Off Camera Wireless Flash Trigger Advice

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JHenry

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I am looking for some guidance and real world experience.

Later this year I'm taking a trip where it is likely fill flash will be needed. I plan to travel with a Canon DSLR and Leica M9/M7. What I'm looking for is a way to trigger a flash off camera while using the M9/M7.

From my research, I seems that Pocket Wizards (the Canon variety) can be used on the M9 (maybe also the M7) to trigger a Canon flash (or multiple flashes). I figure if I'm going to buy a set of wireless triggers, I might as well get something that will work on multiple systems, even if I lose TTL when using it on the Leica. If it also worked on a Mamiya 7ii, that would be icing on the cake.

Has anybody had any experience in this department, and willing to share lessons learned?

Are there any less expensive alternatives to Pocket Wizards?

Will the electronics in the M9/M7 be safe when using such a trigger? Any risk from surgest or voltage issues?

As background, the trip is to Bhutan. I envision that using some flash in certain indoor locations--if allowed--could be good. Of course, that will necessitate me learning how to use a flash. I plan to travel with a 5DII, EF 28-70 f/2.8 and 70-300L, as well as the M9/M7 combo with 3-4 lenses. Anticipate most shots will be taken with the Leicas, except when autofocus is helpful.

Hoping to pick up whatever is needed when I'm back in the States in a few weeks.

Appreciate any insights, suggestions, and comments.

Cheers,

Jeff
 
Pocket Wizards are the best choice, and can be used on all cameras with either a hot shoe or PC plug connection. They can be used to trigger an infinite number of flashes (of course, you'd need a transmitter/receiver for each flash/flash system).

Two other things that make Pocket Wizards great: 1) The units can function as either the sending or receiving unit; 2) You have different channels that you can set for your entire flash system. This is particularly helpful in situations where other photographers in the vicinity might also be using a Pocket Wizard (and potentially triggering your system). To follow that line of thinking, if you were to use regular old light-triggered slaves, every person in the room with a flash would be tripping your flashes. Plus, even if you were the only photographer there with a flash, your flashes would have to 'see' the flash on your camera in order for them to work. With a Pocket Wizard, you can be 60 feet away and around the corner, and they should still work (though admittedly I don't recall the exact range of the Pocket Wizard units). They also take 2-AA batteries, which is convenient if you need to replace them while you're away.

Expensive? Yes they are, and particularly if you need 4 or 5 of them. But, if you want a reliable system that can be used with multiple cameras and not let you down, then this is the one to get.
 
If your travel is within the US you should be using FCC approved stuff for the US. Be careful of taking US stuff to other countries as the frequencies approved are different. If you're going to Europe, you may want to buy the radio remotes in Europe. It's not a question of the units working, it's a problem with the customs agents grabbing the gear if they look at the country compliance data printed on the transmitter. I've read that some people have had problems when traveling with radio remotes.

http://www.pocketwizard.com/inspirations/technology/frequency/
 
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JHenry said:
Are there any less expensive alternatives to Pocket Wizards?
Click to expand...
Jeff the Cactus v5 is a more-or-less direct replacement for the PW as it's a transceiver type. The v5 is new and there are reports that it's unreliable, so be careful. Maybe the best alternative to PWs is the YongNuo RF-602 which is very reliable and taking market share. Pros use them because of their reliability and low cost, amateurs love them 'cos they're cheap. YongNuo also make a range of widely used flashes. A good place to find users of these and similar strobist devices is the Small Flash and Studio Lighting forum on POTN (the Canon site).

I use Nikon flashes and and I can use my Nikon SB-800 on a Leica MP to control multiple SB-600 units. I believe similar capabilities are available on the modern Canon flashes so you may want to look into that too.
 
I use Cowboy Studio + light meter + flash in manual mode. Cheap and direct use with any digital / film camera.
Just need a first test to measure with light meter. Then you set your exposure from your light meter manually in the camera and start shooting.
 
Thanks for the input, everybody. Sounds like PWs are the way to go.

Hadn't thought about the frequency issue, since so many electronics nowadays are made with FCC and CE compliance. But, since I'm mainly in the US and Asia, seems the FCC approved devices are the logical choice.

Thanks again,

Jeff
 
swoop said:
I'm all about microsyncs. They don't have the extreme range that pocketwizards do. But for 90% of the work i do it works fine for lighting a room with an off camera flash. The best part is it is super compact in the bag and on the camera.

http://www.microsyncdigital.com
Click to expand...

I don't know if you've ever been in a spot with a lot of photographers using PWs - with 4 Chs of frequencies, they are firing each others flash units. It's quite a troubling sight - and it takes them a bit to figure out what is happening. Then they try to get the frequencies figured out. If there are more than 4 of them, there is trouble. A microsync is a quick solution to this, as they are unpopular and operate far from the PWs frequencies.
 
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Thanks again for the input.

The MicroSyncs look interesting. But, there is no hot shoe on the receiver. How would I connect my flash (an old Canon 550EX, which I might have to upgrade)? Also, I assume that the MicroSyncs don't support E-TTL when used on a Canon with Canon flash. I reviewed MicroSync's web site, but it is awful for presenting information. When using the MicroSyncs, is everything set manually on the flash?

As for Pocket Wizards, I read in another forum that they would have to be set to manual via the computer program to be used on the M9, as opposed to keeping them set on E-TTL. Can anybody confirm the need to use a computer to change the setting? If so, that would make it difficult/impossible to move the PWs from the M9 to 5DII while in the field.

Big price difference between the two systems. I'm leaning towards the MicroSyncs only because I don't anticipate using off camera flash very often. Just need a bit more info before deciding.

Thanks,

Jeff
 
Never heard about that computer thing -- I just put it on my M9, set the shutter speed to 1/60th of a second, and started shooting. No menu setup at all, so I don't know what that's about.

As far as the whole radio trigger thing goes, I learned an expensive lesson, and maybe this might help you with your decision-making: Several years ago when I wanted to finally buy a radio trigger set, I really wanted the Pocket Wizard, as they seemed to be the 'industry standard', and that's what all the pros seemed to be using (at least from what I had seen). I didn't want to spend that kind of money at the time, but opted instead for the Quantum Radio Slave 4. A decent-enough system, but very bulky on the camera, and I didn't think that the quality of manufacture was there. I had three transmitters and three receivers. Next, I 'graduated' to the tiny Elinchrom system -- thought that this would really be the solution to all my troubles. Really tiny on the camera, and the workmanship looked really good. I eventually found out a flaw in the design: the receiver unit has a push-button on/off, and if you put a couple of them in their little carrying case, well the on/off button will eventually get pushed on its own, and guess what -- drains the battery! Then at the crucial moment you need it when you're on location, it is dead!

After all that runaround, and buying and not being happy with two other systems, I finally came around and bought the Pocket Wizard. 5 units in total, and couldn't be happier. And if I just bought these right off the bat instead of going through all that trouble and frustration, would have been cheaper in the long run.

So, the moral of the story is -- buy the best that you can FIRST, and that would be the Pocket Wizard.
 
I went with the Cybersync triggers. Much cheaper at the time than pocketwizards and more reliable than cactus triggers/unbranded eBay triggers.

I dont need extreme long distances or totally flawless operation (though I haunt had much trouble on reliability). The price differences may be lower these days since more pocketwizard lines have been released. I might go PW if I were buying today.
 
I have PW's for my Nikons and can attest to their flawless reliability and long range.

But i must admit, the cybersyncs look tempting for M use, due to their small size.
 
JHenry said:
Thanks again for the input.

The MicroSyncs look interesting. But, there is no hot shoe on the receiver. How would I connect my flash (an old Canon 550EX, which I might have to upgrade)? Also, I assume that the MicroSyncs don't support E-TTL when used on a Canon with Canon flash. I reviewed MicroSync's web site, but it is awful for presenting information. When using the MicroSyncs, is everything set manually on the flash?

As for Pocket Wizards, I read in another forum that they would have to be set to manual via the computer program to be used on the M9, as opposed to keeping them set on E-TTL. Can anybody confirm the need to use a computer to change the setting? If so, that would make it difficult/impossible to move the PWs from the M9 to 5DII while in the field.

Big price difference between the two systems. I'm leaning towards the MicroSyncs only because I don't anticipate using off camera flash very often. Just need a bit more info before deciding.

Thanks,

Jeff
Click to expand...

The Microsync receiver and transmitter have 3mm jacks on the side to provide access to the switching transistors. You can buy cabling from them or make your own for specific operations. I don't know anything about Canon compatibility. You might have a look on their web site or send them a note with your questions. I've used mine to fire a number of camera remotes and both studio and portable flash units. Buy what you're comfortable using. Most of the units mentioned in this thread, have good reviews.
 
Brian Legge said:
I went with the Cybersync triggers. Much cheaper at the time than pocketwizards and more reliable than cactus triggers/unbranded eBay triggers.

I dont need extreme long distances or totally flawless operation (though I haunt had much trouble on reliability). The price differences may be lower these days since more pocketwizard lines have been released. I might go PW if I were buying today.
Click to expand...

I've never had a failure with my Cybersync triggers. I use the simple ones, I'm just not going to look at a LED screen to do my photographs. I've used them with 7 DSLRs/SLRs, Leica IIIf, Pentax 6x7, 3 folders, and many 60-70s fixed lens RFs. I got a Wein Safe Synch with some of the money I saved by not buying PWs. But I think the PWs are an excellent product.
 
Thanks for your input and suggestions.

Leaning a bit more towards the Pocket Wizards due to their great abilities--might find a use for those features in the future as I continue to learn and grow.

Jeff
 
charjohncarter said:
I've never had a failure with my Cybersync triggers. I use the simple ones, I'm just not going to look at a LED screen to do my photographs. I've used them with 7 DSLRs/SLRs, Leica IIIf, Pentax 6x7, 3 folders, and many 60-70s fixed lens RFs. I got a Wein Safe Synch with some of the money I saved by not buying PWs. But I think the PWs are an excellent product.
Click to expand...

Be careful with trusting the Wein. It's nothing more than an Isolation Transformer and may not protect your DSLR's CMOS if the trigger voltage is greater than 10 VDC. Some of the older studio flash units had trigger voltages as high as 250 V. I would keep a radio or IR link between a DSLR and a non system flash unit.
 
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