Which "cheap" trigger do you suggest?

Want to try some off camera lighting and was wondering which "cheap" triggers seemed to have the best luck?

High end=PW, radio poppers etc---Can't afford
Mid=Cyber sync's, sky port's, etc---can't justify for goofing around/learning

Low end=Cactus v4, other eBay type this is what I'm going for so was wondering which are the best.
I was leaning toward the cactus v4 or wait for radio popper Jr but who knows when or how much those will be.
Any input would help.

Thanks

cybersyncs they are the cheapest I will go.. and they are very great!

I had many versions of the cheap ebay triggers. If you are not needing range or reliability you can get them to play around with. When your ready to step up your game a little get the cybersyncs. I have them and they are so much better then the cheap triggers, they have good range and great reliability.

http://www.flickr.com …iscuss/72157611​535964184/

Yongnuo CTR-301P another good ebay trigger.

Mufutau

mrrod2001 wrote in post #8163602
Want to try some off camera lighting and was wondering which "cheap" triggers seemed to have the best luck?

High end=PW, radio poppers etc---Can't afford
Mid=Cyber sync's, sky port's, etc---can't justify for goofing around/learning

Low end=Cactus v4, other eBay type this is what I'm going for so was wondering which are the best.
I was leaning toward the cactus v4 or wait for radio popper Jr but who knows when or how much those will be.
Any input would help.

Thanks

I used the Yongnuo radio transmitters and they were junk. The angle bracket causes your flash to stick out and partially shoot outside of the umbrella. The bracket also was a bit top heavy no matter how tight I made the screw.

Depending on your range requirement and location to buy a (or another) 580exii(while still on rebate). It'll get your other flash off camera, and if you love this system, later on you can invest in a pocketwizard and you have 2 flashes now!

I like eTTL too much to give it up by using non eTTL transmitters. It's not that I'm against manual flash, it's that its easier to not walk over to adjust them.

I too am using CTR-301P. Great for my use.

+1 for the CTR-301Ps ... go for wireless within 20-30 foot ... if you want more then you need to spend more IMO

Yes Cyber sync's i would love but can't afford for something i may use once a month.
I was leaning towards cactus v4's but will have to look in to the Yongnuo CTR-301P's maybe they will be better for my ap.

mrrod2001 wrote in post #8169036
Yes Cyber sync's i would love but can't afford for something i may use once a month.
I was leaning towards cactus v4's but will have to look in to the Yongnuo CTR-301P's maybe they will be better for my ap.

I think the main problem with Cactus is that is really a turkey shoot with what you are going to get. I was lucky enough to get 2 full sets of 1 trans/ 3 receivers that all worked perfectly. Others have had some serious issues trying to get a working product.

One word of advice.....if you do go cactus change all the batteries out with quality batteries when you receive them.

I have a set of the 301P's and have had pretty good luck with them. They seem to be reliable enough, about 99.5%, and I have used them quit a bit since I got them (about 1500 shots). I've only had a a couple of time a flash didn't fire, and only a few times of one firing on its own.

i love my cactus triggers

I've had mixed results with Cactus, especially when triggering the shoe of the 285HVs instead of through the cable, on one of 3 cactuses. The ideal comprimise really are the Cybersyncs - a great bargain considering range, reliability, fit and compatibility, etc. For example: cheap light-weight stand + head/umbrella mount + cactus + 285 HV or heavier flash mounted on hotshoe = wobbly awkward contraption.

Good luck.

I bought a set but finally give up on them and sold them. I tried them on a 430EX, a Vivitar 283 and a Vivitar Series Model 600 flash. I don't know what type of photography you are interested in, and misfires my not mean much to you, but I want the flash to fire every time I press the shutter.

Regardless of whether I had the flashes setup in a gym or at the church for a Christmas play, I expect the trigger/receivers to be reliable.

A set of Universal Skyports and 1 extra receiver work great with my flashes. That's a little less than $300 for everything, plus you may need a cable or hot shoe adapter for each flash and you'll be all set.

I've said it before, I shot two basketball games with any misfires. That was 600 - 800 shots over a 2 1/2 hour period.

I know you said the Skyports are out of your budget but they do work really well.

Good luck in your search.
Mike

Another vote, For the Yongnuo CTR-301P's
Got 5 of them and still haven't changed their shipped batteries after 4 months...