Cactus V4 triggers

[ericw]

Ben, for what it's worth mine are really working pretty well now. Also don't forget that Gadget Infinity sent me another transmitter completely free. All I did was mention that I was having misfiring problems. Something to consider if your transmitter's causing you problems, I'd bet they'll send you another one without even thinking about it.

[nowonder]

I got my v4's yesterday, took a couple dozen shots to start getting a feel for using a flash manually. When I first setup everything, the flash wasn't firing even through the test lights were showing them working fine...

I released the hot shoe lock, and it started working... so I know to be careful with how the contacts line up. Once I fixed this, I had no misfires.

I actually wish they were heavier. My Canon 580EXII seems very top heavy, even when using the stand it came with. Gotta pick up a good tripod and umbrella for them soon.

For those on a budget, I was on the fence forever, and I'm happy with them so far.

--nw

[photo_bazz]

Well you may be right. If you're a professional phoographer who's client is paying ££££'s and relying on you to get a shot then perhaps investing in Pocket Wizards would be a little more sensible.

However, I am a professional photographer, and I have been using the V4's for about 6 months without any problems at all. I just don't get paid enough to invest in the PW.

So in essence go with the wizards if you got money to burn but if you want to try off camera flash you get plenty of bang (or flash) for your buck with the V4's

Incidentally, i've just discovered you can purchase them in the UK now at www.1stopbrighter.com

Enjoy

Barrie Gordon Wedding and Commercial Photographer Watford

[inkista]

Since I'm the one who started this whole thread, I probably should mention when the time came to blow the cash on cheap radio triggers, I went for Yong Nuo RF-602s instead.

This was because I needed a shutter remote for my 50D, and the RF-602s can do double-duty as both flash triggers and a radio-based shutter remote. Also, the RF-602s operate on the same radio frequency as Cybersync triggers (4.2GHz, vs. 433MHz for the V4s). I don't use the triggers much, so I can't tell you if they're more reliable than the V4s, but I like the fit and finish, and so far I haven't had any misfires that weren't from obvious user error . I tested and got a 700' range for flash triggering.

The main differences from the V4s are that there are no external antennas on the transmitters. And the contacts on the transmitter/receivers are brand-specific (i.e., the extra pins, aside from the central firing pin, are included). The triggers do NOT do i-TTL/e-TTL, but on the Canon side they do perform flash wake-up. I've heard varying reports on the Nikon side about the success. If you're a Sony shooter, I believe the RF-602 packages usually come with hotshoe adapters. They have Sony and Pentax packages as well.

Cost-wise, they're roughly the same as V4s.

And apparently Yong Nuo finally figured out their main use was as flash triggers, not cable releases, so you now get the 1/8" minijack cable and 1/4" jack adapter with each additional receiver, rather than additional shutter release cables.