Why Use Pocketwizards?

[crosbyharbison]

So if I'm controlling 2 canon 580 ex II's why not just use canon's solution the ST-E2?


It sounds expensive and bulky to replicate the features already built into the flash units or is there something I'm not getting here.

[George Slusher]

Good question, but there is something you're not getting. Unless you're talking about the new PocketWizard E-TTL system (Mini TT-1 and Flex TT5), it's two quite different systems. The ST-E2 is a "wireless controller" that works with some Canon flashes (and some Sigma flashes, like the 500 DG Super). It acts much like a 580EX attached to your camera. (In fact, you can use a 580EX that way, turning off its own flash.) It exchanges exposure settings with the remote flashes. It can work very well. (Note the conditional phrase.)


But--and this is a big "but"--it has major limitations that can make a wireless set-up difficult or even impossible.


1. The flashes have to "see" the ST-E2 signals. Their sensors have to FACE the ST-E2 for best results. IF you're in a small room, the ST-E2's infrared signal can bounce off walls, but that reduces the range and reliability. Otherwise, you'll have to turn the flash bodies so that they face the ST-E2's location, then turn the heads in the direction you need


2. For the same reason, it's difficult to set up a wireless network with umbrellas, though you can turn the cold shoe on the umbrella bracket around so that the flash sensor faces away from the umbrella. Even then, though, they probably won't directly face the camera. It's even more difficult to do a wireless set-up with softboxes, scrims, and other modifiers that block the flash sensor.


3. A ST-E2 (or 580EX/580EX II) controlled network is even more problematic outdoors. If you're shooting in the daytime, using fill flash, you can probably forget about a wireless network--you'll have the proverbial slim and no chances.


4. Wireless networks are notoriously unreliable--thepercentage of mis-fires can be quite high unless you're in optimal conditions.


5. To make matters worse, the ST-E2 uses an odd battery (2CR5) that can be hard to find and is not cheap. When I got mine, I tried to find a battery locally. One (of three) Radio Shack store had one for something like $20+. Finally, I found one at Best Buy for about $13. (I later ordered two from an eBay seller for $5 each with free shipping. B&H has them for $6 plus shipping.) That's a far cry from AA alkalines that the PocketWizards use.


The PocketWizard (PW) Plus transceivers, on the other hand, are wireless remote triggers. They don't support E-TTL. Their job is to transmit and receive a simple radio signal that tells the remote flash(es) to fire. The lack of TTL is the obvious disadvantage (that also means no high-speed sync) but the advantages are significant:


1. Much longer range--up to 300 ft in the best circumstances, vs maybe 20 ft for the ST-E2. I've gotten at least 180 ft.


2. Line-of-sight is not required. The remote flash can be behind a wall, for example, or behind the camera--almost anywhere. (Some indoor sports photographers put flashes up above the arena/court, firing down, for example.)


3. Works outdoors as well as indoors.


4. Much more reliable--not 100%, but pretty close, depending upon the distance.


5. Works with umbrellas, softboxes, etc. (Some studio lights have a PocketWizard receiver built-in.)


6. The PocketWizards can actuate a camera, as well as the flash(es) for a totally remote setup. (That will require one more PocketWizard unit, of course.) I have 3 PW Plus II transceivers and one transmitter (no longer made--I got all 4 on eBay). I can put a transceiver on the camera hot shoe, set it to channel 1, and connect the "Camera/Flash" jack to the camera's remote trigger connection through a special cable. The PWs for the flash(es) on channel 2. I carry the PW transmitter set to channel 1. When I push the trigger button, the PW transceiver on the camera fires the camera shutter, then, when it gets the signal through the hot shoe, it transmits a "fire" command on the next channel up (2) for the flashes.


7. You don't have to mount the PW on the camera hot shoe. You can connect it (with the right cable) to the camera's PC connector (if it has one). That way, you can also have a flash on the camera (or on a bracket, using the off-camera cord). Later today, I'll try to take a photo of my 30D + Really Right Stuff Wedding Pro Flash bracket + 580EX + PW transceiver and a set-up without the bracket to show what I mean.


For more on using off-camera flash, go to the "Strobist" site. There are tutorials, articles, and discussions.

[crosbyharbison]

The PocketWizard (PW) Plus transceivers, on the other hand, are wireless remote triggers. They don't support E-TTL. Their job is to transmit and receive a simple radio signal that tells the remote flash(es) to fire. The lack of TTL is the obvious disadvantage (that also means no high-speed sync)
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Is there a pocketwizard product that supports E-TTL (i.e. high speed sync)?


Also since I will be using Canon's 580 ex II's I was alarmed when I read this:


While the FlexTT5 works ideally upon many older Canon flashes, the
580EX, 580EX II, and 430EX emit strong RF noise across the
PocketWizard's frequency range, and this significantly reduces
out-of-box range performance of the FlexTT5 Transceiver.In
PocketWizard's research, the interference from the flash varies wildly
from sample to sample; they can only guarantee that the flash will work
to ~30' (~10m) in all conditions, although they do have many suggestions for increasing this considerably.





So what should I buy?

[Sean Setters]

Is there a pocketwizard product that supports E-TTL (i.e. high speed sync)?

Yes, the new Pocketwizard Flex (transceiver) units and Mini (transmitter) units work with E-TTL. Yes, you can do high-speed sync with them. Pocketwizards also developed a technology called Hypersync that allows another stop or so pastthe naturalmax sync speed of your camera using (I believe) any flash. The units are re-programmable using a USBcable and your computer.

While the FlexTT5 works ideally upon many older Canon flashes, the 580EX, 580EX II, and 430EX emit strong RF noise across the PocketWizard's frequency range, and this significantly reduces out-of-box range performance of the FlexTT5 Transceiver.In PocketWizard's research, the interference from the flash varies wildly from sample to sample; they can only guarantee that the flash will work to ~30' (~10m) in all conditions, although they do have many suggestions for increasing this considerably.

This is exactly the shortfall I was talking about because of therushed the R&amp;D and testing before releasing the units. The performance, I've heard, using a 580EX flash is abismal. There are steps you can take to improve the situation, but they are inconvenient and somewhat costly (at least compared to everything working great out of the box). The biggest reason to pay the premium price for Pocketwizards has always been range and reliability. With the new units, the range and reliability of the units have clearly suffered (using the 580EX units, at least) and thus have stained the Pocketwizard's great reputation.


As far as what you should buy--I suggest you do as much reasearch on the new Pocketwizard units as well as the Radiopopper PX units if you absolutely must have E-TTL capable, off-camera, radio-triggeredflashes. Otherwise, if youthink you can live without E-TTL, then read up on Cybersyncs, Radiopopper JrX, and CTR-301p (decent ebay) units. Personally, I use Cybersyncs after having had ebay units for quite some time. I enjoy the reliability and range of the Cybersyncs, and I don't mind adjusting the power of my flashes manually.


For examples of what I've done with Cybersyncs (as well asebay units),surf throughto my flickr photostream.

[peety3]

While the FlexTT5 works ideally upon many older Canon flashes, the 580EX, 580EX II, and 430EX emit strong RF noise across the PocketWizard's frequency range, and this significantly reduces out-of-box range performance of the FlexTT5 Transceiver.In PocketWizard's research, the interference from the flash varies wildly from sample to sample; they can only guarantee that the flash will work to ~30' (~10m) in all conditions, although they do have many suggestions for increasing this considerably.

This is exactly the shortfall I was talking about because of therushed the R&amp;D and testing before releasing the units. The performance, I've heard, using a 580EX flash is abismal. There are steps you can take to improve the situation, but they are inconvenient and somewhat costly (at least compared to everything working great out of the box). The biggest reason to pay the premium price for Pocketwizards has always been range and reliability. With the new units, the range and reliability of the units have clearly suffered (using the 580EX units, at least) and thus have stained the Pocketwizard's great reputation.

The new PW units do have some issues relating to R&amp;D/testing, but the short range is NOT a by-product of a rushed timeline. Pocket Wizard US products have been on a particular frequency for years if not decades. Some of the recent Canon flashes emit significant RF energy on the PW US frequency band, and that's not Pocket Wizard's fault.

[peety3]

Is there a pocketwizard product that supports E-TTL (i.e. high speed sync)?

Yes, the new Pocketwizard Flex (transceiver) units and Mini (transmitter) units work with E-TTL. Yes, you can do high-speed sync with them. Pocketwizards also developed a technology called Hypersync that allows another stop or so pastthe naturalmax sync speed of your camera using (I believe) any flash. The units are re-programmable using a USBcable and your computer.

To elaborate further, the new PW units can do normal/HyperSync/high-speed sync or normal/high-speed sync or normal/HyperSync. For any of the modes that use high-speed sync, they can increase the usable light output of your flash, up to 1.8 stops better (camera-dependent). This is a prime reason why I have three Flex units on order, due to arrive on Monday.


I'll admit that I'm aware of the distance limits with the 580II flashes that I use, so I ordered two SuperClamps (to hold the Flex units on the stand away from the flash) and two OC-E3 cables to interconnect the goods, and picked up some ferrite cores at RadioShack today.

[crosbyharbison]

Is there a pocketwizard product that supports E-TTL (i.e. high speed sync)?

Yes, the new Pocketwizard Flex (transceiver) units and Mini (transmitter) units work with E-TTL. Yes, you can do high-speed sync with them. Pocketwizards also developed a technology called Hypersync that allows another stop or so pastthe naturalmax sync speed of your camera using (I believe) any flash. The units are re-programmable using a USBcable and your computer.

To elaborate further, the new PW units can do normal/HyperSync/high-speed sync or normal/high-speed sync or normal/HyperSync. For any of the modes that use high-speed sync, they can increase the usable light output of your flash, up to 1.8 stops better (camera-dependent). This is a prime reason why I have three Flex units on order, due to arrive on Monday.


I'll admit that I'm aware of the distance limits with the 580II flashes that I use, so I ordered two SuperClamps (to hold the Flex units on the stand away from the flash) and two OC-E3 cables to interconnect the goods, and picked up some ferrite cores at RadioShack today.
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Let me know what kind of range you have after you test; I'm interested.

[George Slusher]

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[George Slusher]

The new PocketWizard products (MiniTT1 and FlexTT5) and the RadioPoppers support E-TTL II. The older PocketWizard Plus II and Multimax and the RadioPopper JrX do not use TTL in any form. They are remote triggers that work with any camera with a hot shoe or PC connector, any flash or strobe (you may need a hot shoe if the flash doesn't have , studio lights, etc. In a simple sense, they are the wireless equivalent of a network of cords connecting the flashes to the camera. (Some pros and some studio lights use "household" connectors and regular household extension cords.) So, the two sorts of products are really quite different.


Which you "should" buy will depend upon your own uses and criteria. If you want long range and reliability and E-TTL compatibility, the RadioPoppers are probably best. You'll also need one more flash or the ST-E2 to act as the source for the RadioPopper transmitter, so the cost will be higher. That extra cost may be partially mitigated by the cost of a shield for the PocketWizard units. If the range you need isn't as long (how many people put the off-camera flash 150 ft from the camera?), the extra capability, flexibility and lower cost of the PW system may be attractive, as long as they work reliably in your situation.


It will also depend upon what sort of set up you will use. It sounds like you are considering two off-camera flashes with no flash on the camera, as you mentioned two 580EX II's and a ST-E2. In the cost estimates below, that's what I've used. However, there are other possible setups, like one on-camera flash and one remote/slave flash. You can use a Canon 430EX II as a slave (not as a master), for $150 less than the 580EX II.


Here are some example costs for using two off-camera flashes, using B&amp;H and RadioPopper prices. I don't include batteries or shipping, as that can vary a lot. You can easily figure other options. I don't include the cost of lightstands, umbrellas, umbrella brackets/swivels, cables, etc., that you will also need, depending upon the situation. (They can really add up--see below.) Be prepared for a major cost shock.


RadioPopper PX system:

• 2 Canon 580EX II: $420 x 2 = $840
  
• ST-E2: $220
  
• RadioPopper Transmitter: $249 (currently out of stock)
  
• RadioPopper Receivers (2): $249 x 2 = $498
• Total: $1807 (a bit outside the budget of a starving student!)
• Option A: Could use another 580EX II as the master: total = $2007
• Option B: Use 430EX II slaves ($270): total = $1507 with ST-E2, $1707 with 580EX II as master
• Option C: Use one 430EX II slave, one 580EX II slave, plus ST-E2: $1657

You can figure other options. You can't use a 430EX II as the master flash--it can be used only as a slave.


PocketWizard E-TTL-compatible:

• 2 Canon 580EX II: $420 x 2 = $840
  
  
• ST-E2: Not needed
  
  
• MiniTT1 Transmitter: $199
  
  
• FlexTT5 Transceivers (2): $219 x 2 = $438
• Total: $1477 (less, but still outside the starving student budget.)
• Option B: use 430EX II remote flashes (both): $1177
• Option C: use one 580EX II and one 430EX II: $1327

The main difference in price is the need to have a flash or commander on the camera with the RadioPoppers. That adds $220 for the ST-E2 or $420 for a 580EX II. The cost difference would be reduced if you end up having to use a shield with the PocketWizard system.


All those options are quite expensive. They might be worth the cost, though, if you really need the E-TTL capability. The big question, though, is whether you need E-TTL. It's very expensive. Do you want to spend that PLUS the cost of stands, etc.? It could easily add up to over $2000 with the RadioPoppers. I'd think that one would have to be very serious, indeed, about the benefits of E-TTL flash to spend that much.


If you're using a fairly static setup, you can easily use the flashes in manual mode. E-TTL can actually get in the way, especially if you keep the lights fixed but move the camera around. For example, if you move the camera to an angle to show more shadow on the subject, the E-TTL II system will try to lighten the shadow, even if you want the shadow to remain as it was. You can use a simple adjustable flash (non-TTL) as one or both remotes, as well as the more sophisticated Canon flashes. Examples are the Vivitar 285HV (which I use), $90 at B&amp;H, and the more capable LumpPro LP120, $130 at Midwest Photo Exchange. You'd want to have one 580EX II for on-camera (or bracket) E-TTL use. The disadvantage would be that you can't use the 285HV or LP120 in an E-TTL wireless system. If you want to be able to use one flash on the camera as a master and one slave, you could use 2 x 580EX II's or a 580EX II and a 430EX II--or find the older 580EX and 430EX used on eBay.


You could then use either the RadioPopper JrX system or the PocketWizard Plus II transceivers. I haven't seen a comparison of them re: capabilities like range. In other features, they seem pretty much equal for ordinary use, though the PW Plus II transceivers can act as relays, triggering a camera, then sending the flash signal, as I mentioned above. You can trigger a camera with the JrX receiver with the right cable (probably identical to the PW cables), but you'd need an extra receiver. Still, the cost of a JrX transmitter and receiver is $50 less than the cost of one PocketWizard Plus II transceiver!


About cables: the JrX comes with a miniphone-to-sub-miniphone
(2.5mm) cable plus miniphone (3.5mm) and 1/4" plugs. Those will work
well with many studio strobes, but NOT with the 580EX II, which has a
PC connection. You'll need a miniphone-to-PC cable
($18 @ B&amp;H) for each 580EX II. If you use the 430EX II, 285HV or the older Canon 580EX, you
can use a miniphone-to-hot-shoe cable ($30 @ B&amp;H) or buy a cheap hot shoe with a
PC connection and a miniphone-to-PC cable. The LumoPro LP120 has a miniphone connection as well as
PC &amp; hot shoe, so it works with almost anything. You may find cheaper cables from other sources, especially on eBay.


RadioPopper JrX remote triggers:

• 2 Canon 580EX II: $420 x 2 = $840
  
  
• Jr X Transmitter + receiver: $119
  
  
• JrX receiver: $69
• Miniphone-to-PC cables: 2 x $18
• Total: $1064
• Option B: use 430EX II remote flashes (both), with 2 hot shoe cables @ $30: $788
• Option C: use one 580EX II and one 430EX II with appropriate cables: $926 (still able to have a 2-flash wireless network)
  
• Option D: use a Vivitar 285HV as one remote (need the 580EX II for general on-camera use): $746
  
• Option E: use a LumoPro LP120 as one remote: $746 (flash is more expensive, but you don't need the extra cable/hot shoe)
  

PocketWizard remote triggers (using PW Plus II):

• 2 Canon 580EX II: $420 x 2 = $840
  
  
• Plus II Transceivers (3): $169 x 3 = $508 (no extra cables needed)
  
• Total: $1348
• Option B: use 430EX II remote flashes (both), with 2 hot shoe cables: $1108
• Option C: use one 580EX II and one 430EX II, with one hot shoe cable: $1228
• Option D: use a Vivitar 285HV as one remote (need the 580EX II for general on-camera use): $1048
  
  
• Option E: use a LumoPro LP120 as one remote: $1048

If you don't need the range of the PocketWizard Plus II or RadioPopper JrX (whatever that is), you might use the Cactus triggers from Midwest Photo Exchange--$37 for the transmitter &amp; receiver with decent batteries and $25 for an extra receiver with good battery. You don't NEED extra cables with the Cactus V2s receivers, as they have a hot shoe on top, but it's a precarious situation. I'd prefer to use the proper cables (e.g., PC-to-PC or PC-to-hot-shoe), but left them out of the following.


Cactus V2s remote triggers from Midwest Photo Exchange:

• 2 Canon 580EX II: $420 x 2 = $840
  
  
• One set of transmitter &amp; receiver: $37
  
• Additional receiver: $25
• Total: $902 (no extra cables needed)
  
• Option B: use 430EX II remote flashes (both): $602
  
• Option C: use one 580EX II and one 430EX II: $752
• Option D: use a Vivitar 285HV as one remote (need the 580EX II for general on-camera use): $572
  
  
• Option E: use a LumoPro LP120 as one remote: $602

Again, that does NOT include the other stuff you'll need--lightstands, umbrellas, swivels/brackets, etc. Midwest Photo Exchange has several package deals that variously include lightstands, triggers (PocketWizard or Cactus), umbrellas, swivels, cases, and flashes, plus other useful doodads. Their "Starving Student" package with Cactus triggers and LP120 flashes plus all the other gear is $450. For me, that plus a 580EX II (total $870) would be a great way to go, as you'd get all the basic stuff you'd need. Later, you can move up to the JrX or PocketWizard Plus II triggers for the greater range/reliability or even the RadioPopper PX or PocketWizard TTL systems.


I built my own system piece-by-piece, much of it from eBay. Below is what I spent for a minimalist 2-flash system. (The costs include shipping.)

• 580EX (used): $285
• Used 285HV: $71
• Chinese triggers (transmitter + receiver set @ $24 + extra receiver @ 17): $41
• Hot shoes with cables (PC-to-PC), 2 @ $8.50 = $17
• Total to compare to above: $414
  

Then, add in the other stuff for a "strobist" system of 2 matched off-camera flashes plus the 580EX for on-camera E-TTL:

• Additional used 285HV: $64
• Lightstands: $58 (included reflector boom &amp; holder plus a case) + $45 (Giottos from B&amp;H) = $103
• Umbrellas (2 white satin collapsible @ $21, 2 silver @ $29): $100
• Umbrella swivels (2 @ $15 from B&amp;H): $30
• Total: $711

I spent more on lightstands because I needed heavy-duty stands, rather than lightweight, compact stands, to use outdoors. The lightweight stands can easily blow over, or, even if you weight them down, be damaged by the wind catching a nearly 3-ft wide umbrella. If they go over, it may be goodbye flash and/or PocketWizard.


Later, I moved to the PocketWizard Plus II system. I got 3 transceivers on eBay for a total of $417.


There are all sorts of gadgets one can add to the basic system--ball bungees, brackets or caddies for attaching the PW triggers to a lightstand, longer cables, various types of cold and hot shoes (one can use a cold shoe--no electrical connection--if the flash has an external connection), "motor drive" cables to connect the PW triggers to the camera's remote trigger connection, plus a bewildering array of flash modifiers--umbrellas, soft boxes, reflectors, gels, etc.


If you get really serious, you can invest a small fortune in external battery packs that will cycle the flash(es) more quickly and allow more shots. (It's easy to overheat the flash if you use full power shots in rapid succession, however.) Quantum Turbo batteries cost $389 each at B&amp;H, plus you'll need cables for your particular flashes ($28-54 each, depending upon flash &amp; manufacturer). I got two used Turbo batteries plus cables for the 580EX and both 285HVs for a total of $422 on eBay. A cheaper option with the Canon 580EX II is the Canon CP-E4 battery pack, $150 at B&amp;H. (You can get cheaper battery packs on eBay, as well.) It doesn't cycle as fast or last as long as the Turbo batteries, but, with rechargeable NiMH AAs, it's a lot cheaper and lighter (1 lb vs 2.5+ lb). The cost and weight can add up, fast.

[crosbyharbison]

Thanks for the awesome post George. I think I should add that, for now at least, I am just shooting in a terribly light gym. I've progressed over one year from not being able to shoot at all in the gym to getting okay shot. This year I'm looking for great shots.








My first attempts at indoor sports with available light in a different decently light gym with a slow lens (Canon 28-135 3.5-5.6)

First attempt in the terrible gym but I bought a 430 ex II that I had mounted directly on the camera. Notice the ambient is more than 2 stops below of what I had the flash at. Also note the long shadows on the wall.

Finally I bought a 580 ex II to mount on camera at a lower power setting to reduce large shadows on the back wall and commanded the 430 ex II of camera left for some rim/separation light. (disregard the poor focus). Again notice how terrible the ambient light is. I have a 40d and I'd really like to not put the iso above 800 as it gets pretty noisy for my taste.





This season I'm hoping to get two flashes off camera for more mobility and add some gels to the flashes for color temperature.


After consideration of the posts here I've decided to just use my 430 and 580 with 3 pocketwizard plus II units and then sell the 430 and replace it with another 580 when I have more money.


So I would be spending $576.80 now and then $200 (net) to replace the 430 later.


Of course for my setup I will need 2 umbrella stand adapters and bogen superclamps as well as some gaffers tape and some ball bungees if I can't clamp onto anything in there.