Firing a remote camera with PWs

[tadrscin]

I'm considering upgrading to PWs and I'd like to fine out if they will work with a specific setup which includes a remote camera. What I'd like to do is have the remote camera fired at the exact time as my main camera and have both cameras in sync with the same flash/flashes. In other words, I'd like to be able to fire 2 cameras and 1or more flashes all in sync. I'm specifically looking at the PW II Pluses and after reading the manual, it's not clear if I can do this. I know I could use a Plus II in my hand to fire a remote camera and flash, but it's not clear if I can trigger the remote camera to fire at the same time as the main camera with a Plus II mounted on the main camera. I know the worst case is that I could use separate flashes for each camera, but I'd ideally like to be able to share the flashes between both cameras.

[jcolman]

I don't see why this wouldn't work. The only thing that might be required is to make sure the PW on the remote camera is attached via the hot shoe with a camera remote cable running to the remote input. This will then fire a remote flash in sync. I've tried this before with a PW in my hand to fire the remote camera but I've never tried it with the PW attached to a primary camera. If I have time later tonight I'll hook it all up and give it a try.

[tadrscin]

If you could do that it would be great. Someone had figured out a way to do this with Skyports, but there is a split second delay in firing the remote camera so it fires after the primary camera and the flashes. It would be so nice if I could share the flashes between both cameras. It would push me over the edge in deciding to buy the PWs.

[PacAce]

No, what you want won't work with the Plus II units (at least not reliably every time). You'll need MultiMax units to trigger two cameras in sync with a single set of flashes. You won't even be able to do it with the Skyports either.

You might be able to get the PW II units to work if the two cameras are of the same model, set to a slower shutter speed like, say, 1/125 or 1/60, with a receiver attached to each camera and fired by a handheld transmitter. You'll need to determine which of the two cameras has a longer shutter lag and use that to fire the remote flash.

And also, to minimize shutter lag, the lens should be in manual focus mode and the camera pre-triggered.

[gromeo]

Take a look at this video, it may help in what you are trying to do

http://www.pocketwizard.com/HTML/plus2_video.asp

[rodal126]

take a look at this video as well. it shows you how to setup a remote camera to fire along another camera... you possibly could add a PW to it so that it can sync with the shot.

http://www.pshizzy.com/2008/06/setti...ote-the-video/

[jcolman]

Originally Posted by gromeo

Take a look at this video, it may help in what you are trying to do

http://www.pocketwizard.com/HTML/plus2_video.asp

This is exactly how I use mine but the OP wants to be able to fire two cameras and flashes in sync. I think he should be able to as long as the PW on the primary camera is on the hot shoe and set one channel lower than the remotes on the other camera and lights. I'll shoot some test shots tonight if I can. The wife and I have plans but I should be home in time to do a quick set up and test.

[tadrscin]

Thanks. No big hurry either. I'm at least a few weeks from buying any new gear.

[tadrscin]

Originally Posted by gromeo

Take a look at this video, it may help in what you are trying to do

http://www.pocketwizard.com/HTML/plus2_video.asp

I watched this video and it shows what the manual says you can do with the Plus IIs. What I want to do is fire both cameras and all flashes in sync. When jcolman gets a chance to test it out, we'll all know for sure if it will work.

[tadrscin]

Originally Posted by rodal126

take a look at this video as well. it shows you how to setup a remote camera to fire along another camera... you possibly could add a PW to it so that it can sync with the shot.

http://www.pshizzy.com/2008/06/setti...ote-the-video/

That was very interesting. The thing that he didn't indicate was whether or not there was any lag in firing the remote camera. If you weren't using a flash then it wouldn't matter. In my case I really need to have everything fired in sync.

[bobbyz]

There was a thread over at FM a while back where main 1dmk2 was doing 8.5fps while the remote 1dmk2 was firing a little slower than 8.5fps using PW.

You will need the pre-trigger cable like mentioned in the posted links.

[PShizzy]

Hi guys, I thought I'd answer a few questions:

1)to fire multiple cameras on one set of lights, all cameras must be triggered remotely. If you have a camera in hand, that triggers other cameras, then all those cameras can use lights, but the handheld cannot.

If you try to trigger the lights and the remote cameras from the handheld, only the handheld will get the light.

What I've seen photographers do is put the handheld to remote trigger, then have a PP attached to a standard trigger button, which they tape onto the grip of the camera, to simulate a shutter button. Normally the handheld is part of a circuit (hardwire) that is all triggered remotely (by the trigger button). One of the remotes (the handheld is now technically a remote) will relay a signal (on a diff channel) to the flashes. Since all the cameras are more or less in sync, the flash that goes off should work for ALL cameras. It is not foolproof, but it does work.

There indeed is a lag between firing handheld and having the remote fire (in fact this is what keeps the handheld and remotes all from sharing one flash). When you fire from a handheld, there is a slight lag for the remote to fire. furthermore, while you can hold down the shutter button on a handheld, it's sending repeated presses of signal to the transmitter, which then transmits what it gets: a bunch of shuter signals.

If you want the remote to fire at full speed, then it needs to have a contact time change. If you set it to one second, for example, one press of the transmitter (on the handheld) will fire the remote for one full second (even if the handheld took 1 shot)

If you need further assistance, please feel free to email me.

Max@PShizzy.com

I'll be glad to go through all of this. I also plan on posting a sort of "part 2" to my remote setup video.

Max

[DDCSD]

Thanks Max. I saw that video a while back. Great walk-through. Thanks for the clarification as well!

[rodal126]

Originally Posted by PShizzy

I also plan on posting a sort of "part 2" to my remote setup video.

Max

I'm looking forward to seeing this!

[jcolman]

Ok, I shot some test shots tonight and as I thought, it works. I put a PW on a flash, another on my 5D and the third on my 1dmIIn. The PW on the 5D was in the hot shoe with the camera remote cable running into the remote input. The PW on my main camera (the mkIIn) was in the hot shoe as well. Finally, much to my surprise, I had to set all thel PW's on the same channel. Having the master on a lower channel didn't work like I thought it would. However, if I have a remote camera and I trigger it via a PW in my hand instead of on a second camera, then I have to have the remote on a lower channel than the light. Go figure.

this shot shows the flash firing, triggered by the main camera and (although you can't see it except for the little red light on the PW) the 5D firing as well.



This shot shows the result of the test fire that was captured by the remote 5D and that the remote camera was indeed synced to the strobe.



I hope this settles the question. Additional PW or light triggers would obviously be needed to fire additional lights.