Pocket wizards mini ttl and flex Help please

[AlanU]

Originally Posted by colormaniac

I see. I was thinking of fixing the frying problem, not the noise problem. Thanks for the clarification! As I recall, there is no way to fix the frying problem. Some people report that their 580EXII still get fried after Canon's service.

I happened to have a 580EXII that does not get fried with my TT5s. But I have four TT5s. I haven't seriously tried all of them. (But maybe somehow I tried them all already. I just didn't log it.) Still, every time I put them together, there is some sort of fearful thought in the back of my mind: am I taking too much risk that I would regret?....

yup!!! my guess is the phottix will do the same. I really think its the cct boards in the flash though.......

[butterfly2937]

I just read an article claiming that PW does have a fix for the frying problem and the interference issue with the 580 EX 11. I just emailed them to confirm plus get the cost and I will report back with their answer.

[KinoC]

ColorManic... I sent my 580EXII twice for service to Canon under warranty so yes even if Canon repairs them they might fail again(it happened to me). However, a friend of mine got his 580EXII fix from one of those links I posted and he hasn't have any issues with his 580EXII. It is an extra $80 but it is a good fix and you can enjoy the range plus the ability to control other strobes in the future.

Regards,
Kino

[Timphoto]

I've been using my PW's with the 580EX-II for several years without frying anything. As much as I like the small form factor of the TT1 on top of the camera, if I had to do it over again, I would just buy TT5's. In my experience this increases the range, and the AA batteries last longer than the watch battery in the TT1.

[andrewknowles]

Originally Posted by Timphoto

I've been using my PW's with the 580EX-II for several years without frying anything. As much as I like the small form factor of the TT1 on top of the camera, if I had to do it over again, I would just buy TT5's. In my experience this increases the range, and the AA batteries last longer than the watch battery in the TT1.

Since I already have the TT1 do you think it would be worth it to sell it nd make it a TT5?

Also I'm about to sell my 580 EX II to just avoid all of the issues with frying it, do you think a 430 EX II will still suffice? I mainly use it for fill outside and during weddings. And do I need all of those RF hard cases or socks and other nonsense that should have came with the PW?

[colormaniac]

Originally Posted by Timphoto

As much as I like the small form factor of the TT1 on top of the camera, if I had to do it over again, I would just buy TT5's. In my experience this increases the range, and the AA batteries last longer than the watch battery in the TT1.

Yes, I agree that the battery life of TT1 is very short. If I had to do it again, I'd rather get a TT5 that uses AA batteries.

[jrscls]

I also have 2 Flex TT5, 1 Mini TT1, and an AC3. I usually use my 580EX II mounted on the camera with the TT1 and use a 430EX II on a remote TT5. Another option is that I use the TT1 with the AC3 to fire 2 remote 430EX II flashes via the TT5 units. I have occasionally used the 580EX II on the TT5 without any issue.

I also use the PWs for my AlienBees, but I just use a mono cord to fire the Bees with them since I don't mind manually adjusting the power of the ABs.

[Timphoto]

Originally Posted by andrewknowles

Since I already have the TT1 do you think it would be worth it to sell it nd make it a TT5?

Also I'm about to sell my 580 EX II to just avoid all of the issues with frying it, do you think a 430 EX II will still suffice? I mainly use it for fill outside and during weddings. And do I need all of those RF hard cases or socks and other nonsense that should have came with the PW?

I can only tell you what I did. I kept my TT1 and the 580EX-II. I have the PW "sock" but have never bothered to use it.

[jrscls]

^Never bothered with the sock either. I like the smaller footprint of the TT1 on camera, but it is nice to know that the TT5 units can serve as a backup to the TT1 or can be used on a second body, which makes a nice versatile setup.

[andrewknowles]

Hmm well I am supposed to meet a woman in about 45 minutes to show her my 580 EX II... so would a 430 work ok or should I just take my chances and keep my 580?

[KinoC]

If I was you I will take the chance but I will have the 430EXII as a backup. I fried all my 580EXII when using HyperSync with the lend wide open F2.0 or F2.8.... that's my two cents... You might be one of the lucky ones that their 580 is immune but keep the 430EXII close to you and a poker face just in case you need it! Good luck.

Kino

[colormaniac]

Originally Posted by andrewknowles

Hmm well I am supposed to meet a woman in about 45 minutes to show her my 580 EX II... so would a 430 work ok or should I just take my chances and keep my 580?

I myself try to keep just one 580EXII, because sometimes I may not use PW and then I need a master. But whether to take the risk is your call.

[PhotoMatte]

For the price of two (or more) 580EXII units and compatible Pocket Wizards you can just buy a handful of the new 600EX speedlites and avoid the PW altogether. I haven't tried them out yet, but they allegedly have radio triggers built into them and will work wirelessly together

[jrscls]

I would get a few 430EX II flashes and keep the 580 II, but if you don't plan to use a master flash on camera, you really don't the 580 II. You can also use the 430EX II as master on the TT1, but you can't control ratios in that config.

[andrewknowles]

Originally Posted by jrscls

I would get a few 430EX II flashes and keep the 580 II, but if you don't plan to use a master flash on camera, you really don't the 580 II. You can also use the 430EX II as master on the TT1, but you can't control ratios in that config.

So if I sell my 580 and just get two 430s then I can put each 430 on its own TT5 and still control ratios with TT1/AC3 in my camera?