Help on Pocket Wizards

[peety3]

The more I read the more I get confused. I'm thinking of getting a set of these in the near future. My camera is a Canon 50D and my current flash is a 580EX II (my next flash will still be a 580EX II).

I hear you. I started with three 580EX IIs (and the woman has one also). Only after the Flex units came out did I make the switch to non-Canon trigger methods.

I've read that Multimax has several features that's the same as Canon's TC-80N3 timer had. So instead of buying a Plus II, Flex or Mini, I'd get the Multimax so I could have the remote timer capability, correct? Can the Multimax support bulb modes wherein I could dial up to 5 mins of exposure when connected to the camera? How about bulb for a non-set time? (such as photographing fireworks)?

As far as I know, the Multimax and the TC-80N3 are significantly different beasts. I think you could set up the Multimax to send trigger signals at preset intervals, but I don't think you can do bulb exposures using the Multimax (something about the FCC prohibiting a transmitter of that category from transmitting "on its own"; this also prevents the PW units from letting you trigger a camera in high-speed drive by just holding down the button).

I was thinking of a Multimax transmitter/Flex TT5 receiver combo. Is this good? Or should I go for Multimax/Plus II combo? I find the Flex's hot shoe to be very useful.
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If you decide that a Multimax transmitter is the right choice for you (I still can't justify a Multimax, and I have one Mini and five Flex units), you most likely want the Flex as the receiver. With the Flex (or another Multimax), you can use the "better" trigger cable into the camera, and your transmitter Multimax can selectively wake the camera and begin the auto-focus/metering remotely.


Assuming that the PW ZoneController accessory will become a reality, I don't see Multimax units in my lineup any time soon.