School me on PW's and Cybersyncs

I dont have any lighting except a few flashes. 580s do okay setup but the OCF doesnt seem to fire all the time through IR.

I keep reading of Pocketwizards and cybersyncs. Ive read and read, but all it has done is confused me.

Could some one tell me what I need for the camera and 2 flashes (umbrellas, softboxs when they come)

If you have part numbers that would make it a lot easier.

I thought for sure that i would figure it out when i looked at cybersyncs on their webpage but that didnt work out to well either it seems.

TIA
Kevin

Uh..1 transmitter, 2 recievers?

Links..
one of these http://alienbees.com/c​ybersync.html#cst

two of these http://alienbees.com/c​ybersync.html#csrb

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=732872

If you want/need to retain ETTL function on your flash units the newest PWs are the ones you will need - Flextt or some such. If you don't need ETTL and are OK with manual flash either the standard PWs or Cybersyncs will work.

For cost/performance reasons I use Cybersyncs. PWs are about $100 more each than Cybersyncs but have greater range. Cybersyncs work out to 300+ feet. You will need a transmitter for the camera and a receiver for each flash.

The Cybersync models are the CST and the CSRB. The models with suffix of + are for a yet to be released transmitter that allows remote control of power levels on Alien Bee studio strobes.

Paul Li wrote in post #8407895
Uh..1 transmitter, 2 recievers?

Links..
one of these http://alienbees.com/c​ybersync.html#cst

two of these http://alienbees.com/c​ybersync.html#csrb

This was my confusion on their page...

Your links are the exact same thing though different URL's

I think Ive figured it out though now.

Titus213 wrote in post #8408009
If you want/need to retain ETTL function on your flash units the newest PWs are the ones you will need - Flextt or some such. If you don't need ETTL and are OK with manual flash either the standard PWs or Cybersyncs will work.

For cost/performance reasons I use Cybersyncs. PWs are about $100 more each than Cybersyncs but have greater range. Cybersyncs work out to 300+ feet. You will need a transmitter for the camera and a receiver for each flash.

The Cybersync models are the CST and the CSRB. The models with suffix of + are for a yet to be released transmitter that allows remote control of power levels on Alien Bee studio strobes.

Thank you for a useful reply.

PW's=godly
CyberSyncs=meh

made me laugh

jbergdoll wrote in post #8411973
PW's=godly
CyberSyncs=meh

PW flex equals crap on 580ex II
Cybersync on 580ex II equals

PWs = $170 each
Cybersyncs = $70 each

gh patriot wrote in post #8412476
PW flex equals crap on 580ex II
Cybersync on 580ex II equals

PW Plus II > *

So why PWs or Cybersyncs ? Are you going to trigger your strobes from so far away that you do not see them ?
Just buy yourself a couple of ebay triggers such as for example CTR 301 or Cactus 4 They are very reliable and you can have 4 receivers and a trigger for the price of one Cybersync only. I even do not mention PWs.
I have a fes V2s, which are an older model and never gave my any problems. The newer ones ( see above are reported to be even better )
If you ever go professional and will want to look kool with pocket wizards handing from your equipment you can always sell the ebay triggers for almost what you bought them for.

Ebays will only cause unnecessary headaches. They are $30 for a reason, because they are JUNK.

Thought I'd jump in here with another brand...

What are the opinions of the Calumet Radio Trigger/Receiver? This could be another inexpensive option.

I just got to use my pocket wizards with my 5D2 and 580II. For the first real time today on some on location portraits. With the ETTL, they are amazing. I can't post anything now as I only have the BlackBerry internet right now.

I'd say I had a 5% missfire rate. Some may be my fault. The rest were spectacular.

I will say, thay aren't exactly plug and play. It takes some tinkering for the configuration to work properly. But now my setup works slick.