Radio triggers for manual flash settings

[iND]

Im not really interested in TTL with my off camera flash (580exII)


But i am interested in distance and reliability.


So who has experience with flex and mini (pocket wizard) and 580exII. The reviews are terrible because of the RF interference on the 580 exII


So is the old pocket wizard better with the 580exII


or who has experience the poppers or other brands (elinchrom)





Please be specific I want to make a purchase of radio triggers, and I already have 2 580exII and cant afford to toss them. Also I will be wanting to trigger a UNI 400





Again I am only use Manual setting on my flash.

[Tony Printezis]

Hi there,


You should also look at Cybersyncs. Check out this thread for some more details.


I recently got a pair (CST transmitter and CSRB receiver) for my 40D + 580EX II (I only have one flash, for the moment!). I haven't played around with them too much. But, they seem to work out-of-the-box as advertised. And I think they are 1/3 of the price of the PWs.


Oh and you won't need any extra connectors to connect the CSRB to the 580EX II. The receiver comes with a cable that connects to the PC connector port of your 580EX II (the only Canon flash that has a PC connector port AFAIK) and you're all set.


Tony

[Sean Setters]

I will second the Cybersyncs recommendation. I have (5) CSRBs and (2) CSTs. They are 100% reliable within a 250ft range in the open (with relatively good batteries). Cybersyncs can also be used to trigger your camera's shutter if you have a motor cord.






In the above picture, Cybersyncs were used on three different flashes (1 triggering main light, 1 triggering rim, 1 triggering in the tree).






In this picture, Cybersyncs are triggering one of the main light flashes as well as the rim light flash on the left side (2 flashes were used as main light, 1 of those being triggered optically).





While I'm a big fan of Cybersyncs, you might want to take a look at the RadioPopper JrX units as well. They're very similar in build quality and reliability, yet they have a couple of advantages over Cybersyncs. For starters, you can control manual power levels of AlienBee/WhiteLightning studio strobes wirelessly using the transmitter. In the future, you'll be able to control the manual power level of ETTL/TTL strobes using the same transmitter while using the yet-to-be-released RadioPopper Cube attached to your flash.

[Jayson]

I read Sean's thread on the wireless triggers and didn't think I would use them a ton, so I purchased the Ebay triggers he suggested (CTR-301p) and have been nothing but happy. I would recommend reading that thread, very informative. I purchased those basically because they were inexpensive. I use them with an XSi and a 580 exII. I haven't had a misfire yet. They seem to work really well. I have only used them indoors at this point in time, but I have a engagement shoot I will be doing in the next couple weeks when the trees start to change color and will use them then. I just ordered a Vivtar 285hv also on Sean's recommendation and I am sure it will be just as described.


Jayson