Cactus Triggers or PWs: Help please. -- Flash and Studio Lighting in photography-on-the.net forums

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Sep 01, 2008 07:47 | #1

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I made a softbox from a cardboard box and some butchers paper with my speedlite slipped in through a snugly fit hole as you see in the photo.
The trouble was if I was more than 30 cm away from the trigger or around the edge of the box it wouldnt fire. As long as I was in line and not further away than close proximity to the edge would it work.

When they did work I was happy with the results but not having the freedom to move further away is not acceptable.

Do you think it is the box blocking the signal?

Yes yes i know you get what you pay for, so I am not sure if this is something I can fix by adjusting something or bite the bullet and purchase something more reliable? At the moment this is only a part time thing so pocket wizards may be overkill. But I am considering them.

Oh and here is a photo if you are interested.

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tim

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Sep 01, 2008 07:56 | #2

Ok, you're using wireless ETTL. The receiver is the red plastic on the front of the flash, you have it facing the wrong way. Switch it around and it will probably see the bounce flash off somewhere.

Radio is more reliable, but you have to shoot in manual. Cactus are terrible in my experience - get Skyports (half the price of PWs, receiver only here), or go the whole hog and get PWs - you'll never have to change systems again.

Having said that if you want to experiment with the cactus triggers I have some which i'll sell you, modified with wire antennas. They're not hugely reliable, but they'll get you started, and they're cheap. I think I have three studio transmitters and receivers. PM me if you're interested - but expect to get what you pay for.

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Canonymous
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Sep 01, 2008 08:11 | #3

Ok, you're using wireless ETTL. The receiver is the red plastic on the front of the flash, you have it facing the wrong way. Switch it around and it will probably see the bounce flash off somewhere.

Makes total sense, thanks tim.
I will give this a try first and then suss out my other options.

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Lowbyte

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Sep 01, 2008 11:57 | #4

Just a suggestion- 1) I would orientate the flash with the box so the flash spread is going top to bottom 2) on the 580exII set the flash zoom manually to its minimum and use the flip out diffuser to make the flash "beam" as wide as possible.

This should cut down on your hotspot.

As to your original problem what Tim mentioned (rotating the sensor to you) will help if you are using Canons wireless ETTL. But from the photo I see you are using Cactus triggers to fire.

There are a number of threads about improving the performance of the triggers you have. But at the minimum replace the batteries in all the units. A quick trip to radio shack will help your range considerably- if you are a little adventurous you can try:

http://www.deciacco.com …reless-ebay-triggers-mod/

or this:

http://www.flickr.com …/25797462@N07/2429504694/

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Moppie

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Sep 01, 2008 18:56 | #5

tim wrote in post #6218726

I think I have three studio transmitters and receivers. PM me if you're interested - but expect to get what you pay for.

I have a set of Tims modified transmitters, for non serious work them seem to work quite well over a reasonable distance (20 feet or so).

But, as Tim said, they are no match for skyports or pocket wizards.

So long and thanks for all the flash

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bobbyz

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Sep 01, 2008 19:13 | #6

Another radio trigger option is Aline Bees battery powered CyberSyncs.

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