Worst to Best Radio Triggers

[Jamesino]

Could someone provide me with a list from the worst to best radio triggers available?

For example, at the bottom of the scale we would have those eBay triggers and at the top, pocketwizards. What about the ones in the middle?

[jeromego]

Could someone provide me with a list from the worst to best radio triggers available?

For example, at the bottom of the scale we would have those eBay triggers and at the top, pocketwizards. What abut the ones in the middle?
For the ones in the middle: there's the Cybersync from Alienbee, Skyports from Elinchrom and Radio Poppers.

[Benji]

I have been using the same system for about 25 years and the only problem I've ever had was one time I dropped the transmitter on concrete and knocked the radio frequency off. I sent it back to Quantum and within a week it was back and working great. I have the Radio Slave 4. Quantum has a newer version, the 4i, http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&N=0&gclid=CJ7H-d3imZ4CFaM45QodS23upA&A=endecaSearch&Q=&Ntt=quantum%20radio%20slave%204i ($354.00)

One thing I really like about them over the Pocket wizard is they don't have that hideous antenna sticking up where you are likely to whack it against something and break it off (or the mount to the hot shoe.) The transmitter is slightly smaller than a pack of cigarettes but thinner. The transmitter lays horizontally rather than vertically making it less of a "target" to be broken off.

Benji

[TheFloridaShooter]

This should be a very interesting topic. The next additional to my camera equit. I currently have a ST-E2 but for outside remote flash it's a crap shoot.

[gonzogolf]

Keep in mind that few of us have tried all of those so any ranking will be based on reputation and anecdotal information. Here is pretty much how I would rank them.

ETTL systems
Radio Poppers PX series
Pocket Wizards Mini and Flex
Radio Popper P1 series
ST-E2

Non ETTL
Pocket Wizard 2
Cybersyncs
Skyports
Radio Popper JRX
Cactus V4 and similar
Cactus V2 and similar

I dont know the names and numbers of the various hong kong/ebay triggers that seem to be variations on the cactus lines with subtle variations in design and quality control. Anything on the list below the radio popper JRX I view with a certain amount of skepticism because I have found the cybersync and that class to be flawless.

[Digger]

Its really subjective to what is middle of the road and the best. I have personally used PW, Cybersyncs, Bowens/calumet, the quantum units and the cheap ebay 16 channel triggers.

For non-ettl systems I really like and am currently using the Bowes/Calumet units. I think they are just as good as the PW but they are about half the size and 30% less if not more. Just like the PW they are transceivers so anyone can be used for either job, and they have multiple channels (24 if i remember correctly), they have a reach of about 200 feet, multiple inputs.

So IMO the bowens are just as good, maybe better (considering everything), than the PW but if you are labeling the PW as tops then the bowens would be a close close second.

I have never used the ettl units so I can not comment

[Jamesino]

E-TTL triggers allow you to retain the ETTL function of speedlights, correct?
There is no point of using them to trigger studio strobes right?

[gonzogolf]

E-TTL triggers allow you to retain the ETTL function of speedlights, correct?
There is no point of using them to trigger studio strobes right?

Correct. If you are going to trigger studio strobes I would suggest cybersyncs or the radio popper jrx.

[Digger]

1. Yes
2. I think some of the newest strobe system are incorporating ettl into there design hence the need for e-ttl triggers

[gonzogolf]

1. Yes
2. I think some of the newest strobe system are incorporating ettl into there design hence the need for e-ttl triggers

RE #2, which, where?!!

[Seanzky]

1. Yes
2. I think some of the newest strobe system are incorporating ettl into there design hence the need for e-ttl triggers

That'll be the day!

When Canon finally puts an e-TTL transmitter built-in the body and receiver built-in the speedlights.

[Digger]

Yea I thought (keywords think and thought) I read somewhere that it was elinchrom or quantum or lumedyne had it wirelessly, but after a quit check I was wrong, which my wife will mark on her count.

[gonzogolf]

I didnt really think so, only because studio lights have a purpose of delivering light consistency based on the settings you dial in. Ettl adjusts exposure to fit changing circumstances. And neither the twain shall meet :)

[Wilt]

Should differentiate [camera triggers] vs. [flash triggers] vs. [triggers of flash or camera]