Flash? for the gear-heads

[FDCPR]

I have a shot I need to get that requires the use of multiple off camera flash units. Currently I have two SB900 and one SB600, along with studio flash but the studio flash duration is too long. I'm looking to add five or six additional flash units, but don't want to purchase the high priced Nikon flashes. I would like a cheap alternative that will be used in manual mode only and that I can turn the power down a lot to get a very fast flash duration and fast recycle time. If it makes a difference, these units will never be used on the hot shoe of the camera so the voltage is not an issue. Any suggestions for third party flash units?

I will also need to locate a cheap source for radio triggers, I'm not looking for the best on the market as they will probably be a one time usage item and then sit on the shelf and collect dust. The one time use is unpredictable on when I can set up and shoot this, so renting is not an option for the triggers or the flash units. I may use them again, but the point is that the durability of the unit is not critical. So what is available that will consistently trigger the flashes, but be economical?

Notice the keyword here is "economical" that translates to really cheap, they're not offering enough cash to warrant six 900s and a bunch of Pocket Wizards. Just FYI, I no longer use the esteemed auction site, so a source from a real store is preferred.

[OsmosisStudios]

You'll have to look for the supreme dumb flash. Give B&H and/or Adorama a call.

[inkista]

Just 'cause they're cheap, I'd go with Yongnuo gear. The YN-560 is about $65-$70 apiece on Amazon. They have built-in optical slaves, so you may not need to get radio triggers for them, depending on your shooting conditions. They have about the same power output as the SB-600/SB-700 and they go down to 1/128 power. I got one from cheaplights, fulfilled by Amazon, and it was the newer metal foot version, which apparently has had the capacitor issue fixed.

And the Yongnuo RF-602s are pretty cheap triggers if you do need them.

[FDCPR]

That's cool, I had the both of you in mind when I posted this, so thanks.

I dug around in my old film gear today, and found some more functioning flash units. If I can remember how to set them up they may work.

Inkista, I know nothing about RF triggers so a few dumb questions...

I haven't searched long but what I see is they are offered as sets. If I purchase multiple sets can I sync them all to one transmitter?
They are listed as being compatible with the Nikon D3, I assume they will work with my D3s but I'll probably call and ask unless you know otherwise.
If getting something from the auction site is a better option I do have a friend that still uses it that could buy for me. I just had a major problem with them and swore I'd never use them again.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by FDCPR

I haven't searched long but what I see is they are offered as sets. If I purchase multiple sets can I sync them all to one transmitter?

Yes. You only need the one transmitter, and then a receiver per light. Some sellers will offer sets with multiple receivers and a single transmitter, although I think the largest group I ever saw on eBay was for 4Rx+1Tx. You just have to make sure they're all set to the same channel.

If you want to set off the shutter remotely as well as the lights, then you need two transmitters, and the transmitter and receiver you use for tripping the shutter need to be on a different channel from the ones for the lights.

You can probably use your old gear as well, as long as it has an ISO hotshoe, where the center pin on the foot is the fire signal. But. The RF-602s are limited to about 11V for sync voltage on the hotshoe, and older flashes may have a higher sync voltage. I'd recommend going with Cactus V4s or V5s if you're repurposing pre-digital flashes. They can withstand a much higher sync voltage (300V).

They are listed as being compatible with the Nikon D3, I assume they will work with my D3s but I'll probably call and ask unless you know otherwise.

If you're looking at the RF-602s for Nikon, the triggers/receivers are all the same no matter what camera you're using. What changes is the shutter release cable they include with the triggers. And yeah, they should be compatible. Still, never hurts to check.

If getting something from the auction site is a better option I do have a friend that still uses it that could buy for me. I just had a major problem with them and swore I'd never use them again.

I've never had an issue buying directly from yongnuo on the 'bay, but others report differently. It's up to you. These days, there are a lot of online merchants who are reputable who offer the same units. The Cactus triggers can be found at gadgetinfinity.com and mpex.com.

[Doug Sundseth]

FWIW, I love the Cactus V.5s. I've yet to have a misfire and the price is reasonable ($30 each when you buy two at a time. (All the V5s are Transceivers, so you can use any unit as a receiver or transmitter by switching.)

[inkista]

Given that we're talking one-time usage and lowest-cost-possible is a priority, I'd actually recommend going back one generation to the Cactus V4s or the RF-602s. The additional function and niceties of the V5s and the RF-603s still cost a bit more. The V4s are $32 for a Tx/Rx set, and each additional receiver is $23 from gadget infinity, while a set of 2 V5s is $60. Given that he wants to cover five lights, that's $124 vs. $180.

Granted, if he was going to use them more than just once , I'd say it's worth the extra $56 to go for the V5s.

[Doug Sundseth]

I never used the V4s, but the reviews I read before buying the V5s indicated that they were notably more reliable. Your point is well taken, but to some extent it depends on how critical it is that the flashes fire every time you press the shutter.

For some projects "very" and for some projects "not so much", so I'd say it depends on how they'll be used. Plus, if the OP doesn't already have enough PocketWizards for normal use, some of those might end up being used more often than the redundant flashes, and the V4s and V5s are not compatible. (Given that the price difference is less than one PW, .... )

[FDCPR]

Thanks guys, and yes it is critical that the flashes work on every shutter actuation. The V5s look like a good option. My concern with price comes from looking at the ROI in relation to having ONE shot where I need to use eight flash units. Obviously to get that one shot will take a lot of tries and I actually may not get the shot or have to try on multiple days. There is always a possibility I'll use this equipment in the future, but the goal is to cover this with the project money. Adding a few dollars to get more reliable equipment won't break me and they are within the budget and who knows I may have a use for them that I don't realize at this time. The flash unit themselves are where I'll look hard to save on the budget, they just need to be as simple as possible. Crank the power down, have a short flash duration and fairly quick recycle time.
But, that brings up another item I'll need to research, or more than likely just ask Inkista.
I need to see if my Sekonic L-758DR will syn with any of these units.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by Doug Sundseth

I never used the V4s, but the reviews I read before buying the V5s indicated that they were notably more reliable. Your point is well taken, but to some extent it depends on how critical it is that the flashes fire every time you press the shutter.

Right. Forgot about that. I keep equating the RF-602s with the V4s. The V4s were still 433MHz and interference was more of an issue. The V5s are now 2.4GHz, like the 602s and 603s.

Originally Posted by FDCPR

But, that brings up another item I'll need to research, or more than likely just ask Inkista.
I need to see if my Sekonic L-758DR will syn with any of these units.

Sorry, I am dead ignorant about light meters. But maybe my google-fu will save the day.

I have no idea what this means, but this Flickr thread says just use flash mode, and the test fire on the trigger, and you should be ok.

I'm not sure if the V5s have a sync "in" for the transmitter. The RF-603s don't. The RF-602s did (PC port on the transmitter), but it's recently been removed, so you have to check that you get a 602TX, not a 600TX transmitter in the set. (They didn't remove the circuitry, though, so if you're good with a soldering iron, you might be able to add a 3.5mm monojack. I contemplate doing this when I get really bored).

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Addendum. More google-fu. Yeah, the V5s's 3.5mm minijack port can be used as both in (for transmitting) and out (for receiving) for the sync signal. Looks like it's V5s FTW. Assuming your Sekonic uses a PC out, I'd assume you can use the PC to 3.5mm sync cord that comes with the V5s.