Yongnuo RF-602 or PW Mini TT1 & Flex TT5

no, i know the 580 will still require IR. I'm saying, that i want 1.) a 580, and 2.) a wireless trigger.

the 580 is not the issue here, it's the wireless trigger. still deciding which one to get

i LOVE my Flex/Mini. they work great. I do not have any problems or misfire when using it with my 580EX and 580EX II. yes I do have 430EX II and now that's pretty much what I am using for my OCF. The 580EX II are only being use when I need a flash on top camera or mini. its cheaper to get two 430EX II then buying two 580EX II. Plus you dont really need that much power if you gonna use OCF. you can ALWAYS move the flash closer to the subject.

yes I will say there are bugz, problems, issue with the Flex/Mini when using the 580EX II. I witnessed it when my colleague two flashes stopped working at a wedding. then again what product is perfect!!!! Even RP has their share of problems. i heard that antenna breaks alot. i know one of my friend has replaced his a few times. ... and he has already told me it aint all that.

RLPhoto wrote in post #10730046
no, i know the 580 will still require IR. I'm saying, that i want 1.) a 580, and 2.) a wireless trigger.

the 580 is not the issue here, it's the wireless trigger. still deciding which one to get

For Non TTL, you're choices are:
- Yognuo, there are several wireless triggers, but the most popular are the RF-602. Allot of people use them here on POTN, including myself. (cheap)
- Cowboy Studios, there are several models as well. (cheap)
- Cybersyncs (cheap)
- Other cheap China made triggers (cheap)
- PocketWizard Plus & Multimax. Although expensive, these, from what I understand, were practically the industry standard for professionals.

For TTL (more $$$), you're choices are:
- Pocket Wizard (MiniTT1 & FlexTT5)
- Radio Poppers. Older units require mounting it to a flash, on top of your camera. I understand newer units do not.


As far as my own experiences, I use PW FlexTT5's. The MiniTT1 & FlexTT5's are new for PocketWizard, so there are expected bugs for new products. But for my purpose, they work and work well, as reported by some people here. This is my 1st experience with TTL. I can basically do FEC on the camera and it will automatically make the changes on the flash. You can also set up to 3 groups of flashes/strobes to use.

My other experience is with RF-602's. For simple NON TTL, they work. There are reported issues of the units failing, but what do you expect from very cheap triggers. Usually it's best to buy an extra spare. Another issue is the little metal contacts for the batteries sometimes bends back and loses contact with the batteries. The easy fix is just to bend it back.

Most of these triggers can also remotely fire your camera.

^^^^ actually you are wrong in the assumption that you need a flash on top of the camera to work with the radiopoppers. Their new system doesn't require that.

BoneJj wrote in post #10731970
^^^^ actually you are wrong in the assumption that you need a flash on top of the camera to work with the radiopoppers. Their new system doesn't require that.

Thanks for the correction. I modified my above post.

ecub wrote in post #10731994
Thanks for the correction. I modified my above post.

yeah, you should check out the new JRX system. I've been wanting to get some of those for a while now. they would make life so easy. plus they are something like nearly 1/2 the cost of other systems out there. granted TRUE TTL straight from the camera does require other stuff but the jrx units allow for simple dial control of the strobes.

The one problem with that is that power settings aren't exact. So if you want to duplicate the exact same lighting from shoot to shoot it can be a pain to get everything dialed back in, to where you want it to be.

So in essence you are right about true ttl but they kind of twist it to a twisted version of ttl, lol. It gets a little confusing when you start reading about all the various ways to hook their stuff into the strobes and camera and all that... however, their various receivers are kind backwards compatible as well. So you can combine systems.

There are also the Pixel Knights for your list of TTL triggers. They go for about $150, give or take, on eBay.

Nightdiver13 wrote in post #10732106
There are also the Pixel Knights for your list of TTL triggers. They go for about $150, give or take, on eBay.

who makes these? and wow, 150 a pop, that's not horrible but it's certainly not great either.

It'd be nice if we could get good ttl for around 100 a unit....

BoneJj wrote in post #10732181
who makes these? and wow, 150 a pop, that's not horrible but it's certainly not great either.

It'd be nice if we could get good ttl for around 100 a unit....

Pixel is the manufacturer, and $150 is for the receiver/transmitter pair. Pixel makes other accessories, such as the generally well regarded external battery pack for speedlites.

I wanted to try the PK's, but I can't find a place to buy the receivers only. I'm thinking of buying 1 transmitter 3/receiver set.

ecub wrote in post #10732231
I wanted to try the PK's, but I can't find a place to buy the receivers only. I'm thinking of buying 1 transmitter 3/receiver set.

HERE is one place. I in no way vouch for them, or that they sell the current version of the knights. Why are you interested in buying just the receiver? Do you already have a transmitter, or is there some other way to use the receivers?

Nightdiver13 wrote in post #10732199
Pixel is the manufacturer, and $150 is for the receiver/transmitter pair. Pixel makes other accessories, such as the generally well regarded external battery pack for speedlites.

that's not half bad there... but yeah, I'd have to do some digging on their product to see if it's problematic or worth the money vs another system. Seeing as this is the first I'm hearing of them it will require some research.

I also would want to be able to buy just the receivers as well, as I expand my kit/strobes. You only need one transmitter so you should be able to buy the receivers without issue as a single unit.

Also looking at these units... it's a bit disapointing that they place the screen/buttons where they do. That makes it really difficult to make adjustments or changes to the unites once you place a flash on top. You would either have to disconnect the strobe and then change whatever on the receiver.

BoneJj wrote in post #10732304
that's not half bad there... but yeah, I'd have to do some digging on their product to see if it's problematic or worth the money vs another system. Seeing as this is the first I'm hearing of them it will require some research.

I also would want to be able to buy just the receivers as well, as I expand my kit/strobes. You only need one transmitter so you should be able to buy the receivers without issue as a single unit.

Also looking at these units... it's a bit disapointing that they place the screen/buttons where they do. That makes it really difficult to make adjustments or changes to the unites once you place a flash on top. You would either have to disconnect the strobe and then change whatever on the receiver.

Wow, you're spot on with your first glance! The positioning of that is one of the main complaints of those units. HERE is the POTN thread about these. Very long and detailed, and thanks in large part to CliveyBoy, VERY informative and helpful. If you flip to the last page, you'll see that these have gone through several revisions, and while far from perfect, are a very viable alternative to the PW and RP units.

Nightdiver13 wrote in post #10732367
Wow, you're spot on with your first glance! The positioning of that is one of the main complaints of those units. HERE is the POTN thread about these. Very long and detailed, and thanks in large part to CliveyBoy, VERY informative and helpful. If you flip to the last page, you'll see that these have gone through several revisions, and while far from perfect, are a very viable alternative to the PW and RP units.

lol, thanks. yeah I recognize this because of the issues with my Cactus v4 set. their on switch is on the top next to where the flash sits, I now keep a few paper clips in the side pockets of my bag so that I can flip the switches on and off. without having to remove the strobe when I'm taking a brake form shooting but don't want to tear down my setup.

But the Cactus V4 only has a switch, not a screen or other buttons.

I'll be reading through that thread this afternoon though. Thanks for the link! Much appreciated.

Nightdiver13 wrote in post #10732259
HERE is one place. I in no way vouch for them, or that they sell the current version of the knights. Why are you interested in buying just the receiver? Do you already have a transmitter, or is there some other way to use the receivers?

Only places I've seen them is with a set with 1 transmitter and 1 receiver. I haven't seen any places that sell, additional receiver kits. Like the RF-602's where you can buy 2-4 receivers as a set with 1 transmitter. But at $100 per receiver, I may have to hold off trying them, since I already spent some $$$ on 4 FlexTT5's. Besides, since the PK's are rather new, I'm sure there are bugs as well. I might as well wait until a version 2 comes out on the PK's.