Power pack for 550/580 flash

PittspilotPittspilot Registered Users Posts: 128 Major grins
edited February 21, 2008 in Accessories
I have had a Sunpak 2000 power pack for a couple of years now. I love the format and ease of use of the main control pack, but the batteries a) shed charge (even when not being used) to a startling degree and b) take forever to charge.

One battery has died completely and the second when used last weekend lasted less than an hour and performed poorly in terms of cycle time and full charge. I cannot find any sources for a new battery pack (everywhere seems to be out of stock).

So my questions:

* Any input on the Sunpak (good, bad, indifferent)

* What power pack(s) do you use? Would you recommend it?

* How do you connect / fire the flash when off camera?

Cheers

Comments

  • henryphenryp Registered Users Posts: 144 Major grins
    edited February 20, 2008
    Pittspilot wrote:
    What power pack(s) do you use? Would you recommend it?

    IMHO you absolutely cannot go wrong with a Quantum battery.
    How do you connect / fire the flash when off camera?

    Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord.
    Henry Posner
    B&H Photo-Video
  • PittspilotPittspilot Registered Users Posts: 128 Major grins
    edited February 20, 2008
    henryp wrote:
    IMHO you absolutely cannot go wrong with a Quantum battery.



    Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord.

    Thanks Henry. I should have made clear that I'm looking for a wireless solution (longer than the OC cable, which I have (From you :-))

    Cheers
  • gryphonslair99gryphonslair99 Registered Users Posts: 182 Major grins
    edited February 20, 2008
    Pittspilot wrote:
    Thanks Henry. I should have made clear that I'm looking for a wireless solution (longer than the OC cable, which I have (From you :-))

    Cheers

    It just doesn't get any better than this. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/441353-REG/Pocket_Wizard_801125_Plus_II_Transceiver_Radio.html
    They are pricy but they are also the industry standard. Sekonic has a modual for many of their meters that will wirelessly trigger the Pocket Wizards. Many of the top lighting companies are now offering their mono-light heads with built in pocket wizard receivers. They have unsurpassed range and are top quility.

    The Elinchrome Skyport is another popular and apparently reliable wireless solution. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/505382-REG/Elinchrom_19362_EL_Skyport_RX_Radio_Slave.html
    They are not as well supported with additional accessories, but places like FlashZebra are now building accessores for them as well. I have heard that they are very reliable, but of less range. The above link is for one transmitter and two receivers. Cheaper in cost than the PocketWizards.
  • PittspilotPittspilot Registered Users Posts: 128 Major grins
    edited February 20, 2008
    gryphonslair99 wrote:
    It just doesn't get any better than this. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/441353-REG/Pocket_Wizard_801125_Plus_II_Transceiver_Radio.html
    They are pricy but they are also the industry standard. Sekonic has a modual for many of their meters that will wirelessly trigger the Pocket Wizards. Many of the top lighting companies are now offering their mono-light heads with built in pocket wizard receivers. They have unsurpassed range and are top quility.

    I have pocket wizards, but the only connecters I can find are flimsy (to say the least) and actually came apart when I picked up the stand with the flash already mounted....
  • gryphonslair99gryphonslair99 Registered Users Posts: 182 Major grins
    edited February 21, 2008
    Pittspilot wrote:
    I have pocket wizards, but the only connecters I can find are flimsy (to say the least) and actually came apart when I picked up the stand with the flash already mounted....

    Try FlashZebra for cords. Also the PW Caddy is nice on things like stands.
    http://flashzebra.com/products.shtml
    I looked at the cheap end when I needed wireless slaves and ended up with the PW's. Glad I did now as they are built as well as any I have seen and as I said have functioned flawlessly.
  • PittspilotPittspilot Registered Users Posts: 128 Major grins
    edited February 21, 2008
    gryphonslair99 wrote:
    Try FlashZebra for cords. Also the PW Caddy is nice on things like stands.
    http://flashzebra.com/products.shtml
    I looked at the cheap end when I needed wireless slaves and ended up with the PW's. Glad I did now as they are built as well as any I have seen and as I said have functioned flawlessly.


    Looks perfect, thanks!
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