E-Bay trigger V2 mini-review

Lotto wrote in post #3225287
Lon, I've seen couple mods on the version 1 of this tigger, where the guy took out the PC port and replace with a 1/8 mono jack. From the look of it, the version 2 has same layout as version 1, so adding a 1/8 jack shouldn't be hard to do.

Lotto,

That would be easy to do, and nice modification. But, I actually like the 1/4 phono plug (and not the versions that do not have a hotshoe).

It would be hard to find a connector more reliable that the 1/4 inch phone plug.

A connection at the 1/4 phono plug is essential like a hardwired connection (in terms of reliability).

Gazillions of manual phone connections cannot be wrong (the 1/4 phono plug was the device used to connect all phone calls by operators when the switching was done manually).

Enjoy! Lon

I got mine today, super quick delivery i was expecting to wait at least another week! Arrived in 3 DAYS AGO (OVER THE WEEKEND)
Very happy for the price and does exactly what i needed from them. Possible upgrades with connector in the future, but for the moment well worth the money!

Hi is this the same product...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk …48515QQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

Ordered a V2 on the 13th and recieved it on the 21st. Going to play with it and get back with you guys, I did pick up a pc to hotshoe adapter so I dont get all the extra space between the light stand and the flash.

flashtoby wrote in post #3242681
Hi is this the same product...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk …48515QQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

I believe that is the Mark 1 version, you should get the V2 as it doesnt misfire!

I've had my V2 set for about 2 weeks. I use the Sigma EF500 Super w/no misfires indoors. I finally took it outside today into an area the width of a 2-lane road in between two 3-story buildings and experienced 2 misfires out of 10 shots. As for the build quality, it's a bit delicate for my tastes but good enough for the money. Would I take it on assignment? Maybe, it depends what it is. Would I take it on a wedding gig? Nope! I'm going to invest in PWs for that. Still, overall a nice product and happy with the value!

This is slightly off topic, but how would a 550EX work as a fill light (umbrella bounced)? To be more specific, I have an AB1600 (640ws) for my key and just realized I could optical slave either the flash or the strobe head. That is, if color temp., flash duration, etc. are close enough for quality results. Thoughts?

Got mine yesterday. As pretty much everyone else noted, mine arrived surprisingly fast (even though I didn't opt for upgrade on the shipping).

First impression - as far as radio is concerned - works fine every time.
Pushing the test button fires the slaves every time.

The piece which sits on the camera though does seem to have a problem getting a good contact with the camera hotshoe (I noticed it can move a little sideways) and when that's the case - of course it won't fire.
Kind of funny, but if I mount it pointing backwards - it fires every time . When I mount it the way it's supposed to be - I have to fire a shot or two to make sure it's OK..

can anyone tell me how sturdy this thing is... all this plastic connects -- dont want to have the flash unit lop and fall.

divinemethod wrote in post #3256194
can anyone tell me how sturdy this thing is... all this plastic connects -- dont want to have the flash unit lop and fall.

Not sturdy at all IMO. I have to be delicate with it when I move the light stand around. Otherwise, the flash is just flopping over and I have to reposition it on the stand. I tightened up the receiver, but not too much for fear of breaking the thing.

I'm so confused. I want to be able to trigger a Sigma EF 500 DG super off camera. What do I need?

bmd7703 wrote in post #3257098
I'm so confused. I want to be able to trigger a Sigma EF 500 DG super off camera. What do I need?

If you want to retain E-TTL, then you need another E-TTL flash can (preferably another Sigma - I've heard horror stories about mixing Sigma and Canon in a wireless setup)

If you only need a dumb slave - then your sigma has a built-in optical slave.
You can use any cheap manual flash on the hotshoe (set to min power and pointed way) to trigger the flash.
You can even use the built-in flash to fire the Sigma, but you have to do tricks like covering the flash (to avoid the TTL pre-flash triggering the slave) and FEL, then uncovering (a little) and fire, which while doable gets really old really soon.

The cleanest solution for dumb-of-the-shoe flash is radio-slave system (better range and more reliable then optical slave) and I can vouch for the ones this thread is about.

divinemethod wrote in post #3256194
can anyone tell me how sturdy this thing is... all this plastic connects -- dont want to have the flash unit lop and fall.

The build quality is not great, and you could argue it is inadequate for the job of supporting a flash under working conditions. This is the one big drawback to these triggers.

The foot is made of metal but the housing it's connected to is low grade plastic .. the kind that shatters when you apply too much force to it. So I'm careful when I have my 580 mounted and am looking at two things .. first a safety wire to secure the flash in the event the trigger breaks and second a sturdier housing that will enclose the trigger and allow secure mounting of flashes.

At the price you really cannot expect high build quality.
Mike

This is a portrait I did for my friend with this trigger:

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Adcuz wrote in post #3258365
This is a portrait I did for my friend with this trigger:

My view on this trigger is: It's really flimsy.. I suggest always using a PC cord to prevent danger of falling etc.

PC cord? how do you mean?