Pocketwizard Flex & Mini in Europe?

[Hermes]

I'd really like some ETTL compatible triggers and I'm also intrigued by the hypersync feature which would by a big plus if I can combine it with my skyports.

Is anyone in Europe using the new pocketwizards and if so, have you found anywhere that sells them locally or have you had to import them from the US yourself?

More broadly, does anyone know if/when they will be released over here and if they'll work on a different frequency to the US versions as is usual with PW. TIA

[MR do little]

Hi Hermes!

A few people in Sweden that have imported them (bought from B&H) No problem reported thus far from what iv seen, then again very few have them.

The EU version will as usual be CE and not compatible with the US version.

Latest iv heard is end of July, before that it was end of June.. you get the picture.

Kindest

[Hermes]

Thanks Paul.

If we're only talking a matter of weeks until the CE versions are out then I'll definitely wait as I've just read on the PW site that they won't service triggers outside of their proper zones of operation. With all the reported problems Id much rather have the option of returning them easily or getting them serviced. Also quite pleased about my decision to go with 550EXs at the moment as I've just read on the site that even the old 580EXs and the new 430EXII suffer from the RF interference issues.

[MR do little]

I dont know if the latest "word" is gonna prove to be true, but i would estimate in august, and i would wait especially if already have PW CE units.

I wont have any problem with RF noise since i dont use Canon speedlights. :-) Only reason for me to get the new PW (for Nikon) is HS.

Kindest

[zaathrus]

I wouldn't be tempted to get USA ones for Europe as they will most likely fall foul of the various regulations surrounding wireless transmission.

[MR do little]

They will, however the the risk of getting "caught" is minimal. But as i said when and if i get a new PW it will be CE since i want to play with my current PW's.

Kindest

[zaathrus]

I agree (and the caution was for anyone that might be tempted, not anyone in particular :) ). However, it would suck if you ended up with interference just because it was on a reserved frequency for something else! (Not an issue on 2.4GHz of course). And, yeah, I wish they'd arrive already!

[Hermes]

I just looked at the radiopopper site to see if they might be a better alternative and I nearly fell off my chair when I saw they were charging more than PW. Not to mention the fact that they only have US versions too.

[MR do little]

I just looked at the radiopopper site to see if they might be a better alternative and I nearly fell off my chair when I saw they were charging more than PW. Not to mention the fact that they only have US versions too.

Yea they arent free thats for sure. :D

Did you see the "what the pro says" Radio popperPX "review" linked on their site ?

9minutes of a dude testing the new pw...:rolleyes:

[Hermes]

I emailed PW to see if there was any update and the response was that the CE units would be out sometime in the next few weeks. They're still not saying anything concrete but surely they wouldn't give such a close estimate if they weren't pretty-much ready to ship?

Also, any thoughts on whether the minis are worth getting at all when the price difference is so tiny? I'd be using them at events where my setup would already be heavy (two 5Ds with, grips, 550EXs, battery packs, L lenses e.t.c.) so I'm thinking that the convenience of using AAs and being able to use the FLEXes as receivers on other occasions might outghweigh the size/cost differences. Anyone used the FLEX on-camera and found the size/weight to be an issue?

[k_strecker]

Also, any thoughts on whether the minis are worth getting at all when the price difference is so tiny? I'd be using them at events where my setup would already be heavy (two 5Ds with, grips, 550EXs, battery packs, L lenses e.t.c.) so I'm thinking that the convenience of using AAs and being able to use the FLEXes as receivers on other occasions might outghweigh the size/cost differences. Anyone used the FLEX on-camera and found the size/weight to be an issue?

I started out using a flex as a transmitter, but the mini sooooooo freaking small, it's beautiful.

When using a flex on-camera you'll get your best range in portrait position by flipping the antenna back up so it remains vertical. That's the biggest reason to go for a Mini imo.

The coin cell lasts a looooooong time. I used it for over 4500 shots in the last two days, and used it for hundreds if not a thousand or more since buying it. The light's still blinking green and PW utility *says* I have a lot of battery power left. Meanwhile 1 flex has needed new AAs, and the second is getting close. Granted, they'd use less power in transmitter mode, but the coin cell's no slouch.

The size really is noticable. Unless you have a use for 1 extra transciever specifically (to add another studio strobe and have triggered by an older pw transmitter, for example.) go for the mini.