Pocket Wizard FlexTT5 Transceiver, Question.

[ChrisAdval]

this is just research, if I were to buy a Pocket Wizard FlexTT5 Transceiver would I need two of these to make my triggering work from one off-camera flash?

[BigFuzzy]

yes, you need only two if you want to only fire one flash.

have you considered the Catcus V5 from gadgetinfinity especially if you're on a budget (and I believe you are) as they are quite good for someone at your point in your career. I use them and have had zero problems (or misfires!).

ccting - though I may be incorrect as I don't really know the PWs and if the ones Chris mentioned are a different version than their normal ones, but from what I do know, they are considered the standard in the industry and I'm not sure where you get your "few misfires" from though I'm sure at some point ALL wireless misfire at one point or another.

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

yes, you need only two if you want to only fire one flash.

have you considered the Catcus V5 from gadgetinfinity especially if you're on a budget (and I believe you are) as they are quite good for someone at your point in your career. I use them and have had zero problems (or misfires!).

ccting - though I may be incorrect as I don't really know the PWs and if the ones Chris mentioned are a different version than their normal ones, but from what I do know, they are considered the standard in the industry and I'm not sure where you get your "few misfires" from though I'm sure at some point ALL wireless misfire at one point or another.

what would be the differences from the pocket wizards and cactus?

And yes I agree I'm not ready both financially or point my photography career, just researching future buys and as I'll doing a lot of environmental portraits starting in December to end of next year as I'm running my 12 month all day street shooting events (once a month) outdoors and didn't want to only shoot natural light photos. I want to explore the hi-speed sync TTL features, just need an option to using good TTL wireless trigger and flash.

[BigFuzzy]

Price. Price. Price is the biggie. For the price of one of those PW, you could get like 4 transceivers from Cactus and though of course they aren't PWs, they work well. Pack of two for 60usd (plus shipping). Probably other significant differences (ie range, # of channels, TTL?, build, etc, but not relevant to you at this time I'd assume).

Don't think they do TTL though, but I honestly think that if you're venturing into off camera flash, you should be doing it all Manual anyway so to me (if they don't have it) it's no loss.

Why differentiate between "I want to explore the hi-speed sync TTL features" and simply using flash outdoors? Not all out-door flash shooting need to be 'high speed sync" if I'm understanding you correctly.

Originally Posted by ccting

Dear Bigfurry,

I read about "misfire" from the web. The rest, i am just based on secondary data

Does Cactus V5 works as wireless TTL trigger with "zone" channeling?
;D

Holy crap dude.. you really go into the details huh? Haha. Sorry, all I can say is that I don't think the Cactus use TTL, but don't quote me. I shoot all in manual, so ttl or ettl or whatever is irrelevant to me. Despite that, i think that the Cactus are perfect for someone starting out, especially on a budget and I think that using manual is the best for them to learn as well.

Don't worry about the misfire thing, I just wasn't sure if there was something specific about the model Chris mentioned, and I assume it's not an issue (not any more than anyone else) since they are the choice of pros...

Big Furry? You seen me shirtless lately?

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

Price. Price. Price is the biggie. For the price of one of those PW, you could get like 4 transceivers from Cactus and though of course they aren't PWs, they work well. Pack of two for 60usd (plus shipping). Probably other significant differences (ie range, # of channels, TTL?, build, etc, but not relevant to you at this time I'd assume).

Don't think they do TTL though, but I honestly think that if you're venturing into off camera flash, you should be doing it all Manual anyway so to me (if they don't have it) it's no loss.

Why differentiate between "I want to explore the hi-speed sync TTL features" and simply using flash outdoors? Not all out-door flash shooting need to be 'high speed sync" if I'm understanding you correctly.




Holy crap dude.. you really go into the details huh? Haha. Sorry, all I can say is that I don't think the Cactus use TTL, but don't quote me. I shoot all in manual, so ttl or ettl or whatever is irrelevant to me. Despite that, i think that the Cactus are perfect for someone starting out, especially on a budget and I think that using manual is the best for them to learn as well.

Don't worry about the misfire thing, I just wasn't sure if there was something specific about the model Chris mentioned, and I assume it's not an issue (not any more than anyone else) since they are the choice of pros...

Big Furry? You seen me shirtless lately?

Cactus v5 are non ttl triggers like the the older and still expensive Pocket Wizard Plus II's in testing the v5 actualy beat out the PocketWizard plusII's :O. See here for the PW Pluse II vs cactus v5 test. http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobis...7625637331217/ . Cactus v5 uses 2.4ghz and the PW's still are on 433mhz I belive.

I was a beta tester and reviewer for the Cactus v5's.. I use them for my main setup when doing outside portraits. I only have one set as of now but I plan on either getting another set later on. Right now I don't need another set of v5's though. I have 4 cactus v4 receivers and 2 transmitters. If you were starting out I would say cactus v4 or v5. I have had 0 misfires on them. The only time I had a misfire was if the flash was not cycled because I'm shooting to fast or the batteries in the triggers were low. Really HSS does not do you any better. It does not give you any more power. You can not overcome the power of a brighter light source by just using a different technology. I would highly recommend getting a manual trigger. You learn how to control and use light. The only time TTL for me would be useful would be in run and gun wedding situations. Other than that it does not provide the constant light I need and actually I end of tweaking the power on TTL any ways. LOL. I shoot profesionaly on the side and I use them on my profesional shoots. Would I recomend havong 1 or 2 backup trancevers. Sure always have a backup of everything. If I was crazy enought to but Pocket Wizard flex systems I would have an extra one of those also. However I would rather spend tht insane amount of money on something like a new camera, lense, or studio strobe. Let me know if you have any questions.

Also you can with an extra cable use the v5 as a radio camer trigger. Very usefull for me now days.

Ohh yah and I get my cameras native sync of 1/250 on both the cactus v5 and v4.

See my full and detailed technical review here.
Cactus V5 Duo Review – Brian Hursey Photography

[bhursey]

You will never truly learn lighting by useing ttl triggers. It is a non needed expense also to be able to use it you need to buy all brand flashes. As in you need to say have either can 430EXII's or 580EXII's So lets see 400$ triggers + 400$ each flashes. soo for a 2 flash setup your talking 1200$ when I can get a manual setup which you learn more about light and have more controle with for around 400$. You can use either Lumopro flashes, old Nikon SB24 28 and so on.

ccting I understand all your reserch and reading. That is much diffrent than actualy useing the equipment in profesional shoots. Me and bigfuzzy are going off real world experince useing and working with photographers who use this equipment in field and 90% of the photographers I know doing protrature use full manual flashes and not ttl. I work with photographers who have used ttl triggers and have used manual triggers. Actualy most use the manual triggers as thier work horse triggers instead of the TTL triggers. One example whould be David Hoby, Zack Arias Photography By Zack Arias ? ATL ? 404-939-2263 ? studio@zackarias.com CT Pham Flickr: ~Phamster~'s Photostream The only time I would recomend ttl flash setups is in wedding type fast moving situations and in my experince with weddings you can acomplish this with say a 580EXII on camera in master mode and a 580EXII or a 430EXII off camera on a stand with an umbrealla. Although I most of the time use a cactus v5 for before and after portraits group and single.

If you can afford to get pocket wizard FlexTTL triggers and have brand nikon or canon flashes and need them for run and gun wedding situations. Then yes get them and have fun, but all my point is is it really is not needed except a luxury in run and gun situations.

[zona5101]

"BigFurry"
priceless.

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by ccting

I thought the difference between TTL triggers and manual triggers is that, we can remotely control the power, zoom, off/on etc... while the manual ones you need to reach the triggers to adjust everything. Assume that I put 20 off-camera speedlights in a very big hall, for convenience as i don't want to have speedlight during the event.. LOL, how can i adjust each of the off-camera speedlights or even off / on them in rapid and convenient way?

I hope in future, there is a map shown in the on-camera unit where each of the off-camera and sense the distance between camera, and subject, and adjust the settings based on a template ;D... If the technology can archieve that, then I can shoot without learning the troublesome lighting. I am still waiting...as I don't want learn lighting so much.. (i am quite lazy..;D, and i want fast result with least effort, hopefull the technology can assist..If the technology can take over the troubles, then I am willing to pay.. ).

So, what is the difference between Cactus V5 and Photix Strabo II? Does Cactus V5 support on-camera TTL pass-through hot shoe? I believe this feature is important for me, as manually adjustment will cause exposure problems to me. I am not a photographer, and I will not become a photographer forever. Therefore, i rely on technology to take better photos in easiest way.. I need a Artificial Intelligence system to adjust lighting for me ;D

No one sells Cactus V5 here. It is a cheaper unit than Photix Strabo II...I believe it does not support new feature such as pass-through TTL on-camera hotshoe that i need so much (well, noobs need it).

Well, i shoot virtually ... ;D. It may difference from the reality.. just imagination.

I wish to buy a lot of high quality items from US, which is far cheaper. But the postage fee is far more expensive than the items that i wish to buy. For instance, a tripod that priced USD60, may ends with USD200 ..after including the postage.. --> So expensive..

There is so much room for the research... And i believe they are doing some sort of research to meet my needs LOL. I believe there is a day, where everyone can shoot like a pro without learning anything.

"I like dreaming...."

TTL is threw the lens metering meaning it fiers a pre flash and decides waht power the flash output needs to be to get the exposure you need. You can use FEC flash exposure compinsation to tweek the output to meet your exposure needs. You can use zones with some TTL systems. However like I said erlier it is a very expensive option and not needed in most situations. In the one time I used TTL off camera I actualy found I needed to be at +1 exposure FEC to get what I wanted so why not just use manual. Its not to hard apreture and flash power controle your flash exposure, and shutter speed controles your ambiant light. To truly learn flash photography you need to learn how to manualy controle light useing Apreture, Shutter Speed, ISO, flashpower. Photography is all about getting the look you disier. If your just trying to get it exposed correctly fine. but you need to use light in a creative fasion meaning you need to controle it. Yes you can with ttl triggers use zones and adjust them remotly. That is nice but my main point is I see it all the time people go out and buy all the top of the lin equipment witout learning the true hands on theory. Why is that needed to spend way to much money and end up skiping the fundimentals? Now if you fully learned off camera flash manualy and decided you need a ttl option for ceran situations that is fully understandable. Or if you have money to burn good for you, but most people dont have thosands to spend on flashes and triggers. You your slef were asking about buying really cheep flashes. None that had a TTL option. If you decide to go ttl. You will need all the same type of flashes with the same exact propritory pin setup.

Also why would you put 20 speed lights in a big hall when you can light a hall with 2 strobes bounced off the roof in 2 corners of the room. Yes iv done it. In a larger hall studio strobes can be used for this also.

I just think your getting way to technical way to fast. I am an Unix engineer and a CS major like your self and I fully understand how you can get caught up into reading and research before hands on. But really you need to get a 1 flash setup stick with it for a year and learn from there. I would recommend David Hobbies strobist dvd series actually both of them.

The cactus v5 has a center pin pass through meaning it does not transmit ttl signals. I asked them directly why when they sent me units for testing. They indicated it was to make the triggers fully universal and keep the cost down and reliability up. That is fully understandable. If your not able to get them then go with what you can get. The Cactus V5 sells out of hong kong and pretty much in my experience ships every where via hong kong post or fedex. Gadget Infinity

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The main reference was for ChrisAdval to try out the cactus v5. However if absolutely needing HSS you would need a canon brand flash with a pocket wizard ttl trigger. However HSS caused the flash power reducing causing the need to still shoot in less bright conditions. Because HSS actualy fires a rapid burst of flashes to fill the exposure as the shutter moves down. I have found it better to try and get the f-stop to around f8 at 100iso and 1/250 and use either 1 or 2 powerful flashes. Anything over f10 you need something like a studio strobe if wanting to use a modifier because a modifier can take out 1/2 to a full stop of light.

This is an example of mid day sun. I had to shoot at f10 at 1/250 100 iso to get the nice blue sky. F10 is pushing it for a hot shoe flash with a modifier. In this shot I had a AB400 at 1/2 power about 3 feet away with a softbox.


Katrina by Brian Hursey, on Flickr

[ccting]

Originally Posted by bhursey

This is an example of mid day sun. I had to shoot at f10 at 1/250 100 iso to get the nice blue sky. F10 is pushing it for a hot shoe flash with a modifier. In this shot I had a AB400 at 1/2 power about 3 feet away with a softbox.
r

Wow, beautiful photo... Hmm, agree with what you said. 1 Year is just too long for me. I believe it will much more easier for a noob like to to learn off-camera flash before the on-camera flash (see my learning roadmap from my signature)..

I can't have 1/250s flash sync speed (the max i can go is 1/200s with my D5100). I wish i can have ND filter to bring down the shutter speed (so i have used along with the sweet point f/8), but I am not willing to buy the filter.. The only reason why I wish to speed up my learning is, I'm not sure when this hobby will last. I keep changing my hobby - from woodworking, cement work, plastering, wiring, gaming, etc etc... I hope I can learn the basics before changing to the next one..while i still have the great interest..Usually a hobby will last within 15 months. My last interest is CPRE-FL, and the hobby only last for 2 weeks (after i got the cert, then I lost the interest to go deeper). That means I still have 10 months to go.

Thanks again for your advice bhursey..

[Dylan-06]

Originally Posted by zona5101

"BigFurry"
priceless.

Yep, made me giggle too !