What are some good ways to attach Pocketwizards?

jlw · January 6, 2008

[deleted]

gryphonslair99 · January 6, 2008

Scott_Quier · January 6, 2008

jlw wrote:

-- Hanging it by the lanyard wouldn't let me align the antenna correctly.

This has me confused. In my, admittedly, limited experience I've not had any transmit/receive problems with PWs. Can you expand on any problems/situations you have encountered?

Thanks

Scott_Quier · January 7, 2008

jlw wrote:

I just got the units, so it's more that I want to make sure I have a good way of mounting them before I start using them. (Studio shooting stresses me out enough without having to figure out how to make stuff work while the models are standing around thinking what a dork I am.)

I already tested the Velcro and found it won't hold the unit on the flash head. I'd rather not rely on tape or rubber bands because I'm always losing them or running out.

Do most people just hang them by the lanyard? The instruction manual says it's important to have the antennas parallel if you want to get the best range, so I felt I should try to do that.

Any thoughts?

Studio shooting - no issues. I've used mine in relatively large wedding receptions venues (55' x 85'), transmitting through walls, etc. I've never had a mis-fire. In a studio, you're talking less then 30' (unless you're really lucky and have a huge studio).

To answer the question, I just hang it by the lanyard from one of the thumb screws on they light stand un such a manner as to take all the stress off the wire connecting the PW with the strobe. It's the way I was taught by Shay Stephens last summer. No issues, no mis-fires, no worries.

cmason · January 7, 2008

The Strobist recommended device:

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101-ball-bungees.html

pathfinder · January 7, 2008

duct tape works

SloYerRoll · January 7, 2008

PW says to hang the antenna vertically.. Have you ever had your PW's not fire due to antenna orientation? I've had my PW's in all kinds of angles upwards of 800' away and NEVER had a misfire.
The lanyard works perfectly for me in almost all situations. When it doesn't it's just laying on a flat surface.

It's always good to RTFM. But maybe this isn't one of those golden rules. It's just a recommendation.

rwells · January 7, 2008

Pocket Wizards will sometimes misfire if the antenna is "close" to metal. This could be a light stand, catwalk, beam w/superclamp, etc...

Just make sure the antenna is not touching, nor very close to metal. I normally use duct-tape to secure the PW to the top of a paint "stir" stick like you get at Home Depot. Then I'll tape this to the metal object. (stand, beam, etc.) Sometimes just a plain old stick if that's all I can find.

I doubt you'll have issues in a studio, I am referring to long range use, like an arena.

I've not tried the PW Caddy, but it places the antenna pretty close to the stand and in-line with it. Too close for me, but I don't really like having to climb back up to the catwalks to keep adjusting them. YMMV

SloYerRoll · January 7, 2008

I guess I can't keep PW's to close to my head then

ian408 · January 9, 2008

I've done the hanging wizards thing and been OK. Admittedly, not in the
noisy electrical environment though.

I do like those ball bungee cords. The come in handy for all kinds of stuff.
The device in the first link looks cool too.

sportsshooter06 · January 9, 2008

Just hang it, with lanyard.
That's why they give it to you.

dmmattix · January 9, 2008

jlw wrote:

The ball bungees look as if they'd be good for lots of studio lashups. But I'm in a contest to be the last person in America never to set foot in a Wal-Mart, so I can't get them there.

Anyone know of where else they might be available, preferably online? I can just imagine the variety of odd looks (or worse) I might get in local stores if I just walked in and said, "Hi, can I get a ball bungee here?"

Try MidWest Photo Exchange (http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,454.htm)

SloYerRoll · January 9, 2008

Google is youf friend.

http://www.google.com/products?q=ball+bungee+cords&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wf

pathfinder · January 9, 2008

Sometimes, when in a hurry, I just hang the PW from the PC cord that is connecting it to the strobe

I'm not sayin' anyone else should do this.........

SloYerRoll · January 9, 2008

DUDE!
20 lashes for your heresy!
(I've done it too but I didn't admit openly like you did

)

pathfinder · January 10, 2008

What are some good ways to attach Pocketwizards?

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