Bowens Gemini 500r questions

I picked up a set of these lights a while back and I've only ever used them hard wired via a hot shoe cord to my 6d, what do I need to set them up wireless? and what kind of lighting meter should I buy?


Thanks

Bowens has its own radio triggers: http://www.bowensusa.c​om/pulsar-tx.html

Usually, it's best to use the manufacturer's own radio transceivers as you can dial in power values from the camera position: any other radio triggers will require you to walk up to the light and turn the dial to make adjustments.

For lightmeters, you can't go wrong with the Sekonic L-758DR which comes already with a PocketWizard-compatible radio trigger. If you, however, won't use PocketWizards but the Pulsar or any other radio triggers, you'll have to trigger your lights manually for metering. A bit of a hassle, but nothing you can't get used to.

Cheers Alveric, with the bowens pulsar trigger it appears I would also need the appropriate receiver unit for at least on one of my lights. I guess the other option is to use a small speedlight?

You can use a flashgun at minimum power aimed carefully so that its light does not illuminate your subject or scene to trigger the monolights by means of their optical sensor, yes. I've used this arrangement, when I didn't have the cables for my PocketWizards yet. There's nothing like having the right implements, though; and if you're taking them outside in bright daylight, the optical triggers might not work. (I don't have these lights, so I can't tell for certain).

Additionally, you can use a PC cable if your camera has the port and if the monolights came with one, and if you don't have to be more than 5 metres away from one of the lights.

Also some more info in this thread:

https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=17805756

I don't use my studio lighting all that often but it would be nice to have less cords laying around, are there any aftermarket triggers that you'd recommend? I can see various options on a specific Chinese website starting at $10 obviously you get what you pay for but I have had reasonably good experience with other Chinese knock offs

edit: To use the Yongnuo YN560-TX to trigger my Bowens lights, I'm guessing I'd still need the wireless receiver cards?

You can use the most dimple trigger for that flash. You can use this type op sets:

https://www.fasttech.c​om …-433mhz-16-channel-studio

You need one set and the second flash have to be set yo slave to trigger on the same time.

You can purchase the receiver cards for the lights or run the Pulsar transceivers via cord on each head. The best part about having individual triggers on each head, is that you can operate them one at a time while metering (start with your main light to establish exposure, then add additional lights one at a time).
The high end Sekonic is very nice, but most photographers don't ever use them to their potential, so I would recommend finding a used Sekonic 358. They are very reliable, waterproof, and easy to use. If you go with Pocket Wizards, the 358 accepts a trigger card. If not, you can either trigger your lights with another transceiver manually or run a small cord to the meter and set the meter for corded firing.
There are literally hundreds of options, but I have found the old school Pulsars to be very reliable and you can use them with any camera (as long as it either has a hotshoe or a pc terminal).
Good luck!

Thanks Stan, I've ordered myself this, I'm not ready to invest any serious cash into this as I very rarely use my lighting