My Budget Strobist Setup?

newb

So Ive been lookin for a trigger/reciever set for my budget strobist setup. Of course, the Cactus V4's popped into my mind. The problem is, Ive already got 2 Sunpack PZ42X's that I purchased a while back as a cheap alternative to an SB600 (I was looking for something that would work with iTTL) and the Cactuses wont trigger these. Apperantly the PZ42X's arent triggered with the center pin, which is all the Cactus set has. So, does anybody know a resonably priced trigger/reciever set that would work for the PZ42X's? Or am I going to need to buy more flashes to use off camera? Thanks in advance!

newb

After lookin at several PC Sync adapters, none seem to be any different than the Cactus. They only have one pin in the shoe. So is that option not viable either?

Zanotti

A couple links for you to read through, the answers are here.


http://flashzebra.com/opticalslaves/index.shtml


http://speedliting.com/gear/wireless-triggers-radio-infrared/


http://speedliting.com/


Hosted by Syl Arena, the current guru on all things Canon related flash.





Z

newb

Zanotti wrote:

A couple links for you to read through, the answers are here.


http://flashzebra.com/opticalslaves/index.shtml


http://speedliting.com/gear/wireless-triggers-radio-infrared/


http://speedliting.com/


Hosted by Syl Arena, the current guru on all things Canon related flash.





Z

I read through the links you provided, and followed links from them as well but theres one problem. Im workin with Nikon stuff here lol. Even though the Pocket Wizards would work with Nikon, theyre definitely out of the budget.

I was lookin at these though, but I guess I need to get ahold of the manufacturer and ask if they will work with the PZ42X's.

Also, optical slaves wont quite work for me. Ill be using lights behind rocks and walls. Thanks for the link though.

time2smile

The RF-602 I purchased from ebay work with my Quantaray QDC900WA. Dont know if they work with your units. No ttl but they do have multi pin shoe connector. You may be able to email one of the larger vender's and ask them.
Heres the strobist link to a review http://tinyurl.com/yz26edu

Good Luck

newb

I forgot to look at the RF602's. Thanks!

How do you like yours?

time2smile

newb wrote:

I forgot to look at the RF602's. Thanks!

How do you like yours?

I just got my second transmitter a couple of weeks ago. So know i can trigger both the shutter and the flash on different Chanel's and it seems to work fine. Haven't been able to give it a good test. I put a small piece of paper between the CR2 battery and the terminal when not in use, and the original battery seem fine, first unit several months old.
This weekend it should be nice out, hoping to get into it after dark with three flash heads, and the remote shutter.

good luck

sethny

excellent

newb wrote: »

I forgot to look at the RF602's. Thanks!

How do you like yours?

I use the RF-602 in regular basis to trigger 2 flashpoint 160 (adorama) monolights : I do catalogs with hundreds of shots per session and never had any problem. none. They just work.
I also use'em for my setup at home to trigger 2 sunpak 383 and two monolights (adorama budget) with again no problem whatsoever.

They are cheap and well made.

newb

sethny wrote: »

I use the RF-602 in regular basis to trigger 2 flashpoint 160 (adorama) monolights : I do catalogs with hundreds of shots per session and never had any problem. none. They just work.
I also use'em for my setup at home to trigger 2 sunpak 383 and two monolights (adorama budget) with again no problem whatsoever.

They are cheap and well made.

Awesome! Thanks for the input.

Its down to the RF 602's and the Interfit iSyncs. When you buy the RF 602's, where do you buy seperate receivers? I only see the trigger/receiver sets.

newb

OK, I know this thread is old, but hopefully my input will help someone else.

I decided on the RF-602's. I love them. I havent had a single misfire yet. Ive only tested them in my neighborhood, but Ive got up to a block away from the flash without a misfire. One thing Ive noticed is that when my Sunpack PZ42X's are on and charged, when I turn the reciever on the flash fires. Not the case with my SB600's. Also, the wake up function does not work. None of that bothers me too much though. They also work awesome as wireless shutter releases. The half press function works perfect, and they release the shutter every time.

ziggy53

newb wrote: »

OK, I know this thread is old, but hopefully my input will help someone else.

I decided on the RF-602's. I love them. I havent had a single misfire yet. Ive only tested them in my neighborhood, but Ive got up to a block away from the flash without a misfire. One thing Ive noticed is that when my Sunpack PZ42X's are on and charged, when I turn the reciever on the flash fires. Not the case with my SB600's. Also, the wake up function does not work. None of that bothers me too much though. They also work awesome as wireless shutter releases. The half press function works perfect, and they release the shutter every time.

It's always good to get feedback on products. Thanks for getting back to us.

newb

No problem!

During my search for feedback I found a lot of discussions that didnt seem to have any first hand feedback. It drove me crazy. So , like I said, hopefully this will help someone out.

r3t1awr3yd

newb wrote: »

Awesome! Thanks for the input.

Its down to the RF 602's and the Interfit iSyncs. When you buy the RF 602's, where do you buy seperate receivers? I only see the trigger/receiver sets.

Had the same decision 6 months ago. Bought the RF602s with four receivers. LOVE 'em. Two interfit 150 strobes and my SB600 all love them.

The ONLY issue is the SB600 will not wake up with the RF-602s (known issue) so I disabled sleep mode for my SB600. Be battery conscious.

jbakerphoto

Guess I mine as well add to the glowing RF 602 reviews . I got mine about 2 weeks ago. I just used them at a barrel race that lasted 7 hours with about 250 riders and I got to say those things are golden. They just did not misfire. I was using them with an alien bee 800, 580 ex and a sunpack 383. They are definitely well worth the 100 bucks for 2 transmitters and 4 receivers.

HelenOster

sethny wrote: »

I use the RF-602 in regular basis to trigger 2 flashpoint 160 (adorama) monolights : I do catalogs with hundreds of shots per session and never had any problem. none. They just work.
I also use'em for my setup at home to trigger 2 sunpak 383 and two monolights (adorama budget) with again no problem whatsoever.

They are cheap and well made.

BTW I just received an invite to http://www.flickr.com/groups/1258407@N25/

If you are interested in Flashpoint it might be useful.

Also, we have a new in-house Flashpoint expert at Adorama. If you ever have queries you can email me and I'll pass your details on to him.

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
http://helenoster.blogspot.com

sethny

HelenOster wrote: »

BTW I just received an invite to http://www.flickr.com/groups/1258407@N25/

If you are interested in Flashpoint it might be useful.

Also, we have a new in-house Flashpoint expert at Adorama. If you ever have queries you can email me and I'll pass your details on to him.

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
<o:p></o:p>
http://helenoster.blogspot.com

thanks Helen.
Adorama should import the RF-602 triggers so we don't have to get'em from China on ebay ...
both the flashpoint budget and 160 are excellent and cheap. well done, Adorama

"classic" shot , 2 flashpoint 160 , 1 hairlight
right light @ f/8 shot through (adorama umbrella white, 40")
left light @ f/5.6 (adorama umbrella 40")
hairlight @ f/5.6 (softbox)
rf-602 triggers

about the RF-602 transmitters there are reports of poor battery contacts. open the transmitter and make sure that the battery sits tight and in case move the "+" and "-" terminals closer to eachother and re-insert the battery.

HelenOster

sethny wrote: »

thanks Helen.
Adorama should import the RF-602 triggers so we don't have to get'em from China on ebay ...
both the flashpoint budget and 160 are excellent and cheap. well done, Adorama

Thanks for the suggestion, which I've passed on to our buying department.

When you get a chance, could you drop me an email?

Thanks

newb

I would love to see the RF602's at Adorama!

Im still lovin my set. Heres a quick test I did in the back yard the other day. Straight off the camera.

sethny

newb wrote: »

I would love to see the RF602's at Adorama!

Im still lovin my set. Heres a quick test I did in the back yard the other day. Straight off the camera.

nice
the background lighting is impressive!
bravo

a bit over on the main subject ...

again check the battery and terminals of the transmitter before an important shoot.

congrats for the setup!