I don't really know what it is called, but I would like to get something to fire my flash wireless (SB600). I currently use a Sync cord, but I am running into many limitations and I decided it's time to move forward. The only one I have heard of is the Pocket Wizard but I don't know enough about it. Can someone explain to me what exactly I would need and what alternatives there are? Thanks in advance.
i am guessing that since it is an sb600 you are probably going with nikon. you can get a cheap knockoff called rf-602 by yongnuo. they can be picked up on ebay. i use them and don't have any problems with them. there are a couple nice features with them, multiple channels, they have a plug on front that you can add a cord to if need be, and often one of the cords can be a trigger for the camera to fire (depending on model) you need both the transmitter and receiver (about $20 to $25 each) they are not as durable as the pocket wizards, but a good model to start with. a neat side feature is with my d90 when ever i hit shutter half down for focus there is a green light that pops on and people can look at them so in shooting groups it gives them a shiny point to look at, when needing to shoot a lot of people fast that little thing helps out a lot.
i have a couple sb800's and can fire wireless with the camera, but because of conditions such as fire scenes the built in system has issues so i use the rf-602's and don't have any problems. there are a few other cheaper versions, but i would highly suggest avoiding them.
they are not as durable as the pocket wizards, and they have a few quirks, but $40 compared to $350 plus, unless you are using them day in and out you should be fine.
I am happy with them, and keep 2 in my camera bag for my flashes and cables for pc connection as well as the hot shoe, and a shutter release hook up - in the video it didn't work for him, but it works on mine, and with the cost i don't feel bad if i break one. i am not sure how they would handle voltage of older flashes but you will be fine using them with the sb600
You have two options if you want something reliable 100% of the time. The problem with cheaper knockoffs is that distance will cause them to misfire. Sometimes, when you are in a crowd of people using other electronic devices, the RF frequencies will clash.
The advantage is that PocketWizard and CyberSync have FCC licenses and have secured their RF frequencies for only their own devices.
Your first choice is PocketWizard. I have six of these now and love them to death. They are 100% reliable, never misfire, and work perfectly with any camera and any flash. They are expensive, running about $300 for a pair (one transceiver, one receiver). The advantage with PocketWizard is the ability to spend an extra $15 to get custom frequencies assigned to your PW, therefore no one else can ever accidentally trigger your gear. The disadvantage, other than the price, is that PW's are very common. You are likely to come across other photographers with PW's, and although you have four channels to choose from, you can still clash. Imagine what it was like for me to shoot an indoor track meet a year ago with 16 other photographers, and every single one of us was using PocketWizard.
The second, cheaper, but still reliable choice is CyberSync. These are made by Paul C. Bluff, the maker of White Lightning and Alien Bees strobes. CyberSyncs are smaller, cheaper at just $80 each, and just as reliable. They also have 8 channels to choose from, making them more versatile. The only thing I don't like about CyberSync is they rely on watch batteries, which tend to stop working under cold temperatures lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. These watch batteries also don't last as long and are not rechargeable (PW's use 2 AA batteries).
Each of these choices have many additional options to choose from. PocketWizard has the MultiMax, which is a transmitter unit capable of controlling up to four independent sets of PocketWizard receivers at once. CyberSync has the CyberCommander, a unit you can attach to your camera and not only control different receivers, but also control strobe settings (only works with White Lightning and Alien Bees).
When it comes down to it, if you already have or are thinking about buying White Lighting or Alien Bees, get CyberSync. If you plan to shoot in public spaces, sports, or events where other photographers may abound, get PocketWizard with a custom RF frequency.
@mattyb Jason is right, the pocket wizard is much better, what conditions are you wanting to use them for? that will help as well. if it is for a few shots and just starting out, the rf-602 i still think would be best. if it is daily use one of the two he mentioned might be better.
I use Cybersyncs. I've had a few issues with them, but for the most part, they're reliable and much cheaper than PW.
The weak link I found is the cable that goes from the receiver to the flash PC port. The connection on the cable that comes with the cybersyncs isn't very tight. I solved this by buying screwlock cables from Flashzebra. They work great.
@mattyb pocketwizards are great! that is, if most of your income comes from studio or location photography. if you have one flash, and are looking to try out strobist or off-cam flash photography, then what @cchambers suggested may be enough at this point. i personally have the yongnuos, (diff model tho) and they misfire a few times, but i'm not using them in an environment where absolute precision/accuracy is required. for their price, they're great for playing around and exploring. :D
@cchambers@jasonbarnette@cmontemurro@nellycious Thank you all so much. You have all been so informative. Since I don't have a business and I an just getting used to the off camera flash, I am going to opt for one of the cheaper suggestions you had mentioned. If/when I get serious and start doing it for income, I will invest in the PWs but for now......the others seems like a good fit. Once again, thank you all so much.
@cmontemurro@mattyb One thing I learned the hard way at a job a year ago is that Pocket Wizard and CyberSync do not mix. Not at all.
I was shooting NCAA sports for UNC Wilmington. The six strobes they had installed in the coliseum for basketball were triggered by CyberSync. However, they only had two CyberSync transmitters.
I tried to tie Pocket Wizards into the system by using a Pocket Wizard to fire a remote camera that in turn fired the CyberSyncs. In theory, that should have meant all cameras and strobes fire at once.
However, Paul C. Buff built an inherent delay in CyberSyncs of 0.015 seconds, which was just enough to completely screw everything up.
The moral of the story: when you start buying remotes, you must buy all the same brand. Mixing will never work.
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i have a couple sb800's and can fire wireless with the camera, but because of conditions such as fire scenes the built in system has issues so i use the rf-602's and don't have any problems. there are a few other cheaper versions, but i would highly suggest avoiding them.
they are not as durable as the pocket wizards, and they have a few quirks, but $40 compared to $350 plus, unless you are using them day in and out you should be fine.
here is a video with review about them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5shvFGUf3g
I am happy with them, and keep 2 in my camera bag for my flashes and cables for pc connection as well as the hot shoe, and a shutter release hook up - in the video it didn't work for him, but it works on mine, and with the cost i don't feel bad if i break one. i am not sure how they would handle voltage of older flashes but you will be fine using them with the sb600
The advantage is that PocketWizard and CyberSync have FCC licenses and have secured their RF frequencies for only their own devices.
Your first choice is PocketWizard. I have six of these now and love them to death. They are 100% reliable, never misfire, and work perfectly with any camera and any flash. They are expensive, running about $300 for a pair (one transceiver, one receiver). The advantage with PocketWizard is the ability to spend an extra $15 to get custom frequencies assigned to your PW, therefore no one else can ever accidentally trigger your gear. The disadvantage, other than the price, is that PW's are very common. You are likely to come across other photographers with PW's, and although you have four channels to choose from, you can still clash. Imagine what it was like for me to shoot an indoor track meet a year ago with 16 other photographers, and every single one of us was using PocketWizard.
The second, cheaper, but still reliable choice is CyberSync. These are made by Paul C. Bluff, the maker of White Lightning and Alien Bees strobes. CyberSyncs are smaller, cheaper at just $80 each, and just as reliable. They also have 8 channels to choose from, making them more versatile. The only thing I don't like about CyberSync is they rely on watch batteries, which tend to stop working under cold temperatures lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. These watch batteries also don't last as long and are not rechargeable (PW's use 2 AA batteries).
Each of these choices have many additional options to choose from. PocketWizard has the MultiMax, which is a transmitter unit capable of controlling up to four independent sets of PocketWizard receivers at once. CyberSync has the CyberCommander, a unit you can attach to your camera and not only control different receivers, but also control strobe settings (only works with White Lightning and Alien Bees).
When it comes down to it, if you already have or are thinking about buying White Lighting or Alien Bees, get CyberSync. If you plan to shoot in public spaces, sports, or events where other photographers may abound, get PocketWizard with a custom RF frequency.
The weak link I found is the cable that goes from the receiver to the flash PC port. The connection on the cable that comes with the cybersyncs isn't very tight. I solved this by buying screwlock cables from Flashzebra. They work great.
I was shooting NCAA sports for UNC Wilmington. The six strobes they had installed in the coliseum for basketball were triggered by CyberSync. However, they only had two CyberSync transmitters.
I tried to tie Pocket Wizards into the system by using a Pocket Wizard to fire a remote camera that in turn fired the CyberSyncs. In theory, that should have meant all cameras and strobes fire at once.
However, Paul C. Buff built an inherent delay in CyberSyncs of 0.015 seconds, which was just enough to completely screw everything up.
The moral of the story: when you start buying remotes, you must buy all the same brand. Mixing will never work.