Looking at PocketWizards but need some advice

[jaybird]

I just scraped enough cash to purchase a couple more CF cards, an upgrade to PE7.0 and a new backup USB hard disk. Since I am using my new 5DMII and my wife is using the 5D, we do go through CF cards quickly :)

Since the price of the hard disks and CF cards has fallen quite a bit, I can afford to look at getting PocketWizards and get my 580EXII off the hotshoe! My Sekonic lightmeter is already compatible with the Pocketwizards.

The questions is: with the new Pocketwizards out for Canon, would it work if I bought two of the new FlexTT5s? I would mount one in the camera hotshoe and the other on the flash unit.

[tenoverthenose]

My advice is to do a search and see the results that others are having with the new Flex & Mini units. Granted you are not in the US, the operating frequencys will be different and produce different results, but I would recommend the PW II's over the Flex in their current state (and I have both).

[jaybird]

Thanks. I've been looking at the PWIIs as well, but being able to separate channels might be useful.

I've read that there may be problems with the new Flex and Mini units, and some people are saying that's why they are not currently shipping from places like B&H.

I would likely be buying from the States, or Canada, and having the units shipped here. I can't even find decent lighting equiment here if I don't want to spend about 5x what it costs in North America.

I'm looking for something that I can use to trigger my flash off of the body, remotely, and potentially my camera with a flash on it. Before leaving Kenya this summer I am hoping to be able to get back to the Saruni lodge in Samburu. I know the owner as my wife and I were his first guests when he opened the lodge in Samburu. There's a leopard that goes to drink at the pool of the lodge every morning and I would like to setup the camera and fire it remotely.

[Mike R]

I went with a mini for the camera and the II plus for the strobes. The mini is back ordered. The II plus are about $169USD and there aren't any issues with them. I'll also be using a Sekonic L-358 meter which can fire the strobes as long as you have the $50 RF module in it

[jaybird]

Are the IIPlus transcievers or receiver only? My meter has the RF module, that's why I was leaning towards PocketWizards instead of another brand. I don't think that the IIPlus used ETTL, does?

I may have to just go with IIPlus units as all the suppliers of the Flex and Minis seem to not have them available yet.

[Mike R]

The II Plus is a transceiver but doesn't use ETTL. At fist I wanted the new Flex but thought that when I use them, It will be with umbrellas and my L-358 so I don't need the ETTL and the II plus are a lot cheaper.

[gromeo]

There's a leopard that goes to drink at the pool of the lodge every morning and I would like to setup the camera and fire it remotely.

If you are looking to trigger the camera remotely, I would recommend getting the Plus II, I tried the MiniTT1 to trigger my MultiMaxes and Plus II and the distance was very inconsistent past 15 yards using any one of these combos, The Plus II's and MM's worked consistently at the same distance, I returned the Mini and will stay with the Plus II or MM for now.

[jaybird]

That's why I'm leaning towards the Flex instead of the Mini. There isn't much difference in cost but it has that stand-up antenna for more range. I don't want to be 15 yards from a leopard when the flash goes off :) I figured the two Flex units would allow me to utilize ETTL and still give me some good range. Mind you, I did read that they were having some issues with the Mini and Flex units and the 5DMII with a mounted flash unit.

My problem is that I can't return anything very easily because I get things shipped to Canada, and then they are re-packaged and shipped to me here in Kenya. It's a long round-trip back if I don't like them.

[dkspook]

FWIW, I just did a quick and dirty range test of the Elinchrom Skyport system:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=671101
Don't know if 400 feet is enough range for shooting leopards, but the Skyports are about half the price of the Plus II's and a lot more compact :)

[jaybird]

400 feet would be more than enough. I just didn't like the sound of 15 yards. If the flash scares him, or pi$$es him off, I want to be a little further than 15 yards :)

Thanks for the link. That's crazy distance you've gotten with the skyports. I'm going to see if they are available on B&H.

There wouldn't really be anything out there to interfere with the signal. Anything that requires electricity either runs on batteries or the diesel generator

[dkspook]

400 feet would be more than enough. I just didn't like the sound of 15 yards. If the flash scares him, or pi$$es him off, I want to be a little further than 15 yards :)

Thanks for the link. That's crazy distance you've gotten with the skyports. I'm going to see if they are available on B&H.

There wouldn't really be anything out there to interfere with the signal. Anything that requires electricity either runs on batteries or the diesel generator


UPS just dropped off a box from B&H at my door today - containing an extra Skyport Receiver, among other things. They have 'em :)

No matter what you end up getting, be sure to post your results! Wildlife, in the wild, but with controlled lighting... Sounds like it could really turn out awesome!

[jaybird]

I broke down and got the Pocketwizards from www.henrys.com Since they are already in Canada I won't have to worry about Canada Customs delaying the package. I won't have them in time to test them in Loisaba next week :( It would have been fun to mount the flash unit on an extensible pole or the front bumper of the truck.