Signal Propagation - Combining RF-602 with Pocket Wizards

I had a shoot last week, and we were lighting with a combination of Norman packs/heads and Dynalite packs/heads. In addition to mixed lighting gear, we had a variety of triggers. To simplify things, I decided to use "signal propagation" so that I could use different branded trigger systems together (I didn't have enough of any single system to fire all the lights).

I used a pair of RF-602s to trigger a single Pocket Wizard transmitter and a single Skyport transmitter. Each of those triggers fired their corresponding receivers perfectly.

I fired off several hundred frames without a single misfire. Only the RF-602 transmitter was mounted to my camera. The Pocket Wizard and Skyport receivers were triggered by the serial "signal propagation" through their respective transmitters which were just sitting off to the side on a table.

Here's a picture of the Pocket Wizard transmitter mounted onto one of the RF-602 receivers.

I finally had a chance to test the signal propagation with a Cyber Commander and RF-602 combination. It worked flawlessly, just like with the Pocket Wizard II and Skyport. Here are the sync speeds I was able to achieve with the CC & RF-602 combination:

5D MkII: 1/160
7D: 1/200
G11: 1/640

I am very pleased that there is no radio interference with the Cyber Commander, because this will allow me to keep it OFF the camera, and only insert the MUCH smaller RF-602 Tx in the hotshoe. Controling my E640 strobes via the CC is so much easier with the CC off the camera. Furthermore, since the foot of the CC is able to rotate (this is a nice feature), I am able to fold the CC flat against the RF-602 Rx unit, which results in a very compact combination. Instead of trying to manipulate the CC "joy sticks" while on the camera, I can set the camera down and very easily control all features of the strobes from the palm of my hand. This is very nice when the lights are up high or on a boom. Then, I just set the CC/RF-602 combination down & start shooting. ... No need to re-mount it on the camera.

Here's a picture of the Cyber Commander transmitter mounted onto one of the RF-602 receivers:

I'm surprised there aren't a million posts on this one. I shoot with the same rf-602's. I'm not sure how what you mean by signal propagation. I've wanted to rent and add some flashes and triggers to my system but was unsure of how to go about it. Are you saying that if set to the same channel I can fire pocket wizards with my rf-602? I see you the pocket wizard mounted to the rf602 but that pocket wizard mount is just a plastic foot, correct?

-Nakean

http://www.nakean.com

Nackattack wrote in post #11610405
I'm surprised there aren't a million posts on this one. I shoot with the same rf-602's. I'm not sure how what you mean by signal propagation. I've wanted to rent and add some flashes and triggers to my system but was unsure of how to go about it. Are you saying that if set to the same channel I can fire pocket wizards with my rf-602? I see you the pocket wizard mounted to the rf602 but that pocket wizard mount is just a plastic foot, correct?

-Nakean

Since you revived this thread, I'll try to answer your question. This is NOT about setting the different trigger systems to the same channel and one firing all. Instead, you put a transmitter on camera (in the OP this was a RF-602 because it is smaller and doesn't look so clunky - but also didn't have enough receivers of any one type) and then it fires the RF-602 receivers. BUT...instead of having flashes on these 602 receivers, there are transmitters from the other trigger systems (the OP did this with Pocket Wizards and Skyports and then later with Cyber Commanders). When these transmitters receive the signal from the 602s, they in turn propagate the signal and fire their corresponding receivers.

Incidentally, I have also done this with the cheap "cactus"-style triggers - I have two different sets that must have different frequencies - anyway, all receivers can't be fired by one transmitter. These cheapies don't propagate as well as this OP found - but there was one arrangement that would work and thus I could utilize all of my receivers (minus one used to trigger the second transmitter).

So, it you rent some other triggers, you hook the transmitter to one of your 602 receivers and then you can use the corresponding rental receivers (as well as any other 602 receivers that you have).

Hope that helps you to understand and didn't cause more confusion.

I have found it also works the other way round.
I have Pocket Wizard ControlTL TT1s and TT5s. I also have several YN manual 560s. Unfortunately they are noisy like the 580EX. However, mounting an RF-602 transmitter on a TT5 permits me to add the manual 560s to a lighting scheme using RF-602s to fire them.

And the RF-602s would fire anything else they are plugged into as well. And, since the ControlTL TT1 is on the camera the Hyper Sync off set works so there is some hyper sync benefit using the flashes via the TT5 to RF-602 connection.

Got it! So I just eat up one of my rf602's by connecting it to a pocketwizard but then can rent/use any number of pocket wizards to add lights! Thank you!

Going to google it myself here but do you have a good site for the commander explanation. I understand you use to individually control the lights via their receivers but do you need special ttl receivers in order for this to all work?

Thank again,

-Nakean
http://www.nakean.com

dmward wrote in post #11612476
I have found it also works the other way round.
I have Pocket Wizard ControlTL TT1s and TT5s. I also have several YN manual 560s. Unfortunately they are noisy like the 580EX. However, mounting an RF-602 transmitter on a TT5 permits me to add the manual 560s to a lighting scheme using RF-602s to fire them.

And the RF-602s would fire anything else they are plugged into as well. And, since the ControlTL TT1 is on the camera the Hyper Sync off set works so there is some hyper sync benefit using the flashes via the TT5 to RF-602 connection.

That is a good point - I just read another thread where this sort of arrangement was mentioned. Using a PW system on the camera allowed HSS or Hyper Sync, as you mentioned, for other trigger systems.

Cool concept and a way to make use of the extra trigger sets that many of us have laying around!

Nackattack wrote in post #11612569
Going to google it myself here but do you have a good site for the commander explanation. I understand you use to individually control the lights via their receivers but do you need special ttl receivers in order for this to all work?

I only know what I have read - don't have that system. But in the configuration described in the OP (602 Tx on camera), I'm guessing the flashes can't be controlled remotely from the camera since the 602 system doesn't have that capability.

If you read the OP's second post, controlling the lights is actually easier this way. He states that instead of having the Cyber Commander on his camera, he can conveniently keep it in his shirt pocket (or anywhere else convenient). ... It's a lot easier controlling things from the palm of your hand, rather than fiddling with something attached to the top of your camera!

After reading this thread quite some time ago, I've observed a number of other working professionals using this technique. It can certainly be used to trigger multiple systems from a single transmitter, as well as providing the convenience of getting a large transmitter off the camera. In the case of any transmitter that also allows complete control of your lights, this has to be a huge plus since it puts the controls in the palm of your hand.

I remember speaking to the OP about this, and he has a lot of gear. The only cost-effective way for him to trigger lots of lights with a mixture of PWs, Skyports, and Cyber Syncs, was to use this "signal propagation" technique. I think he still does it this way.