pocket wizard plus or st-e2 ??

Im trying to transition to wireless flash, and I dont know which product to get. I have heard good things about both.

Do you already have Canon Speedlites?

Do you plan to mix with strobes?

Do you use HSS and/or ETTL?

Do you shoot outdoors?

Do you shoot with the flash more than 30' away?

I have one 580,I dont plan on using any strobes within the near future, I use ettl, yes a lot, of outdoor shooting, maybe 30 but most likely not

Go for the PW mini/flex combo then.

Is your 580EX the original version or a Mk II? If it's the original, then I also recommend the PW mini/flex. If it's the Mk2, there's a chance that it could burn out... other threads on that, so I won't rehash the details. But you're fine with the 580ex Mk1, 550ex, 430ex, 420ex, etc.

I went though so many trigger upgrades and then finally ended up with the Flex/Mini. Glad I did... pricey, but 10x better than any of the others. Cost won't be so bad if you start out with a single miniTT1 and a single FlexTT5.

ETTL and HSS work great with it, plus the optimized hypersync is nice. Range is great for me (again, check the threads on interference and range problems with the 580 Mk II; not an issue with my 550EX's). No problem with signal being blocked when flash is hidden out of sight, inside a modifier, or very far away. Also gives you option to mix with strobes (and remotely adjust their power levels) if you ever expand into those.

The ST-E2 was fine for indoor use. The Yongnuo knock-off is only $110, has better range than the original Canon version, and uses AA batteries. But if you put your flash in or behind a modifier (umbrella, softbox, beauty dish, etc) then the optical signal can get blocked. Ditto for outdoor use or when it's further away.

its is the mk II, another question, with the PW's can you adjust automatically from the camera?

Chrisnuge13 wrote in post #12141252
its is the mk II, another question, with the PW's can you adjust automatically from the camera?

Yes. Check out http://www.pocketwizar​d.com …mitter_receiver​/36/TT1-C/

"Change the flash compensation dial on the camera, and those commands pass seamlessly through the system to your remote flash. Adjust your aperture or ISO and the system corrects for those changes."

Money is another factor, do you guys think I should definitely spend on the PW's?

You're probably a better judge as to whether you should spend $400 on flex/mini.

It might be better to spend <$100 on the Yongnuo RF-603's or Cactus V5's. You'll have to set the flash levels manually, but you'll learn a lot more that way and have a lot more control and understanding instead of just depending on ETTL.

Plus the 580EX II has a couple of risks with the flex/mini.

But the 580ex II would almost be a waste sitting at the end of a manual trigger... you could buy any generic manual flash to use with the 603 or v5.

What about the cheaper pocket wizard plus ii ? Is that automatic like the mini/flex?

nope, PW+2 is a simple trigger... all settings need to be done on the flash manually