1 set of Pocketwizard firing 2 connected genesis 200's?

[hammer2k]

I just bought a set of Pocketwizards (PW) and want to set-off 2 genesis 200's without using the optical slave or buying a third PW. Is it possible to connect 2 genesis 200's to one PW transceiver using the following 2 items available at Radioshack?


(1) 4-inch Mono Y-Adapter
Model: 42-2437 | Catalog #: 42-2437
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102953


(2) 6-Ft. Shielded Cable, 1/8" Plug to 1/8" Plug
Model: 42-2420 | Catalog #: 42-2420
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102950#

My plan was to hook the Y-Adapter into the PW, then use two 1/8-1/8 6ft cables to connect both 200's to the PW. Maybe increasing the length of the cables by stringing additional 6-ft cables together using a female/female connector.

My concern is whether the PW will send the correct signals to both genesis units at the same time. Will the PW will have a hard time sending a "strong" electrical current down both cables if the length is too long? Is there a danger of damaging the PW with this set-up?

I am thinking this would be a good way to go wireless between the camera and 200's, but have the strobes hard-wired to improve simultaneous firing.

[mufutau55]

That should work using the splitter but try get a longer cable than 6ft, I know Radio Shack has a longer version of it..
But this defeat the purpose of going wireless.. because this is not totally wireless anymore. But it will work.

Mufutau

I just bought a set of Pocketwizards (PW) and want to set-off 2 genesis 200's without using the optical slave or buying a third PW. Is it possible to connect 2 genesis 200's to one PW transceiver using the following 2 items available at Radioshack?


(1) 4-inch Mono Y-Adapter
Model: 42-2437 | Catalog #: 42-2437
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102953


(2) 6-Ft. Shielded Cable, 1/8" Plug to 1/8" Plug
Model: 42-2420 | Catalog #: 42-2420
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102950#

My plan was to hook the Y-Adapter into the PW, then use two 1/8-1/8 6ft cables to connect both 200's to the PW. Maybe increasing the length of the cables by stringing additional 6-ft cables together using a female/female connector.

My concern is whether the PW will send the correct signals to both genesis units at the same time. Will the PW will have a hard time sending a "strong" electrical current down both cables if the length is too long? Is there a danger of damaging the PW with this set-up?

I am thinking this would be a good way to go wireless between the camera and 200's, but have the strobes hard-wired to improve simultaneous firing.

[Austin.Manny]

I agree. Why would you do this? Why not sell those pocketwizards and go with Cybersyncs or Yongnuo RF-602's which I use and they are 100% reliable, for only $40 a set.

[PacAce]

I just bought a set of Pocketwizards (PW) and want to set-off 2 genesis 200's without using the optical slave or buying a third PW. Is it possible to connect 2 genesis 200's to one PW transceiver using the following 2 items available at Radioshack?


(1) 4-inch Mono Y-Adapter
Model: 42-2437 | Catalog #: 42-2437
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102953


(2) 6-Ft. Shielded Cable, 1/8" Plug to 1/8" Plug
Model: 42-2420 | Catalog #: 42-2420
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102950#

My plan was to hook the Y-Adapter into the PW, then use two 1/8-1/8 6ft cables to connect both 200's to the PW. Maybe increasing the length of the cables by stringing additional 6-ft cables together using a female/female connector.

My concern is whether the PW will send the correct signals to both genesis units at the same time. Will the PW will have a hard time sending a "strong" electrical current down both cables if the length is too long? Is there a danger of damaging the PW with this set-up?

I am thinking this would be a good way to go wireless between the camera and 200's, but have the strobes hard-wired to improve simultaneous firing.
Yes, it'll work and there shouldn't be a cause for concern unless the two strobes were of different types or makes, which is not the case here. All the PW unit does is to close a contact that shorts out the sync ports of the strobes to cause them to fire. No signals are passed from the PW unit to the strobes per se like there is when firing an EX flash in E-TTL mode.

BTW, if you're only using the Y-adapter to "improve simultaneous firing", then that really isn't necessary. The 2nd strobe fired optically by the 1st will fire just as quickly and will save you the hassle of connecting the two strobes with wires.

[hammer2k]

Yes, it'll work and there shouldn't be a cause for concern unless the two strobes were of different types or makes, which is not the case here. All the PW unit does is to close a contact that shorts out the sync ports of the strobes to cause them to fire. No signals are passed from the PW unit to the strobes per se like there is when firing an EX flash in E-TTL mode.

BTW, if you're only using the Y-adapter to "improve simultaneous firing", then that really isn't necessary. The 2nd strobe fired optically by the 1st will fire just as quickly and will save you the hassle of connecting the two strobes with wires.

Thanks Leo,

Also, I am planning on helping a friend with some posed wedding photos, and there will be other people using their point-n-shoots. I would think that this set-up would allow me to be wireless, but allow other people to take their shots without their flashes setting off the genesis units.

[PacAce]

Thanks Leo,

Also, I am planning on helping a friend with some posed wedding photos, and there will be other people using their point-n-shoots. I would think that this set-up would allow me to be wireless, but allow other people to take their shots without their flashes setting off the genesis units.

Yes, in a scenario like that, then the use of optical triggering may not be the best way to go. The optimal way would be to get another PW unit but barring that, make sure you bring along enough duct or gaffer tape to prevent people from tripping over your wire. :)

[TMR Design]

Personally, I wouldn't run out and sell the Pocket Wizards to be replaced by Yongnuo triggers, no matter how reliable they are for one person. There are just as many people getting ebay Chinese products that fail or are DOA and I would never attempt to do professional work where I relied on Yongnuo triggers. Pocket Wizards are tried and true. I could see using something like Cybersyncs which get very good reviews and have been tested in the field extensively.

You don't and won't see any professionals working in the field with Yongnuo triggers and I wouldn't recommend that anyone be the guinea pig. There are all kinds of RF interference issues with triggers when working on location and in remote places. That's when you need the reliability of a good trigger.

I'm not trying to put Yongnuo products down. Some of them work well but regardless of that, many fail and are just more imported Chinese junk.

[jbergdoll]

I agree. Why would you do this? Why not sell those pocketwizards and go with Cybersyncs or Yongnuo RF-602's which I use and they are 100% reliable, for only $40 a set.
Because PW's are the best.

[hammer2k]

Because PW's are the best.

That's why I bought them. I usually do not like buying things twice (or 3-4 times) if I can buy it right the first time. Not to say the ebay triggers are bad, but the PW's have a proven track record.

BTW from my limited test, the 1/8 to 1/8 6ft cable works at connecting the PW to one of the 200's. My Radioshack did not have the y adapter cable , so I have not tried firing both off.

I am a non-professional, but claim to be a serious hobbyist. :D

thanks to everyone for their comments

[jeromego]

Because PW's are the best.
IMO, there's nothing a PWII can do that my cybersyncs cannot. Unless you need longer range.

[PacAce]

IMO, there's nothing a PWII can do that my cybersyncs cannot. Unless you need longer range.

Didn't you just contradict yourself, then? ;)

Can the CyberSync shoot in relay mode to remotely trigger a camera and then turn around a trigger remote flashes? I have nothing against the CyberSyncs but I just wanted to point out another thing the PW Plus II can do that the CyberSync can't. :)

[TMR Design]

IMO, there's nothing a PWII can do that my cybersyncs cannot. Unless you need longer range.

..or unless you want seamless integration with a Sekonic meter. I know,.. many people just use the Auto Cordless Reset Mode, but Sekonic users prefer not to do that and having a Pocket Wizard system makes life very easy. Also, using Multi-Max's adds features and flexibility that you can't touch with a Cybersync. Just figured I would point that out.

As far as triggering goes, I've only heard excellent things about Cybersyncs.

[jeromego]

Didn't you just contradict yourself, then? ;)

Can the Cybersync shoot in relay mode to remotely trigger a camera and then turn around a trigger remote flashes?
hmmmm. you;re right. pls disregard my comment, Leo. :)

[kylefornia]

If you really just need an additional receiver you can try and pick up one of the original PW plus receivers. If you can find them they go for pretty cheap, check out ebay or depending on how long you're willing to wait, I might be able to part with a few of mine once I move to another system. Usually you can find them for around $100 apiece, maybe better now.