I am trying to find out as much as I can about pocket wizards and what I would need to get for an off camera flash setup. Is there something less expensive that works as well? I am not Joe McNally and will not end up with twenty or thirty flashes in use at one time. I am mainly interested in starting out with one flash and may work up to between One, two or three latter. I already own the Nikon SB600, SB800, and SB900 flashes. Any guidance, suggestion, tips or info would be greatly appreciated. Grandpaw
Thinking about some pocket wizards
- Thread starter grandpaw
- Start date
I have the flex and mini pocket wizards. You can get cheap ttl radio triggers but these pocket wizards just work and will be supported into the future.
I sometimes use a compatible sekonic meter to do things manually, however I'm glad I got something that supports ttl for situations where things are moving quickly.
I sometimes use a compatible sekonic meter to do things manually, however I'm glad I got something that supports ttl for situations where things are moving quickly.
What is your budget? Maybe search ebay for a deal on at least two Pocketwizard Plus II transceivers. Watch as some sellers are delusional and expect to get $90+ for a used Plus II when new PlusX units are only $99 each
One of the videos that I watched was how to shoot just about everything with just one flash and how much can really be done with a single flash. I also have a couple of Vivitar 283 flashes that I can also use. This is one of the videos that I have watched. Jeff
PocketWizard and One Speedlight Portrait Wonders -- with Rick Sammon - YouTube
PocketWizard and One Speedlight Portrait Wonders -- with Rick Sammon - YouTube
You can do quite a bit with one speedlight.
Checkout this great thread on POTN: Single Speed-Light (hotshoe flash): Creative examples... - Canon Digital Photography Forums
Try to pick up a copy of his DVD series, One Light - OneLight DVD • Photography By Zack Arias
Try ebay for a copy.
Check out Zack Arias - Photography By Zack Arias
Checkout this great thread on POTN: Single Speed-Light (hotshoe flash): Creative examples... - Canon Digital Photography Forums
Try to pick up a copy of his DVD series, One Light - OneLight DVD • Photography By Zack Arias
Try ebay for a copy.
Check out Zack Arias - Photography By Zack Arias
I have a follow up question. If I get the Pocket Wizards I will probably get one each of the Mini TT1 Flex, TT5 and the AC3 zone controller. I have some light stands that I have never used that I think will be just fine for this but would like to know if I need anything special to connect this to the top of the stand. I do have three of the flat stands for using with the Nikon flashes that can be screwed on top of a light stand. Is there something different or something else that I will need? I want to see how this works and will probably add another TT5 later when I get some money. I have a SB900, SB800, and SB600 flashes along with a few Vivitar 283 flashes so all I should need is maybe add another TT5 later on.
If I get what I listed it will be pressing it for money, the second one will have to wait.
That's a fair point as they are very expensive compared to the cheap radio triggers. You do sometimes see offers for 1 mini and two flex, but at the end of the day the line must be drawn somewhere. I was luck as I managed to buy them at trade price through a friend.
AxeMan - Rick S.
Senior Member
If you or anyone else is looking for a cheap way out and this is something you want to play around with you might want to try Amazon.com: CowboyStudio NPT-04 4 Channel Wireless Trigger for External Speelights with 1 Trigger and 2 Receivers (NPT-04+extra receiver): Camera & Photo
HOWEVER, they will not support TTL nor can they be fired by a Sekonic light meter. With that said, you get what you pay for.
I have three of these units and for the last year they have served me fine. At the time I wanted to play around with multiple off camera flash units with out dumping a ton of money down the drain. So I picked up three cheap speed lights and three of these triggers for under $200.
This year if the taxman if in my favor I hope to upgrade to a set of Alien Bee’s and will try these triggers with them. If they do not work then I also will be upgrading to a set of “Pocket Wizards”
HOWEVER, they will not support TTL nor can they be fired by a Sekonic light meter. With that said, you get what you pay for.
I have three of these units and for the last year they have served me fine. At the time I wanted to play around with multiple off camera flash units with out dumping a ton of money down the drain. So I picked up three cheap speed lights and three of these triggers for under $200.
This year if the taxman if in my favor I hope to upgrade to a set of Alien Bee’s and will try these triggers with them. If they do not work then I also will be upgrading to a set of “Pocket Wizards”
johnwartjr
Senior Member
I use these stands with my flashes Manfrotto 5001B Nano Black Light Stand - 6.2' (1.9m) 5001B B&H I use this adapter head: Midwest Photo Exchange LumoPro Compact Umbrella Swivel w/ Variable Cold Shoe And sometimes, I use these umbrellas to diffuse the flashes: Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43" 2001 These were recommended in one of Scott Kelby's guides, and I have found them to be quite valuable. I use the TT1s and TT5s with my SB900s as well as my alienbee strobes. The AC3 zone controller is very handy as well.
I am checking out all the suggestions as I narrow down what I will end up getting. I think right now I am leaning toward getting one Mini TT1 and one Flex five and wait on on the AC3 until I get a second Flex five receiver. I can easily adjust the power of the remote flash from my camera for a single unit. I will get the AC3 when I get the receiver for the second flash. Thanks to everyone for all of your input!!!
If you shoot the speedlight on TTL and the camera on manual you will be able to adjust the power of the flash very quickly if it fools the metering system.