Trigger-237019/dp/B00009UTWJ
Not sure which post you're replying to but if you're talking about the flash which the OP has, the 580EX and the 430EX, just about all optical triggers do not work with those two flash units.

[str8six]

Thanks for your help Leo.

I tried the Vivitar SL-2 (linked above) with the 580EX and 580EX II tonight and they both seem to work.

If I could make do with just ordering 2 PW's and use the two SL-2's that I already have to fire 3 flashes remotely, instead of 4 PW's and cord/hotshoes, that would sure be preferred.