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Author Topic: Time for some new radio triggers  (Read 1763 times)

GregShapps

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Time for some new radio triggers
« on: February 27, 2013, 09:30:32 pm »

My Quantum Radio Slaves that I have been using for almost 20 years are causing me headaches and its time to replace all of them.   I really do not know much about any other systems out there has never been a need to know about them.   

I see that Pocket Wizard has a half dozen different products and I have no clue whats what with them.   

Are there any other systems I should be looking at?

I use these on my Cambo Ultima with Phase backs as well as on my Canons - and plugged into lots of Speedo Packs.

I need a new system ASAP which means I need to buy this tomorrow (Thursday) at Calumet so I can get back to work

Thanks,
Greg
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Ellis Vener

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Re: Time for some new radio triggers
« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2013, 10:53:47 pm »

You want either Pocketwizard MultiMAX units (the big kahunas) or the new Plus III systems. The MultiMAX transceivers have more features (which you may or may not want, need, or ever use) but the Plus IIIs are dynamite as well and a lot less per transceiver.

I did the Radio Slave dance for many years , the original GVI Radio Slave, and then Quantum II, III, & IV before dumping them for the original Pocketwizard Classics in the mid '90s. The only time I've had a problem with the Pocketwizards misfiring was user errors. That includes  a ballet company stage hand plugging  an old HH sync (twin blade, looks like a non-grounded 110v AC plug) cord into a live AC circuit instead of the flash.  When I test fired it   the resulting voltage surge back into the unit vaporized ( And I am being literal in that description) the main chip on the circuit board.
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GregShapps

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Re: Time for some new radio triggers
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2013, 11:10:04 pm »

Thanks Ellis!

My Radio Slaves which are I think all 4i's have been great but all of the sudden they are randomly popping my packs.   Batteries are all fresh, and I've tried a dozen different sync cords and of course every channel combo but for a 2+ hour period today they just would not stop randomly flashing.

There are 6 other Photographers in my building that could have been effecting me but that would not have been happening on every channel combo.

I love the simplicity of the Quantum's and really know if I would ever need all the features that the Pocket Wizards seem to have.   For me the best part about the Radio Slaves is the Transmitter which lays flat over the lens which always made so much more sense to me then the big Pocket Wizard standing tall with the antenna on the hot shoe - it always made it easier to lift your eye up and look over the camera instead of around the slave unit.
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rgs

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Re: Time for some new radio triggers
« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2013, 11:18:11 pm »

See if the Photix Stato II will meet your needs. Half the price of the Pocket Wizards. They are all I need but I'm not doing all that studio work.
« Last Edit: February 28, 2013, 12:23:59 pm by rgs »
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Dustbak

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Re: Time for some new radio triggers
« Reply #4 on: February 28, 2013, 03:14:28 am »

If you are not using Canon speedlights I would second the plus triggers made by pocketwizard. Rocksolid and reliable. I have been using the II's for years, they just work and continue to do so. Nowadays I use a set of II's to remotely trigger my cameras. I have switched to Profoto AIR for triggering my lights and TT1/TT5 when I use speedlights.
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Morgan_Moore

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Re: Time for some new radio triggers
« Reply #5 on: February 28, 2013, 05:39:15 am »

Not wanting to deviate OT too far - my Pocket Wizards are falling apart (after maybe 8 years of daily professional use on location)

I use Qflashes and dont care about TTL or such like just shoot at 1/4 1/2 power etc.

Its th 1/4 jack plug that is wonky - nothing else

I feel I have had good service from my Wizards but see that they still use this silly connector in 2013, and am not inclined to buy another set (four)

I borrowed some from a college yesterday (very new) and one had the same issue but not as bad

Any other options/fixes or suchlike?

S
« Last Edit: February 28, 2013, 05:45:33 am by Morgan_Moore »
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Sam Morgan Moore Bristol UK

Ken Bennett

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Re: Time for some new radio triggers
« Reply #6 on: February 28, 2013, 07:14:33 am »

I have the Pocket Wizard Plus II and Plus III units, and a set of the PW TTL units for my speedlights. Of all of them, I like the Plus II best -- they have actual physical switches for on/off and channel selection. The Plus III units are also good, and have many more available channels, plus they are less expensive.

I too had Quantums and used them for many years. The PWs are just so much better.
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Ellis Vener

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Re: Time for some new radio triggers
« Reply #7 on: February 28, 2013, 01:43:23 pm »

With that many photographers in your building the PW Plus III and MultiMAX 32 channels will be handy. Channel 17-32 also have 4 sub channels (or zones) as well.
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GregShapps

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Re: Time for some new radio triggers
« Reply #8 on: March 01, 2013, 01:56:24 am »

for some reason I held off from buying the PW+III today and I am kind of glad I did - Calumet just posted on FB that they have the new Pocket Wizard Plus X looks more like what I am looking - stripped down and simple with hopefully the reliability I need.   I pick up a couple of these over the weekend to test.
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