RadioPoppers united!

[tangcla]

So, just wondering, there doesn't appear to be a RadioPopper thread... so I may as well make one.

Who has these?

http://www.tangcla.com/temp/radiopopper-1.jpg
http://www.tangcla.com/temp/radiopopper-2.jpg
http://www.tangcla.com/temp/radiopopper-3.jpg
http://www.tangcla.com/temp/radiopopper-4.jpg
http://www.tangcla.com/temp/radiopopper-5.jpg

[Rudi]

Hmmm... this will be interesting... :)

[Lotto]

Your gears look too clean and pretty , need to bang them a bit.. j/k :)

Congrats! Looking forward for your review.

[tangcla]

Your gears look too clean and pretty , need to bang them a bit.. j/k :)

Congrats! Looking forward for your review.
lol. They actually are pretty new in terms of age - they've been used a fair bit though. I try not to use adhesives, so that's why I'm not a fan of the Velcro, even... rubber bands ftw! :lol:

I tested them last night, about 30m through the house, through double brick walls. Getting a fair bit of loss but that might also have to do with the fact that the optic bead is not centred properly. Possibly.

[Lotto]

Yeah, that optic cable mount looks a bit suspect. I've done my shares of testing the radio triggers to see how many walls they could go through, even though knowing that I would never shoot that way, but it's fun :)

Is there a particular reason to mount Rx on the right side of the flash? I mean it looks like you have to reposition the Rx and the cable when changing the batteries.

[tangcla]

Yeah, that optic cable mount looks a bit suspect. I've done my shares of testing the radio triggers to see how many walls they could go through, even though knowing that I would never shoot that way, but it's fun :)

Is there a particular reason to mount Rx on the right side of the flash? I mean it looks like you have to reposition the Rx and the cable when changing the batteries.

Because I still have a CP-E4 :p and it's the claener side of the two. I could have done it on either side, really, but the battery side gives me more surface area for the RPs to stick.

[emtp563]

I thought Radio Poppers were suppose to be a less expensive alternative to Pocket Wizards. The RP route seems more expensive than the PW route. $188 for a RP transmitter, $188 for a RP receiver, plus the cost of an ST-E2. WTF? I'd rather have a set of PW's. The only benefit is ETTL with the RP's. Am I missing something here?

[Franko515]

I thought Radio Poppers were suppose to be a less expensive alternative to Pocket Wizards. The RP route seems more expensive than the PW route. $188 for a RP transmitter, $188 for a RP receiver, plus the cost of an ST-E2. WTF? I'd rather have a set of PW's. The only benefit is ETTL with the RP's. Am I missing something here?


+1 (but you dont need the ST-E2)

When are the cheaper units coming, I want 3 Poppers but not at $188 each

[DDCSD]

I thought Radio Poppers were suppose to be a less expensive alternative to Pocket Wizards. The RP route seems more expensive than the PW route. $188 for a RP transmitter, $188 for a RP receiver, plus the cost of an ST-E2. WTF? I'd rather have a set of PW's. The only benefit is ETTL with the RP's. Am I missing something here?

PW's and RP's are pretty much completely different products for completely different purposes. If you want/need ETTL, you get RP's. If you just want a radio trigger, you get PW's.

You may be thinking of the RP Jr's, which are supposed to be very cheap alternatives to PW's. They are just simple radio triggers, no TTL functionality. Supposed to provide about the same range as PW's but for less than $50 a unit. They are apparently still on the drawing board though.

[tangcla]

^ what Derek said.

RadioPoppers allow E-TTL functionality, at the sacrifice of 100% success hits and 1600ft ranges. Both have their pros and cons - for me, being able to adjust flash power on the fly without altering the flash, that's pretty useful.

[Franko515]

PW's and RP's are pretty much completely different products for completely different purposes. If you want/need ETTL, you get RP's. If you just want a radio trigger, you get PW's.

You may be thinking of the RP Jr's, which are supposed to be very cheap alternatives to PW's. They are just simple radio triggers, no TTL functionality. Supposed to provide about the same range as PW's but for less than $50 a unit. They are apparently still on the drawing board though.

Damit, I thought the cheaper models would still allow ETTL :cry:

Looks like I gotta buy the $188 units :evil: (well such is the life of a photog)

[NZDoug]

It wouldnt surprise me that the next generation Canon bodies have built in long range transmitters to 580EX2 etc as they gotta do something.
I would love poppers but think that their lifespan may be short.:p

[TheHoff]

I'm waiting for v2; I can't believe the first ones are bug-free or optimally designed yet.

So you don't get 100% fires? I thought they were just as reliable as PW.

[tangcla]

I'm waiting for v2; I can't believe the first ones are bug-free or optimally designed yet.

So you don't get 100% fires? I thought they were just as reliable as PW.

I think it's more an issue of the positioning of the end of the optical cable, where the IR receiver sits. I can see the link lights blink when I fire the flash from the ST-E2, so the RPs themselves are doing their thing fine. :p

[Vascilli]

I like the look of them. I wish they could just mount on the hotshoe though. Having a flash on is lame.

[TheHoff]

I like the look of them. I wish they could just mount on the hotshoe though. Having a flash on is lame.

It is the ST-E2 transmitter, not a flash on the hotshoe. It is necessary since it is still doing the E-TTL controlling. The RP unit just translates it into radio and transmits/receives the signal... it doesn't really speak E-TTL or know how to control anything.

[Franko515]

It wouldnt surprise me that the next generation Canon bodies have built in long range transmitters to 580EX2 etc as they gotta do something.
I would love poppers but think that their lifespan may be short.:p


Hey, come to think of it you may be right (hell makes sense in my mind).

Ok I really dont need em so I will wait.

[Franko515]

It is the ST-E2 transmitter, not a flash on the hotshoe. It is necessary since it is still doing the E-TTL controlling. The RP unit just translates it into radio and transmits/receives the signal... it doesn't really speak E-TTL or know how to control anything.

Wait, so u do need the ST-E2?

I thought I could hook one up to a 580EX II mounted on the hotshoe :confused:

[tangcla]

You can use the ST-E2 or the 580EX as master. Either way, you'll need a master device on the camera to trigger it.

[CliveyBoy]

An ST-E2 or an E-TTL Master-capable flash is required. (With the camera brand which uses I-TTL, the Command unit is built in, and that can be used by RPs.)

RadioPopper P1 or (soon) the P8 do not originate the E-TTL data stream, they simply intercept it and transport it in a better way than IR.

The RadioPopper Jnr will, when it is released, simply issue the instruction "Fire", just as a PC Synch cable, or an optical, IR or radio trigger does. No E-TTL, the user sets everything manually.

[Franko515]

You can use the ST-E2 or the 580EX as master. Either way, you'll need a master device on the camera to trigger it.

Thanks

An ST-E2 or an E-TTL Master-capable flash is required. (With the camera brand which uses I-TTL, the Command unit is built in, and that can be used by RPs.)

RadioPopper P1 or (soon) the P8 do not originate the E-TTL data stream, they simply intercept it and transport it in a better way than IR.

The RadioPopper Jnr will, when it is released, simply issue the instruction "Fire", just as a PC Synch cable, or an optical, IR or radio trigger does. No E-TTL, the user sets everything manually.

This really clears everything up, thanks

[tangcla]

As an update, I bought some optical cable from the local electronics shop in an attempt to extend the wiring so it's a bit neater. :)

[tangcla]

Tonight was the first 'real' outing with the RadioPoppers.

RPs - very happy. Definitely worthwhile, sync issues were negligible - the only problems I've had was with the cable coming loose and away from the IR pickup, but that's my fault.

[XterraJohn]

It wouldnt surprise me that the next generation Canon bodies have built in long range transmitters to 580EX2 etc as they gotta do something.

I don't think that I'll be holding my breath... :rolleyes:

[tangcla]

Photos with the RadioPoppers, 1/640s and 1/800s sync speed:

http://www.tangcla.com/photos/skyhigh_080921/images/IMG_5647.jpg
http://www.tangcla.com/photos/skyhigh_080921/images/IMG_5656.jpg

[pnmd]

Photos with the RadioPoppers, 1/640s and 1/800s sync speed:

http://www.tangcla.com/photos/skyhigh_080921/images/IMG_5647.jpg
http://www.tangcla.com/photos/skyhigh_080921/images/IMG_5656.jpg


Nice pics!

So do you STILL like the Radiopoppers? No buyer's remorse? ;)

Have you seen some of the P1 mods with the fiberoptic cable? Necessary?

http://www.erickochphoto.com/main/photo-highlights/radio-poppers-photo-geek-alert

I'm thinking about purchasing the RP's but have read some negative reviews however reviews are so user skill biased, IMO. For example, I read a few negative reviews about the BlackRapid camera strap, but now that I have it, I will never return to a regular strap!

Finally, have you considered the Hildozine pocket wizard caddy to attach the RP's?
Pocket wizards are similar in size to RP's.

BTW- I'm skilled with manual flash but ETTL is so convenient and quick! Extremely undervalued, IMO. And having hi shutter sync and on camera setting without having to walk about is a time saver.

Thx,
Peter :)

[tangcla]

Nice pics!

So do you STILL like the Radiopoppers? No buyer's remorse? ;)

Have you seen some of the P1 mods with the fiberoptic cable? Necessary?

http://www.erickochphoto.com/main/photo-highlights/radio-poppers-photo-geek-alert

I'm thinking about purchasing the RP's but have read some negative reviews however reviews are so user skill biased, IMO. For example, I read a few negative reviews about the BlackRapid camera strap, but now that I have it, I will never return to a regular strap!

Finally, have you considered the Hildozine pocket wizard caddy to attach the RP's?
Pocket wizards are similar in size to RP's.

BTW- I'm skilled with manual flash but ETTL is so convenient and quick! Extremely undervalued, IMO. And having hi shutter sync and on camera setting without having to walk about is a time saver.

Thx,
Peter :)
I haven't had much chance to test them much more, to be honest - most of the flash stuff I've been doing since then has been close-range stuff so it's serving as a nice bag weight for most of the time :p

I haven't needed any particular mods as of yet, I'll get some pics of how I've attached the optical cable so far... it's not pretty but it works :p

[Albert Street]

Photos with the RadioPoppers, 1/640s and 1/800s sync speed:

I'm so considering buying these just for that reason.

[tangcla]

As promised.

(Looking at it.... I should have taken the second photo from the other side :p)
http://www.tangcla.com/temp/radiopopper-6.jpg
http://www.tangcla.com/temp/radiopopper-7.jpg

[pnmd]

Found a favorable review wherein this pro captured some stunning pics employing high shutter sync and impressive bokeh. Leaning torwards getting the Radiopoppers... :cool:;)

http://planetneil.com/tangents/2008/09/09/review-radiopoppers/



http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/images/lighting-rp/ApathyAngel-069.jpg






http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/images/lighting-rp/ApathyAngel-047.jpg
1/500th @ f4 @ 100 ISO





http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/images/lighting-rp/ApathyAngel-105.jpg
1/250th @ f5.6 @ 200 ISO


http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/images/lighting-rp/ApathyAngel-065.jpg
1/2000th @ f1.4 @ 100 ISO

[Nor*Cal]

I use my Radio Popper triggers to shoot in manual and adjust via 580ex on the fly.

http://pforphotography.net/pgear/rp.jpg

http://vinylwurkz.com/amy7.jpg

[PacAce]

I moved the discussion about the rumored ETTL compatible PW to it's proper home:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=600120

[TMR Design]

Thanks Leo. Good call.

[PacAce]

Thanks Leo. Good call.

It was only fair. Besides, I didn't want to get this thread to get taken way off topic with the PW discussion.

[fpalitang]

It wouldnt surprise me that the next generation Canon bodies have built in long range transmitters to 580EX2 etc as they gotta do something.
I would love poppers but think that their lifespan may be short.:p

I used to think the same thing, but Canon would need to release separate flashes for countries that use different radio frequencies, no?

[tangcla]

The RadioPoppers failed me last night. I'm not sure why, I didn't have time to look into it at the time.

It was about 20 metres away, behind a stone column. By behind, I mean it was literally just around the corner from the column though.

[gkuenning]

Picking up the IR data stream is a horrible kludge. The "right" way to do it is to intercept the electronic signals coming through the hot shoe, send those by radio, and duplicate them at the far end.

If you do it right, you should be able to build something that works equally well on Canon and Nikon. But it might be more expensive. :-(