Remote flash triggers for Nikon - info?

Surfdog · April 24, 2010

For the 2nd week in a row, I have had flash failures while shooting wedding receptions. I shoot D700's with SB-800's, with the camera in cammander mode shooting the flashes remotely on flash brackets. Both flashes failed at the same time - once the hall went dark and the band fired up. I can only guess there is something with the sound equipment that interferes with the signal going to the flash.

Soooooo...I want to purchase remote triggers for both of my cameras/flashes. Don't know much about them and would like to see what others are using and what experience they have had. Is there an atvantage to radio remotes over infared remotes. Any brands you would recommend?

I would appreciate any guidance I could get.

run_kmc · April 25, 2010

Radio triggers have a larger range, and don't need to be line-of-sight. I think they are the way to go.

The most popular (for a reason) are Pocketwizards. Other quality options include Elinchrom Skyports and Cybersyncs from Paul C. Buff.

I think Cybersyncs are the best balance of power and price, but those Pocketwizards are tempting.

Art Scott · April 25, 2010

here is what i have been using for well over a year and the same ebay retailer:

http://tinyurl.com/23qddbs

manual shooting with these triggers.....but that is 99% of my flash shooting anyway.......................

Surfdog · April 25, 2010

run_kmc wrote:

Radio triggers have a larger range, and don't need to be line-of-sight. I think they are the way to go.

The most popular (for a reason) are Pocketwizards. Other quality options include Elinchrom Skyports and Cybersyncs from Paul C. Buff.

I think Cybersyncs are the best balance of power and price, but those Pocketwizards are tempting.

Thanks. That gives me a place to start. One question that I have about these remote triggers is whether they will allow shooting in TTL or iTTL mode.

chefdave · April 25, 2010

Surfdog wrote:

Thanks. That gives me a place to start. One question that I have about these remote triggers is whether they will allow shooting in TTL or iTTL mode.

The new pocket wizards will allow for TTL mode.

run_kmc · April 25, 2010

chefdave wrote:

The new pocket wizards will allow for TTL mode.

If I'm not mistaken, they'll be the ONLY ones that allow for TTL.

Maybe Radiopoppers, too. I don't know, I shoot Olympus, no one ever makes this stuff for me.

Snowgirl · April 25, 2010

I think that PWs are the only ones that accommodate TTL or ETTL. I just bought Cactus Wizards ($39 + taxes & shipping) - package includes transmitter, receiver, cords if you need them and first set of batteries. I've only had them a week so I can't comment on their longevity - but I'm very happy so far, especially for the price - vs. hundreds of dollars for PWs.

Surfdog · April 25, 2010

Snowgirl wrote:

I think that PWs are the only ones that accommodate TTL or ETTL. I just bought Cactus Wizards ($39 + taxes & shipping) - package includes transmitter, receiver, cords if you need them and first set of batteries. I've only had them a week so I can't comment on their longevity - but I'm very happy so far, especially for the price - vs. hundreds of dollars for PWs.

Ceci - What camera do you shoot? I would really like to hear back from you about how the Cactus Wizard performs. Please update me after you have used them for a while. Thanks!

Remote flash triggers for Nikon - info?

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