In reference to the Sekoni L-558...

[Crash758]

If I want to fire my 550EX on my camera wirelessly to measure the light being emitted on my subject, then is the radio transmitter that goes in the battery cover all I need?

If I want to fire a flash or multiple flashes off the camera remotely, then I would need the pocket wizard to go along with the transmitter above?

Just trying to figure this out. Thanks for any help you can give me.
Mike

[slin100]

If I want to fire my 550EX on my camera wirelessly to measure the light being emitted on my subject, then is the radio transmitter that goes in the battery cover all I need?

No. The 550EX is triggered by a proprietary infrared signal. If you want to trigger it with a Sekonic flash meter installed with the radio transmitter module, you will also need a Pocket Wizard receiver. But you'll also need a Pocket Wizard transmitter for the camera. See below.

If I want to fire a flash or multiple flashes off the camera remotely, then I would need the pocket wizard to go along with the transmitter above?

The transmitter in the Sekonic is only good for triggering the flashes in order to meter the light. You can't use the Sekonic to trigger the flashes when taking the actual shot. You will need at least one transmitter and one or more receivers. You can get by with one receiver to trigger one flash and use optical triggers for the other flashes, assuming your environment allows for it (i.e. private studio).

[scottbergerphoto]

The radio module in Sekonic meters is for the Pocket Wizard system. It will not fire a 550EX in wireless ETTL. You can purchase a Canon hot shoe to Pocket Wizard plug cord from www.paramountcords.com, and use this to attach a 550EX to a Pocket Wizard receiver and use the flash in Manual Mode.

[Flash/hot shoe------miniplug cord/Pocket Wizard Receiver] works as one manual wireless unit.
Scott

[Crash758]

"The transmitter in the Sekonic is only good for triggering the flashes in order to meter the light. You can't use the Sekonic to trigger the flashes when taking the actual shot."

Steven, what you are saying is I can trigger the Sekonic to meter the light before taking the shot without the pocket wizard, but I need the pocket wizard to trigger it to take the actual shot.

Mike

[Crash758]

[quote="scottbergerphoto"]The radio module in Sekonic meters is for the Pocket Wizard system. It will not fire a 550EX in wireless ETTL. You can purchase a Canon hot shoe to Pocket Wizard plug cord from www.paramountcords.com, and use this to attach a 550EX to a Pocket Wizard receiver and use the flash in Manual Mode.

Scott, are you referring to actually taking the photo or just firing the flash to meter?

Thanks, Mike

[slin100]

Scott,

Perhaps a section on off-camera flash is needed in the Flash FAQ. The section should detail various options: Corded
Get female hot shoe from Paramount Cords (http://www.paramountcords.com).
Wireless[list:c2ae95571a] ETTL
One of ST-E2, 550EX or 580EX as master
Radio
Pocket Wizard and Quantum Freewire
Optical
Wein Infrared transmitters and optical triggers

[/list:u:c2ae95571a]

[slin100]

Steven, what you are saying is I can trigger the Sekonic to meter the light before taking the shot without the pocket wizard, but I need the pocket wizard to trigger it to take the actual shot.
Yup! When taking the shot, the triggering of the flashes needs synced to the camera's shutter. There's no way connect the Sekonic meter to be triggered by the camera, although that would have been a nice, albeit clumsy, feature.

[Crash758]

Thanks for your help, Steven. I think for now I will get the 558 with the module in the meter, and then buy the pocket wizard later. At least I will be able to meter the light from the flash and manually set the settings in the camera.

Mike

[slin100]

Sounds good. I'm not trying to make the decision harder but there is a $30 rebate for a Pocket Wizard Plus kit, plus B&H has it on sale for $309.95. Go to http://www.bhphoto.com and enter PPE118 in the search box.

Better hurry. I think the sale ends very soon. The rebate is available through the end of December.

[Crash758]

Cool. I usually buy my stuff through B&H, so I will take a look tonight.

Mike