Cowboystudio NPT-04 4 Channel Wireless Hot Shoe Flash Trigger & Receiver Set

PeaceFire wrote in post #12342406
This is a great guide for choosing the wireless trigger that is right for you and your needs: http://www.flickr.com …/59315881@N08/5​590340051/

As you can see, the Cowboy receivers aren't on there. When asked why the creator of this guide pointed out that the Cowboy Studios triggers were more in line with the V2s, not the newer and more improved flash triggers like the Cactus V4 and V5s and the RF-602 and 603s.

I think the biggest difference is the range. Cowboy studios range is 30m. The RF-602s range is 100m. That's more than 3x the range. If you plan to only shoot in a small studio with nothing blocking your way, the Cowboy Studio Triggers seems like they'll do the job just fine. But if you ever want to move outdoors, you'll need a little something more.

Let's give a little perspective to the issue of range. How frequently are you going to need to shoot pictures a football field away from your flash? Do you really need a 100m range when, realistically, your flashes will almost never be more than 10m away from you?

That being said, what essential functionality do the newer Cactuses have that the CBs don't? I even think that having 4 channels is unnecessary for a lot of entry-level usage, or for that matter any usage outside anywhere where there are multiple people using flash triggers or TONS of radio interference.

KaBlookie wrote in post #12344952
Let's give a little perspective to the issue of range. How frequently are you going to need to shoot pictures a football field away from your flash? Do you really need a 100m range when, realistically, your flashes will almost never be more than 10m away from you?

That being said, what essential functionality do the newer Cactuses have that the CBs don't? I even think that having 4 channels is unnecessary for a lot of entry-level usage, or for that matter any usage outside anywhere where there are multiple people using flash triggers or TONS of radio interference.

For the small difference in price, why limit yourself? As someone who was burned by cheap triggers I can tell you saving a little up front, and then not getting what you need is not a cost savings.

See, what I am asking is in what way is the average person here limiting him/herself with the CBs? I'm sure we can all see that the stated maximum range for any of them is far higher than 99% of the distances at which people will use them, so again, what essential functionality do the newer Cactuses and the YNs have that the CBs don't?

To be honest, I'm really just playing devil's advocate here...I'm not trying to promote or sell the CBs in any way, I'm just interested in why people insist on the Cactuses and YNs just because they're not much more expensive and have longer range than the CBs?

KaBlookie wrote in post #12345542
See, what I am asking is in what way is the average person here limiting him/herself with the CBs? I'm sure we can all see that the stated maximum range for any of them is far higher than 99% of the distances at which people will use them, so again, what essential functionality do the newer Cactuses and the YNs have that the CBs don't?

To be honest, I'm really just playing devil's advocate here...I'm not trying to promote or sell the CBs in any way, I'm just interested in why people insist on the Cactuses and YNs just because they're not much more expensive and have longer range than the CBs?

They have a proven track record by a large base of users. I see more threads about complaints with cowboy studio products than any other product distributor. Because they handle primarily low end products to new users its not surprising that they get more complaints, but the threads I've read about their customer service wasnt encouraging.

I think any of them should work fine. I saw bad reviews of CS too, but the reviews for the NPT-04 itself were pretty strong.

Anyway, one pleasant surprise was that with the T2i in Manual mode, I can sync at 1/250 second, not just the 1/200 spec sync speed. I'm not sure I understand why that would be the case, but it gives me a bit more flexibility.

Actually, while I usually run from anything with the word "Cowboy" on it when it comes to lighting, I didn't from these. I read a lot of the reviews on Amazon, I read a handful of blog reviews, and most seem to actually rave about them. So, yeah, I decided to pick up a set because I can't seem to trigger my 430 on a beauty dish in slave mode (it's a sensor issue, I think).

Anywho, that being said, these are for temporary use only. Why do I need 100m? I shoot weddings. I've shot in reception halls that are almost the size of football fields. Even if I centrally locate my OCF I could still be more than 30m away. Or less than 30m away but needing to make sure my flashes go every time or I could miss a moment. I wouldn't trust the Cowboy Studio triggers for it. Though, maybe I'll keep them for studio use and only use the Cactus triggers for weddings and extend the lifespan of both triggers.

Ah, see that's the key, you do wedings :P

For personal/hobbyist use, I don't think it's worth it to spend more than the price of the CBs or YNs (unless you have money to burn)...but for anything professional (i.e. you will be making money off using these), I definitely would go with a more tried-and-true setup.

If the price difference between a 433MHz system (CB & others) and a 2.4GHz system (YN RF 602 & others) is a deal breaker, then you are in the wrong hobby. They are darned near the same price when you consider shipping. I happened to get a 433MHz system that worked pretty well once I figured out which symptoms of failure were related to which fixes. I switched to a 2.4GHz system this year and I can't believe the difference. Since I am setting off studio strobes rather than Speedlights, I am using RF 601, but the technology is generally the same. I would not seriously consider any of the inexpensive 433MHz remotes at this point since the 2.6GHz remotes are better-working, inexpensive alternatives.

Devil's advocate again: YNs with two additional receivers is ~$100...CBs with two additional receivers, ~$60. And yes, shipped.

I guess we have to make a distinction between hobby and profession/job/side-job. Like I said, if you make money off photography using off-camera flash, then I agree it wouldn't be wise to get a lesser system.

You say if the difference is a deal breaker then I'm in the wrong hobby...are you saying I have to spend more money to enjoy something I do for fun? I don't think that's the case at all...that $40 I save can fill up the gas tank in my car and allow me over 300 miles of driving...or dinner and a movie with friends...or whatever. For hobbyists, it certainly can be a deal breaker if you don't make lots of money and don't make money off using them.

KaBlookie wrote in post #12351657
Devil's advocate again: YNs with two additional receivers is ~$100...CBs with two additional receivers, ~$60. And yes, shipped.

I guess we have to make a distinction between hobby and profession/job/side-job. Like I said, if you make money off photography using off-camera flash, then I agree it wouldn't be wise to get a lesser system.

You say if the difference is a deal breaker then I'm in the wrong hobby...are you saying I have to spend more money to enjoy something I do for fun? I don't think that's the case at all...that $40 I save can fill up the gas tank in my car and allow me over 300 miles of driving...or dinner and a movie with friends...or whatever. For hobbyists, it certainly can be a deal breaker if you don't make lots of money and don't make money off using them.

You keep throwing in the costs of two extra receivers. That means a total of 3 flashes in play. That indicates someone is pretty serious about their craft. And in that case they should spend a few extra bucks on quality gear, it will pay in the long run.

Point taken! Although you can have three YN560s, CB transmitter and three receivers, three stands, and some cheap umbrellas for the price of a 580EX II

Okay okay, I'll stop

I just want to reiterate that I fully understand why someone wanting high quality pieces would choose something other than the CBs, I'm just challenging certain thoughts/comments out of intellectual curiosity! I just didn't agree at all with the first sentence of Jim M's post and wanted to voice my opinion on it...

The same argument is used to justify buying Pocket Wizards, at $375 a set. They are better. They will pay off in the long run. If you are serious.... etc., etc., etc.

I've had really good luck buying cheap stuff. Of course I'm not a professional, but so far haven't regretted anything I've bought. And every time I spend less on something, that's another item of gear I can buy that I couldn't have bought spending more.

Unless, of course, money is no object. Not the case for me, unfortunately.

In the end I don't think you'll save any money. Since it's likely that you will either outgrow the cheap gear, or it will fail on you, versus the money you saved, it's high risk.

Spend a little more and get the YN or the cactus. The cost difference is not that significant, it's higher quality gear, and if you end up needing the money (for gas) it will have higher resale value.

Well, I decided to order them for temporary use (as I mentioned before) and I must say, I'm happy! I played around with distance a bit, going from my living room into the kitchen and then out into the backyard. I'd say this is 40m (though I didn't measure) and through the kitchen window and they still fired (from what I could see) 100% of the time. I couldn't go any further and still see the flashes so I didn't test any further. But these little guys do the trick. I'd never use them for weddings, but they may become my studio triggers!

paradiddleluke wrote in post #12341272
this, the RF602's are really nice with a decent range, I use em all the time, though check out the RF603's i think they just came out with?

I have heard some not so great stuff bout cowboy studios

So have I...I haven't bought any of his lighting equipment stuff, though. I had a good experience with their e-bay store.

I ordered an arca swiss custom bracket for canon 7d from them. They messed up and shipped me the wrong item. I e-mailed them and told them what had happened. He shipped me the right one immediately without requiring me to ship him the other one back (I shipped it back though, wouldn't have been right to keep). So although they did mess up my order, I had a good experience with their customer service...i'd trust them enough to order from them again, for sure. Use e-bay though and the win7/ie9 cash back thing (if that's still going on i forget).