School me on PW's and Cybersyncs

[CliffordPhotography]

I dont have any lighting except a few flashes. 580s do okay setup but the OCF doesnt seem to fire all the time through IR.

I keep reading of Pocketwizards and cybersyncs. Ive read and read, but all it has done is confused me.

Could some one tell me what I need for the camera and 2 flashes (umbrellas, softboxs when they come)

If you have part numbers that would make it a lot easier.

I thought for sure that i would figure it out when i looked at cybersyncs on their webpage but that didnt work out to well either it seems.

TIA
Kevin

[Paul Li]

Uh..1 transmitter, 2 recievers?

Links..
one of these http://alienbees.com/cybersync.html#cst

two of these http://alienbees.com/cybersync.html#csrb

[gh patriot]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=732872

[Titus213]

If you want/need to retain ETTL function on your flash units the newest PWs are the ones you will need - Flextt or some such. If you don't need ETTL and are OK with manual flash either the standard PWs or Cybersyncs will work.

For cost/performance reasons I use Cybersyncs. PWs are about $100 more each than Cybersyncs but have greater range. Cybersyncs work out to 300+ feet. You will need a transmitter for the camera and a receiver for each flash.

The Cybersync models are the CST and the CSRB. The models with suffix of + are for a yet to be released transmitter that allows remote control of power levels on Alien Bee studio strobes.

[CliffordPhotography]

Uh..1 transmitter, 2 recievers?

Links..
one of these http://alienbees.com/cybersync.html#cst

two of these http://alienbees.com/cybersync.html#csrb


This was my confusion on their page...

Your links are the exact same thing though different URL's

I think Ive figured it out though now.

[CliffordPhotography]

If you want/need to retain ETTL function on your flash units the newest PWs are the ones you will need - Flextt or some such. If you don't need ETTL and are OK with manual flash either the standard PWs or Cybersyncs will work.

For cost/performance reasons I use Cybersyncs. PWs are about $100 more each than Cybersyncs but have greater range. Cybersyncs work out to 300+ feet. You will need a transmitter for the camera and a receiver for each flash.

The Cybersync models are the CST and the CSRB. The models with suffix of + are for a yet to be released transmitter that allows remote control of power levels on Alien Bee studio strobes.

Thank you for a useful reply.

[jbergdoll]

PW's=godly
CyberSyncs=meh

[elzzimc]

made me laugh

[gh patriot]

PW's=godly
CyberSyncs=meh

PW flex equals crap on 580ex II
Cybersync on 580ex II equals :)

[Titus213]

PWs = $170 each
Cybersyncs = $70 each

[jbergdoll]

PW flex equals crap on 580ex II
Cybersync on 580ex II equals :)
PW Plus II > *

[bzimmermann]

So why PWs or Cybersyncs ? Are you going to trigger your strobes from so far away that you do not see them ?
Just buy yourself a couple of ebay triggers such as for example CTR 301 or Cactus 4 They are very reliable and you can have 4 receivers and a trigger for the price of one Cybersync only. I even do not mention PWs.
I have a fes V2s, which are an older model and never gave my any problems. The newer ones ( see above are reported to be even better )
If you ever go professional and will want to look kool with pocket wizards handing from your equipment you can always sell the ebay triggers for almost what you bought them for.

[jbergdoll]

Ebays will only cause unnecessary headaches. They are $30 for a reason, because they are JUNK.

[RacingMoose]

Thought I'd jump in here with another brand...

What are the opinions of the Calumet Radio Trigger/Receiver? This could be another inexpensive option.

[johnaengus]

I just got to use my pocket wizards with my 5D2 and 580II. For the first real time today on some on location portraits. With the ETTL, they are amazing. I can't post anything now as I only have the BlackBerry internet right now.

I'd say I had a 5% missfire rate. Some may be my fault. The rest were spectacular.

I will say, thay aren't exactly plug and play. It takes some tinkering for the configuration to work properly. But now my setup works slick.

[bzimmermann]

Ebays will only cause unnecessary headaches. They are $30 for a reason, because they are JUNK.
Yes, this is an unquestionable argument :-)
Just read what people say about Cactus V4 and CTR 302. For me evern V2s worked perfectly fine.

[jbergdoll]

Yes, this is an unquestionable argument :-)
Just read what people say about Cactus V4 and CTR 302. For me evern V2s worked perfectly fine.
I don't need to read them, I owned 4 friggin V2s receivers and each one would work great for a month, and then I'd lose range, and then it'd just poop out. This was after spending over $25 on replacement batteries as an attempted fix, and resoldering all the connections after each one died.

[bzimmermann]

I don't need to read them, I owned 4 friggin V2s receivers and each one would work great for a month, and then I'd lose range, and then it'd just poop out. This was after spending over $25 on replacement batteries as an attempted fix, and resoldering all the connections after each one died.
Hmm. Just returned from a photoshoot. 350 shots and not a single misfire. You must have gotten defective units.

[elzzimc]

I had a HORRIBLE experience with V2's.

[tnguyen600]

Read this thread. Some guy was asking about it not too long ago. There are links for what you need within the thread. I even posted a link for umbrellas/stands/brackets etc.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=730719

[jbergdoll]

Hmm. Just returned from a photoshoot. 350 shots and not a single misfire. You must have gotten defective units.
Correct. Each model that comes out of the factory is destined to be defective.

[zelseman]

Another one here for the overall performance of the cybersyncs! I have briefly used the Cactus triggers and simply the feel of the triggers made me run to the hills.
The performance of Cybersyncs and the affordability drew me in, but the customer service of the company kept me there.