Canon ETTL Trigger - Which One

I think I have read most of the threads on the subject of triggers and I may now be more confused then when I started.

It seems the current choices are:

1) Pocket Wizard - Mini TT1 & Flex TT5
Looks like it would be the ideal solution but lots of web traffic about interference with Canon flash units - erratic performance - distance issues- also expensive for something without great reviews.

2)Radio Popper PX units - Also expensive but a fair amount of good reviews. Need a flash on the camera which is not my first choice as I believe it makes the camera too top heavy. Could be used with the ST-E2 which would provide focus assist but you are locked into controlling only 2 flash groups and 3 would seem to be much better.

3)Pixel Tr-332 - reasonable price but seem about to be replaced and there seems to be some problems with a Canon 5D2. Not a lot of user reports so it's hard to judge.

I have a Canon 5d2 and have other triggers such as Radio Popper Jrx, and the Cybersyncs and they both work great but I don't have TTl with these. I have an ST-E2 but find it difficult to use and keep the flash in line of sight with the camera.

Anyone with some hands on experience that would like to help me make a decision?

Jim

I've been using the RadioPopper P1's since their release and I think they're great. I've never had an issue with only two flash groups and they're reliable (and high sync).

The PX's are better built and are cheaper than the P1's, so I'd got for those.

I always felt that Pocket Wizard kinda came late onto the TTL trigger scene and have been playing catch up since.

My limited experience with the MiniTT1/FlexTT5 on my 5D2 has been very good. No interference from the 580EX II either. The FlexTT5 does come with a free RF shielding sock to put over the flash if there are any issues though.

You missed the obvious - a 580exII itself.

Recently, I was turned onto using a 580exII in Master mode, on the end of a long ETTL cord. When used like this, it can turn into both a useful light *and* the master, and you get full control of it on the back of the camera body too (so it could be tucked up in a softbox, or high up in the air).

25' cables are $50 from FlashZebra - a TON cheaper than radio options, which don't give full control.

The only thing you lose when you do this (assuming you have slaves involved) is second curtain sync.

pcj wrote in post #11213304
You missed the obvious - a 580exII itself.

Recently, I was turned onto using a 580exII in Master mode, on the end of a long ETTL cord. When used like this, it can turn into both a useful light *and* the master, and you get full control of it on the back of the camera body too (so it could be tucked up in a softbox, or high up in the air).

25' cables are $50 from FlashZebra - a TON cheaper than radio options, which don't give full control.

The only thing you lose when you do this (assuming you have slaves involved) is second curtain sync.

Beat me to it...I'd have made the same suggestion. Why give up the versatility of the 580 EX (or for that matter, the 550 EX) when you can have it all with the cord from Flash Zebra at a fraction of the cost of the ST-E2 which is less versatile, & needs line of sight (due to whatever "near infrared" is)???

I wasn't aware that you lose second shutter sync, but if that's so it wouldn't be due to the E-TTL cord -The cord puts no limits on the Canon E=TTL system.

Lon at Flash Zebra is great to deal with and an active member here on POTN..... His cords and service are first rate.

Peace,
D.

Thanks for all the info. While using a 580 on the camera, or on a cord, would certainly work it doesn't allow for the flexibility I would like. I do agree that Flash Zebra is a great place to buy needed supplies.

I would love to hear more experiences about the 3 remote triggers and how well they have worked (or not) for you.

Jim

What do you photograph using off camera lighting? My preference is for manual flash when things are off camera, I find it more consistent, so long as the subject isn't moving too much.

I recently started shooting with a local Strobist group and the shooting environment can be unpredictable and quickly changing. Shoots can be urban structures or people in an urban environment.
Jim

Once you get more experienced with manual flash it's quite easy. I need an assistant for that type of shooting though.

Delija wrote in post #11214280
Beat me to it...I'd have made the same suggestion. Why give up the versatility of the 580 EX (or for that matter, the 550 EX) when you can have it all with the cord from Flash Zebra at a fraction of the cost of the ST-E2 which is less versatile, & needs line of sight (due to whatever "near infrared" is)???

I wasn't aware that you lose second shutter sync, but if that's so it wouldn't be due to the E-TTL cord -The cord puts no limits on the Canon E=TTL system.

Lon at Flash Zebra is great to deal with and an active member here on POTN..... His cords and service are first rate.

Peace,
D.

If you stick with a single 580exII on the cord, you obviously have everything (HSS, Second curtain) - it's when you then slave a second speedlite off that - you then lose Second Curtain, but retain HSS.

When you shoot wirelessly from the 7D or ST-E2, you lose both HSS and Second Curtain (not so sure about the ST-E2 - I use the 7D)

tim wrote in post #11214926
Once you get more experienced with manual flash it's quite easy. I need an assistant for that type of shooting though.

Thats why I'm so turned onto the 580exII on the end of a long ETTL cord - you can have both ETTL *and* full manual mode, and best yet, new bodies (5DIIs, 7Ds etc) can control all those functions right from the back of the camera.

Sure, there are environments it's not so handy to have a long cable (shooting at a wedding, kids etc), but for the majority of situations it's really not that much of a problem.

The key difference between manual and TTL is that one relies on pre-metering and consistent distance, the other relies on reflective metering and a thinking photographer to interpret the information the meter is providing relative to the subject.

I agree with Tim, that when a light is off camera on a stand and distance is constant, manual makes life easy. On the other hand, Control TL PWs offer the best of both worlds with the AC3 controller on the camera. It can be switched between manual and TTL on a channel specific basis and also provide up to 6 stops of control in either mode.

And, for very little money PCJ's suggestion for a long cable is a great way to learn as well as an easy way to control the off camera flash from the camera. Until someone trips over it.

dmward wrote in post #11216908
...
And, for very little money PCJ's suggestion for a long cable is a great way to learn as well as an easy way to control the off camera flash from the camera. Until someone trips over it.

From experience, someone is as likely to trip over my cable as they are to blindly walk into the fricking light stand (grr - HOW DO YOU MISS IT?!) or, my favorite, smack their head into the 24" softbox they managed to not see.

No cure for stupid people.

Once you go wireless you won't go back to the cable. But you will pay lot more for the wireless. I mostly use Plus IIs with flash/strobe in manual mode but lately playing with mini/Flex with flash in eTTL mode. Nice to be able to shoot at f2.0.

Just got my AC3 a day before and tried it last night and I am loving this little thing. Worth it IMHO. Better than going into camera menu and what not. Just rotate the wheel to adjust power of any of your three flashes. Don't want to use a flash, turn it off by flipping the switch on the AC3 for that flash. Very nice.

Bobby,

Are you having any interference issues? Other problems? Or- does the ETTL work as it should?

Jim