Cactus V5 announcement.

[bhursey]

I was selected as a tester for the cactus v5 we were given permission to release specs and features and reviews.

Dono when a price yet but it will be a fun ride. Updated specs and I have written a review at brianhurseyphotography.com/blog/?p=196 video review to come soon.




Specifications


- Working Radio Frequency: 2.4 GHz
- 16 channels selectable

- Support sync speeds up to 1/1000(subject to cameras native sync speed limitation)

- Maximum effective distance: 100 meters (328feet)

- Operating temperature: -20ºC to +50ºC

- Dimensions: 82mm(L)x70mm(W)x37mm(H)

- Weight: 58g

- Power input: 2x AAA 1.5V batteries

- Flash voltage handling: up to 300V

- Camera voltage handling: up to 6V



Features



- EXCLUSIVE! Frequency Self-Tune (FST)

The Cactus V5 transceiver will intelligently and automatically adjust its frequency under extreme conditions.

- NEW! Support for maximum sync speed
The Cactus V5 is designed and tested to obtain any sync speed, so long as it is supported by the camera (e.g. 1/1000s for some Nikon Models "ie D40", and 1/250 for Canon "Rebel series and 10D-60D" some high end Canon models limited to 1/200.

- NEW! Multi-channel triggering
Trigger up to 4 sets of flashes separately or all at once. Simply switch the transmitter to Channel "1" to trigger all flashes whose receivers are set to Channels 1 to 5.

- Solid Performance
Maximum range of 100 meters and operating temperature of -20ºC to + 50ºC

- Transceiver design
Cactus V5 can be used both as a transmitter and a receiver. Operating mode is changed through a mode switch on the side.

- Mulit-functional
Cactus V5 can operate as a either a wireless flash transceiver or a wireless camera shutter release. This includes auto focus and bulb functionality on select cameras. Cable not included.

- Two hot shoe ports
Apart from triggering wireless flashes, you can also fire a flash on top of the transmitter, simultaneously.

[Murtasma]

Looks really promising. Any idea when a price might be announced? How did you get selected as a tester?

Sync only up to 1/250th?

Lame.

I give this a good solid Meh.

Besides the sync speed increase that doesn't do anthing for Canon cameras (stuck at 1/200), all this "new technology" has been around for well over a year on dirt-cheap e-bay triggers.

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by maxharvard

Sync only up to 1/250th?

Lame.

It syncs to whatever your native sync speed is on your camera.... It does not transmit proprietary TTL information so not FP sync where it fires a rapid burst of flash to fill the frame.

So I don't see how this is lame... Most triggers in its class fight to even make the native sync speed of 1/250 of most canon systems..

The trigger has been tested on a Nikon D40 which has a electronic shutter instead of a Focal-plane shutter. With the electronic shutter the cactus v5 synced at over 1/1000......

With modern canon and nikon systems native shutter does not sync over 1/250 because that is the highest that the shutter fully exposes the frame but this depends on the model... I think some focal plane shutters can do 1/500.

All triggers in this class do not transmit TTL information for FP sync... So if you want to pay 100-400$ on a TTL solution go ahead. FP sync still reduces your flash output meaning you need more flash to get the same power of a full pop at 1/250.


The main thing about this trigger is reliability... It is rock solid... See this comparison of PW Plus II's vs cactus v5s! http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobis...7625637331217/

Originally Posted by bhursey

It syncs to whatever your native sync speed is on your camera.... It does not transmit proprietary TTL information so not FP sync where it fires a rapid burst of flash to fill the frame.

So I don't see how this is lame... Most triggers in its class fight to even make the native sync speed of 1/250 of most canon systems..

The trigger has been tested on a Nikon D40 which has a electronic shutter instead of a Focal-plane shutter. With the electronic shutter the cactus v5 synced at over 1/1000......

With modern canon and nikon systems native shutter does not sync over 1/250 because that is the highest that the shutter fully exposes the frame but this depends on the model... I think some focal plane shutters can do 1/500.

All triggers in this class do not transmit TTL information for FP sync... So if you want to pay 100-400$ on a TTL solution go ahead. FP sync still reduces your flash output meaning you need more flash to get the same power of a full pop at 1/250.


The main thing about this trigger is reliability... It is rock solid... See this comparison of PW Plus II's vs cactus v5s! Flickr: Discussing Cactus V5 full review - comparison with V4 & PocketWizard Plus II in Strobist.com

Yes, it is lame.

It's the equivalent of saying, "look at this car I made! It falls apart and breaks down regularly, and it's junk, but hey it's cheap!"

Touting mediocre results and someone expressing it as something wonderful is just annoying.

Anyone ever see the car commercials where they try to get 'excited' about the "powerful V6"... .yea... right. Puuuhhhllleeeaassee.

You keep talking about "class" as if it's something to take into account. It's not. I drive a Kia because it's the cheapest in it's class, it still sucks, but it's the leader of all the losers. Wonderful. That is NOT an achievement. To say that your the valedictorian of your graduating class when there's only 2 people in your grade isn't much of an accomplishment, now is it?

Now I'm sure you're going to whinie, "BUUUUUT! ERIC!! I can't afford the good stuff and this is all I can afford!! WAAAHH!!".

Fine, I could care less what you can and cannot afford. But stop pretending that it's some monumental mountain that has been claimed in the name of frugality.

~Eric

[Niresangwa]

Seems they've fixed the reliability vs. the V4. The only advantage I see over the RF602 is that you can order them from the US making possible returns easier... I don't see any other specs that would scream for preference against the 602s though. Depending on the price point they may be viable, or it may be a case of paying extra for the peace of mind your return is going to be easier than sending it back to HK.

Personally, I havent had a single issue with the 602s that would tempt me to either switch to cactus, nor to feel so constrained as I needed to move up 'a class' to PW.

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

Seems they've fixed the reliability vs. the V4. The only advantage I see over the RF602 is that you can order them from the US making possible returns easier... I don't see any other specs that would scream for preference against the 602s though. Depending on the price point they may be viable, or it may be a case of paying extra for the peace of mind your return is going to be easier than sending it back to HK.

Personally, I havent had a single issue with the 602s that would tempt me to either switch to cactus, nor to feel so constrained as I needed to move up 'a class' to PW.

No need for you to move if the RF-602's work great. If something works dont fix it.. I personaly amd going to stick with the v4 system for now it works 100%...

note I have not used RF-602's this is just from people I know who use them and forums.

For the V5 The transceiver design is one thing over the 602's meaning you can use an on camera flash also, And the use of only standard batteries.. However the new RF-603's will also be transceivers.. Also the RF-602's have a max voltage of 12v so some studio strobes have 24v sync and some older flashes like the Vivitar 283 have a very high sync voltage in the 200+v range... So they would not work on the RF-602 so it all depends on what you want to do. For some people who say want to have an on camera flash while triggering off camera. Or people who want to by inexpensive old flashes this is a big improvement. From my understanding the RF-602 is a good trigger system.

Originally Posted by maxharvard

Fine, I could care less what you can and cannot afford. But stop pretending that it's some monumental mountain that has been claimed in the name of frugality.

~Eric

There are many other very good trigger systems out there. I am not saying this is the best one. I was given the opportunity to test the pre release triggers. I have used cactus v4's and I got the chance to play with Pocket wizards once. I also have used cyber syncs that I borrowed from a fellow photographer for shoots. And you know what both of those triggered off of the pc port and I was limited to 1/250 shutter speed it was nothing to do with the trigger it had to do with the limit of my shutter.. Actually after research and trying it I don't like FP sync.. The loss of power is to much... I am just stating the facts of the specs and how impressed I am over the cactus v4 system. THe bottom line is I am listing the features if they are features you like fine if not thats fine also go with a different trigger solution. the pixle bishops look very nice and from what I have seen on the RF-603's that are soon to be released they are very promising.

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by bhursey

The transceiver design is one thing over the 602's meaning you can use an on camera flash also, And the use of only standard batteries.. However the new RF-603's will also be transceivers.. Also the RF-602's have a max voltage of 12v so some studio strobes have 24v sync and some older flashes like the Vivitar 283 have a very high sync voltage in the 200+v range... So they would not work on the RF-602 so it all depends on what you want to do. For some people who say want to have an on camera flash while triggering off camera. Or people who want to by inexpensive old flashes this is a big improvement. From my understanding the RF-602 is a good trigger system.

Thanks for the clarification. I guess those things wouldn't occur to me as they're not within my scope of needs. Ultimately, as I mentioned above the price vs location of the vendor will be crucial. On an anecdotal level, I was able to pick up (2) Tx and 8 Rx for around $200 (so a complete set and back up set for a 4-light rig) and their performance has been outstanding. I had originally bought them for one assignment, half a year down the road, the off-camera wireless set up has defined my whole work flow.

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

Thanks for the clarification. I guess those things wouldn't occur to me as they're not within my scope of needs. Ultimately, as I mentioned above the price vs location of the vendor will be crucial. On an anecdotal level, I was able to pick up (2) Tx and 8 Rx for around $200 (so a complete set and back up set for a 4-light rig) and their performance has been outstanding. I had originally bought them for one assignment, half a year down the road, the off-camera wireless set up has defined my whole work flow.

Sounds like a sweet setup. When I bought the Cactus system. RF-602 was not released yet so that is why I went with v4.. I really did not have many choices when I bought my first system. Now days the market is flooded with trigger solutions.. I first started looking for systems in 2008 and the reliability on the trigger solutions was about 80%. So when I got the v4's in February 2009 it went to 100%. So I was quite happy. I think the RF-602's were released summer 2009.. If They would of been around when I was looking I may have gone with them.