Please suggest: On-camera + Off-camera lighting

OneWayMule

I have a very simple need:
To be able to RELIABLY trigger an off-camera flash (canon speedlight) while an on-camera flash is present.

My current set-up:
Canon 5d w/ 580ex II on top + PW Transceiver II connecting to the camera's pc-port. (see pic below)



Pros:
- Can use my existing PWs
- Allows me to only shoot on-camera flash, or only off-camera or both.

Cons:
- Extremely unreliable. Typically only a divine intervention will pop the off-camera flash (1 out of 5)
- A bit bulky to move around and the pc-cords don't stay in

I bought the MiniTT1 by PW thinking it's made exactly for this but nope... still very unreliable. The AC3 ZoneController sound great but will not allow on-camera flash (as far as I know)

Any suggestions or experience for a systems which will allow do this simple task w/o much fuss.

*TTL for off-camera would be HUGE bonus but i'll take manual all for consistent triggering.

ziggy53

Distance requirements?

Qarik

OneWayMule wrote: »

I have a very simple need:
To be able to RELIABLY trigger an off-camera flash (canon speedlight) while an on-camera flash is present.

My current set-up:
Canon 5d w/ 580ex II on top + PW Transceiver II connecting to the camera's pc-port. (see pic below)



Pros:
- Can use my existing PWs
- Allows me to only shoot on-camera flash, or only off-camera or both.

Cons:
- Extremely unreliable. Typically only a divine intervention will pop the off-camera flash (1 out of 5)
- A bit bulky to move around and the pc-cords don't stay in

I bought the MiniTT1 by PW thinking it's made exactly for this but nope... still very unreliable. The AC3 ZoneController sound great but will not allow on-camera flash (as far as I know)

Any suggestions or experience for a systems which will allow do this simple task w/o much fuss.

*TTL for off-camera would be HUGE bonus but i'll take manual all for consistent triggering.

hmmm.. that is weird, The MiniTT is supposed to do just what you described. Works By the way do you have the RF (soft or hard) shield for the off camera flash in the miniTT setup?

OneWayMule

ziggy53 wrote: »

Distance requirements?

Not much really.. within 30ft

OneWayMule

Qarik wrote: »

hmmm.. that is weird, The MiniTT is supposed to do just what you described. Works By the way do you have the RF (soft or hard) shield for the off camera flash in the miniTT setup?

If this is what you're referring to (http://bit.ly/t42CnN), then no, i dont have it.

ziggy53

The Canon 580EX II is known to have some pretty strong RF emissions (absent in the 580EX), so that could be a source of your problems, especially if you have to attach the transmitter on top of the flash. You could also try hanging the transmitter, to get it away from the flash, and see if that helps.

Qarik

OneWayMule wrote: »

If this is what you're referring to (http://bit.ly/t42CnN), then no, i dont have it.

I am referring to these:

http://www.pocketwizard.com/products/transmitter_receiver/ac7%20rf%20hard%20shield/

http://www.pocketwizard.com/products/transmitter_receiver/ac5%20rf%20soft%20shield/

OneWayMule

Thanks guys, i wasn't even aware of this RF transmission issue.

I guess that's something else to look into now... ugh

NagoC50

In addition to those links listed by Qarik detailing the PW "sock" and hard shield, take a look at this other PW link (explains the RF issue and lists some shops that will "fix" your 580II for ~$70).

I've found my MiniTT1 and Flex setup quite reliable, particularly at 30 feet. With unmodded flashes, anything beyond say 50 feet is so-so.

http://www.pocketwizard.com/support/tech_bulletins/580exii_mod/