Strobe triggering question (Pocket Wizards)

I understand that the best option when it comes to triggering strobes with Pocket Wizards is one for the camera and one for each strobe. But if your budget only allows for 2 PWs at the moment, what other options are there? How difficult is it to trigger more than one light with only one transmitter and one receiver? Does this require some kind of DIY trick or are there ready made solutions for this?

Optical triggers. The one camera PW triggers the flash which triggers any flash with an optical trigger.

Per post two, most studio strobes have built-in optical slave capability. You only need two PW's, one for the camera and one for "one" of your strobes.

This is different if you are talking about firing speedlites with PW's. You can fire two speedlites side by side(think flash on a stick) with a splitter and one PW for the two speedlites and you still only need two two PW's.

If you want speedlites in more than one location and don't want to rely on manufacturer proprietary wireless, then you will need a PW for each speedlite.

Paramount cords makes two different "Y" cords allowing you to use the sync ports on your speedlites or hot shoes for speedlites that don't have PC sync connections.

So simple. Thanks!

canonphotog wrote in post #6064246
Per post two, most studio strobes have built-in optical slave capability. You only need two PW's, one for the camera and one for "one" of your strobes.

This is different if you are talking about firing speedlites with PW's. You can fire two speedlites side by side(think flash on a stick) with a splitter and one PW for the two speedlites and you still only need two two PW's.

If you want speedlites in more than one location and don't want to rely on manufacturer proprietary wireless, then you will need a PW for each speedlite.

Paramount cords makes two different "Y" cords allowing you to use the sync ports on your speedlites or hot shoes for speedlites that don't have PC sync connections.

Actually I was only concerned about strobes with this question, but I appreciate the information. One thing though, the 580EX doesn't have PC sync connections, right? This still blows my mind that Canon didn't include that (at least not until the 580EX II I believe).

One more question about optical triggers... If you are in an environment with multiple people shooting, i.e., sporting events, weddings, etc. optical triggers are going to be pretty worthless aren't they? They'll pop anytime anyone shoots with a flash, right? I guess you'd have to have multiple PWs then wouldn't you?

Phil Light wrote in post #6064326
One more question about optical triggers... If you are in an environment with multiple people shooting, i.e., sporting events, weddings, etc. optical triggers are going to be pretty worthless aren't they? They'll pop anytime anyone shoots with a flash, right?

Right.

Yes, and if anybody else is also using PWs then you need to coordinate with them to make you're each using a different channel so you don't fire eachother's strobes.

krb wrote in post #6064348
...and if anybody else is also using PWs then you need to coordinate with them to make you're each using a different channel so you don't fire eachother's strobes.

It seems like kind of a short-sightedness on their part then that they don't offer some kind of DIP switch configuration or something which would allow for a lot more combinations than just 4. That will probably be the next upgrade.

Phil Light wrote in post #6064393
It seems like kind of a short-sightedness on their part then that they don't offer some kind of DIP switch configuration or something which would allow for a lot more combinations than just 4. That will probably be the next upgrade.

I wouldn't necessarily call it short-sighted. The multimax has 32 channels and lets you put strobes into separate groups with the upper 16 channels.

They expect you to pay a bit more for more functionality.

A piece of gaffers tape on the optical sensor of your strobe will keep it from firing everytime someone elses strobes fire.

canonphotog wrote in post #6064449
...A piece of gaffers tape on the optical sensor of your strobe will keep it from firing everytime someone elses strobes fire.

Um... wouldn't that also keep me from being able to fire it?

Phil Light wrote in post #6064463
Um... wouldn't that also keep me from being able to fire it?

Not if you have a PW connected to it.

Phil Light wrote in post #6064305
Actually I was only concerned about strobes with this question, but I appreciate the information. One thing though, the 580EX doesn't have PC sync connections, right? This still blows my mind that Canon didn't include that (at least not until the 580EX II I believe).

You're correct that canon speedlites before the 580exII do not have PC sync connections although I'm surprised that so many people think it should have been included all along.

Most aftermarket flash systems have some sort of sync connection, but the PC sync part is on the camera body and the aftermarket flash uses a proprietary connection for the other end.

Since you lose almost all the automatic functionality designed into todays speedlites when you fire them manually with PW's I can easily understand why the engineers held off so long on doing so. If it were not for the Thyristor style custom mode on the 580exII being present I don't think they would have added that PC sync.

PW are the way to go IMO, the reliablity is top notch. As stated above the Multimax have 32 channels and light can be placed in groups (you can select only a certain group to fire, or all lights).

There are cheaper triggers that many have success with though (i.e. skyports, cybersync, etc.)

I think it would be ok to start out with 2 PW (depending on your needs) then you have a one light set-up. Add a reflector and you have a two light set-up

Another design feature from Canon - don't expect to use an optical trigger on your 580EX.

Skyports and Cybersyncs are other radio units you might consider at lower cost.

Hi Mike, glad to get the vote of confidence on the Pocket Wizards. I'm still working on how to afford two of the plus types. Those Multimaxes are $100 more each!

Ken, thanks for the info. Good points.