Pocket Wizard Mini TT1 and Flex TT5 For Nikon STILL not happening

I know I could have just posted this to an existing Pocket Wizard thread but since it's Nikon specific I chose to keep it separate.

In a nustshell, there is no news.

I just spoke to the people at Pocket Wizard/MAC Group and I'm even more disappointed then before.

Like many, I've been following very closely to see how the Canon fiasco played out and to also to see when the Nikon versions of the Mini and Flex will be released. Every so often there is an update on the Pocket Wizard site and the last blurb indicated that testing was going well and they expected to be shipping in August.

Well, it's now mid-August and I haven't seen or heard any updates. I called this morning and just found out that they have no updates or a release date but when I pushed for some sort of estimate for release I was told that they expect it to be sometime in the Fall. UGH!

I'm hoping that means that they'll have it ready and working in October for the PhotoPlus Expo.

So, in summary... there's no news.

Robert, I though you Nikon guys aleady had the wonderful CLS system so why PW?

bobbyz wrote in post #10693874
Robert, I though you Nikon guys aleady had the wonderful CLS system so why PW?

Very simple Bobby. Nikons CLS system is an IR system, not radio. It has the same types of limitations as Canon's IR systems.

We (Nikon guys) have had it built in to our cameras way before Canon but in terms of functionality it's the same.

Additionally, when using focal plane mode (hss) the power drops way down as shutter speed increases, whereas the PW's have overcome that to some degree and you get more out of your flash at those higher speeds.

TMR Design wrote in post #10693780
Like many, I've been following very closely to see how the Canon fiasco played out and to also to see when the Nikon versions of the Mini and Flex will be released. Every so often there is an update on the Pocket Wizard site and the last blurb indicated that testing was going well and they expected to be shipping in August.

I have a few TT5s (for Canon obviously) - can you elaborate on the fiasco? Only picked them up about a month ago - still experimenting/learning​, and I don't remember hearing about a fiasco....

At least the SB and SU Infrared units still perform quite decently even with direct sunlight. With Canon, forget it.

The fiasco would be Canon inability to control the RF noise their speedlights emits..But PW surely isnt without blame, there's been more issues then limited range with the new PW's.

SMP_Homer wrote in post #10694132
I have a few TT5s (for Canon obviously) - can you elaborate on the fiasco? Only picked them up about a month ago - still experimenting/learning​, and I don't remember hearing about a fiasco....

I'm just referring to the problems with the 580 EXII and issues with RF and loss of range. That was and is a headache for Pocket Wizard and huge numbers of Canon shooters. I know they have the sock and the shield but it hasn't taken the bad taste out of people's mouth's.

taxsux wrote in post #10694159
At least the SB and SU Infrared units still perform quite decently even with direct sunlight. With Canon, forget it.

That's questionable. I had a flawless shoot recently because I was shaded. The other day I had another shoot outdoors under bright Sun and the system failed miserably.

As good as it is or can be, it's not consistent enough to count on for a working photographer.

Rob is there a reason you want Pocket Wizards over Radio Poppers? Is there any feature you think they offer or could offer you that Radio Poppers aren't already doing? I see where Pocket Wizard has a new Elinchrom power controller coming out that may be of interest to you but strictly speaking in terms of your Nikon Speedlights why would Pocket Wizards be a better choice?

The Radio Poppers offer more flexibilty and creative possibilities than does the Pocket Wizards and everything they can do with Canons they can do with Nikons right now with no waiting.

I have been using Pocket Wizard Plus and Plus II's for about 8 years so I seriously looked and continue to look at the Pocket Wizard Flex and Mini but I continue to see issues that I do not have to deal with using Radio Poppers plus every new feature they introduce Radio Popper has already beat them to the punch.

Rob,
The AC7 was supposed to come out Spring 2009 and it is just now starting to appear in stores in limited supplies, 15 months late. And, that was just a piece of plastic. Seems to be the norm for Pocketwizard lately. Just look at it this way, better to wait for something of quality than to be their beta testers (Which is what v1 of the tt1/tt5 was).

agv8or wrote in post #10695059
Rob is there a reason you want Pocket Wizards over Radio Poppers? Is there any feature you think they offer or could offer you that Radio Poppers aren't already doing? I see where Pocket Wizard has a new Elinchrom power controller coming out that may be of interest to you but strictly speaking in terms of your Nikon Speedlights why would Pocket Wizards be a better choice?

The Radio Poppers offer more flexibilty and creative possibilities than does the Pocket Wizards and everything they can do with Canons they can do with Nikons right now with no waiting.

I have been using Pocket Wizard Plus and Plus II's for about 8 years so I seriously looked and continue to look at the Pocket Wizard Flex and Mini but I continue to see issues that I do not have to deal with using Radio Poppers plus every new feature they introduce Radio Popper has already beat them to the punch.

Part of what will always keep me using Pocket Wizards is the seamless integration with Sekonic light meters. I know and full understand how to use the cordless auto-reset mode but I don't care for working that way. I like to just push the button on the Sekonic and take a reading. I want it that simple.

Radio Poppers is an entirely different system with no compatibility with anything other than itself and TTL flashes. I already own Pocket Wizard Plus II's which I plan on keeping and using. Pocket Wizard offers me a system that's widely used, easily rentable, and works right in with the gear I currently own and plan to own.

I don't really care for the bulk and the method of attaching the RPs. Just a preference but I think it looks clunky. I know the system works but I'm not in that much of a hurry that I want to invest in RP's rather than waiting for PW's. After all, I've been waiting about a year already so a few more months isn't going to kill me.

Radio TTL is a very small part of what I do... VERY small, so I don't think it makes sense for me to get into another proprietary system that won't integrate or make use of the gear I already have.

wdwpsu wrote in post #10695074
Rob,
The AC7 was supposed to come out Spring 2009 and it is just now starting to appear in stores in limited supplies, 15 months late. And, that was just a piece of plastic. Seems to be the norm for Pocketwizard lately. Just look at it this way, better to wait for something of quality than to be their beta testers (Which is what v1 of the tt1/tt5 was).

Exactly. That's what I told myself. I'd rather have then take their time so that when they hit the streets we won't have to jump through hoops to get it working. If I was a Canon shooter and had to deal with that whole nightmare I have to say I'd be really pissed.

Re: fiasco - anyone have any links to the modification that can be performed on certain 580EXII's to reduce/eliminate RF noise? I think I might try this if I ever find my TT5's are having problems.

starcentral wrote in post #10695125
Re: fiasco - anyone have any links to the modification that can be performed on certain 580EXII's to reduce/eliminate RF noise? I think I might try this if I ever find my TT5's are having problems.

i'd be interested in this too. however, i don't see those 3 stores that are currently doing this for around $75 a pop just giving that info out. i guess we'll have to wait for someone with enough knowledge and is daring enough to do it.

TMR Design wrote in post #10695098
Part of what will always keep me using Pocket Wizards is the seamless integration with Sekonic light meters. I know and full understand how to use the cordless auto-reset mode but I don't care for working that way. I like to just push the button on the Sekonic and take a reading. I want it that simple.

Radio Poppers is an entirely different system with no compatibility with anything other than itself and TTL flashes. I already own Pocket Wizard Plus II's which I plan on keeping and using. Pocket Wizard offers me a system that's widely used, easily rentable, and works right in with the gear I currently own and plan to own.

I don't really care for the bulk and the method of attaching the RPs. Just a preference but I think it looks clunky. I know the system works but I'm not in that much of a hurry that I want to invest in RP's rather than waiting for PW's. After all, I've been waiting about a year already so a few more months isn't going to kill me.

Radio TTL is a very small part of what I do... VERY small, so I don't think it makes sense for me to get into another proprietary system that won't integrate or make use of the gear I already have.

Rob I couldn't agree more with your first statement about the meters and it was one of my major concerns I had as well considering the fact I love to meter, I have 3 Sekonic meters with Pocket Wizard modules and I have 10 Pocket Wizard transceivers. But, I couldn't disagree more about your second statement and the compatiblity isssue.

Radio Poppers are compatible with everything the Pocket Wizards are and more. Until Pocket Wizard makes available their PowerST4 receiver for Elinchroms, Radio Popper blows them away in this department. The JRX receivers will trigger any flash that a Pocket Wizard Plus transceiver will and with the Studio version you can not only trigger but also control the flash output of any PCB strobe, except for the new Einsteins, with either the PX or JRX transmitters. Pocket Wizard is supposed to have an AC9 Aliens Bees adapter coming out but with Radio Poppers that has been useable for a year now.

I can see your interest in Pocket Wizards from the stand point of the possible Elinchrom receiver with power output control but as far as using your Sekonic meter did you know you can still use your Pocket Wizard transceivers and meter them with your Sekonic meter using Radio Poppers? All you have to do is piggy back one Radio Popper Basic receiver to one PW Plus transceiver and then that PW transceiver will trigger all of your other PW transceivers and you'll be able to meter those transceivers the same as always but, with the added benefit of integrating your Nikon wireless system all via radio control.

I know Rob that you put a lot of thought into your purchases and I am not trying to persuade you otherwise but rather just pointing out a few facts that people have misconceptions about. If Nikon users want to have radio control of their proprietary wireless system before the Myan Calender ends then Radio Poppers are availble for use now. You can always sell the Radio Poppers on ebay if and when Pocket Wizard makes available a Nikon compatible system.