Quote Originally Posted by iND


I am wanting to remotely control two off camera 580EX II flashes with or without a third 580 ex II on my camera body(50D)


I am leaing towards the pocket wizzards (3)


But I walso want to consider the newer flex and mini


I want the best functionality for the dollar and I hear pros and cons of both systems.


The pocket wizard sound more reliable and has a track record but does anyone have comments on the range, reliability, and functionality. Do I need one multimax and two Plus II or all plus II.
Do I still have some control over the remote flashes with these? Or do I just trigger them. Are the remote flashes set in the manual mode??


Has anyone tried the flex and mini. They sound great but Im reading about problems with the RF interference with the 580EX causing them to not be as reliable with the 580EX II and maybe cutting down on the distance. Do I want 3 transceivers or one transceiver (flex) and two receivers (mini)'


Im not affrad to spend the money but I dont want to spend it twice. I usally buy the best and usually more than I need and I'm rarely sorry.



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Do you need TTL functionality? If so, then you'll still need a third 580EX on-camera. If you need more range than IR can give you, you'll either have to buy the new Pocketwizard units (Flex or Mini &amp; Flex), or else RadioPopper PX units. I've done quite a bit of research on the two, and so far people like the Radiopoppers much better. They simply work as advertised. They still need to work some of the kinks out of the new Pocketwizard units. The strong electronic noise emitted by the 580EX interferes with the Mini &amp; Flex units, but doesn't seem to affect the RadioPopper PX ones.


If you don't need TTL functionality, then ask yourself how much range and reliability do you need? Cactus V4 and CTR-301p units are pretty cheap, but aren't 100% reliable. Cybersyncs are 100% reliable to a range of about 300ft (maybe slightly more) and cost substantially less than Pocketwizards. Pocketwizards are 100% reliable and claim a range of 1600ft, but I've never seen anyone actually test that.


The only reason I don't mention Flashwave is because they're not quite as common and I haven't read enough reports on them to make a fair comment.


I have Cybersyncs and I'm very pleased.