Help on Pocket Wizards

[Ralph]

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'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)?





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.





TIA

[iND]

Like any good dilema the research is 80% of the battle.


Also ask yourself why you want remotes and what will you will be doing with them.
The infrared capability of the 580EX II are very good and will work in the manual and ETTL mode.


Most of us use triggers for off camera flash.


For this purpose the 580s are wonderful I have 3 myself.
My usual set up is two or three off camera flashes with no on cameral flash.


Now the research tells us that there are three main products for you Pocket wizzard, elichrom and radio poppers


Pocket wizzards: great product but has trouble with the 580 do to IR interference. Translation not 100% fire and decreased range.


also the most expensive. I would definately pass if using 580EXs


Elichrom great product and medium price


Radio poppers (my choice) for manual off camera flash (which is 100% of my work) easy, reliable, leaset expensive.

[Sean Setters]

Don't forget Cybersyncs.... ;-)

[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.

[Ralph]

Like any good dilema the research is 80% of the battle.


Also ask yourself why you want remotes and what will you will be doing with them.
The infrared capability of the 580EX II are very good and will work in the manual and ETTL mode.

Looks like I'm going to use IR for a while.[] I did a check on Elinchrom... it's quite confusing at first [] I'll post questions in the future after thorough reading. Thanks for the alternative. A set is quite less expensive than a single PW.

[Ralph]

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).

For holding bulb exposures, I was thinking of connecting Multimax via the supplied cable to the camera and press/hold the "test" button to fire it the same way a remote cable TC-80N3 would do, not wireless. Would that still work? I don't intend to do bulb exposures via wireless. The reason I asked is to save money and space in the bag by just buying Multimax rather than a different PW + Canon TC-80N3.





If that didn't work, then it's an all Flex battalion for my camera []