Comments on: 123 — Entry Level Camera Trigger Showdown — PocketWizard versus Cactus

By: Mike Bons

Mike Bons — Sat, 09 Nov 2013 00:52:14 +0000

For anyone wanting to get a pair of triggers for around the $100 mark, and you shoot Nikon or Canon, I would also highly suggest checking out the Yongnuo 622's. I have had these for a couple months now and absolutely love them especially when using them on some of my newer bodies like the Canon 6D and 7D where I have full flash control in-camera. The 622's support TTL, HSS, second curtain, you can add the on camera flash on top of the transmitter, they use AA batteries like my flashes. However, Like Jimmy mentioned with the Cactus triggers, I don't like the thumb screw locking mechanism on the 622's.

By: Lucy72

Lucy72 — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 15:06:30 +0000

Perfect timing on this Marco as I am ready to try this out and I am going to invest the $100 at the camera store on your recommendation.

By: Jimmy Brown (jumpinjimmyjava)

Jimmy Brown (jumpinjimmyjava) — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 23:53:46 +0000

Hey Marco. I really enjoyed your ” Entry Level Camera Trigger Showdown” podcast. I do own a pair of Cactus V5 triggers and I really enjoy using them. I paid somewhere around $70 or so for my set on sale. I do like the quality of these units and the fact that I can purchase additional single transceivers for somewhere around $40 or so. I purchased the V5 duo MAINLY because they take AAA batteries ( not the expensive and hard to find button type batteries!
I don’t like the thumb screw that secures the units to the camera. There is very little room to get your fingers between the knurled hold down knob and the camera. I also wish they came with some kind of a hanging cord like the PocketWizards have. I give the V5 triggers an 8.75 out of 10.
Happy shooting ? — jimmy

By: Darnell B

Darnell B — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 18:04:02 +0000

More gadgets to buy but this should be fun and educational.
Thanks Marko for another informative podcast.

By: Marko Kulik

Marko Kulik — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 13:22:26 +0000

Thx for the comment Tom. I really wanted this to be a quick uncomplicated podcast so for sure I left lots of things out.…(I haven’t any Olympus experiencebut Canon and Nikon TTL work in the way I’ve described (I should likely have mentioned that in the podcast though — my apologies).…even if your doesn’t work in a similar way I hope the general difference was clear enough.

In terms of slaves and sync wires — now that you mentioned them — Let’s talk about slaves and sync wires for a sec.

Although slaves and sync wires from camera to flash can do the same job, wires are simply a pain in the butt especially with multiple lights. Each Sync wire will cost you around 15 dollars so you are already into 30 dollars just for 2 lights and 45 bucks for 3 lights…and then there’s the ugly wires. Yes the wires will work with 100% reliability…but what if you want to place the light farther away than a 6 foot (standard wire). You cannot do it easily. You simply never see anyone on a professional job (wedding, events, studio) using them.…because they are a hassle and not versatile.

Slaves — do not give 100% reliability and so they cannot even compete at the same poker table against the PW or the Cactus V.. Try using one in a large spaces, outdoors, or when the slave angle is slightly off from where it needs to be. You will never get 100% reliability. I used them for a couple of years when i started out. Each slave will cost 15 to 50 dollars — so just buying 2 of them you are at 30–100 dollars. The flash of any other photographer can set off that slave as you know — so slaves too (not assistants are something that you never see pros using at events.

I’m still firm on my summary The Cactus at 100 dollars for 2 of them whips these 2 alternatives for value, reliability, and ease of use. The PW at 100. each is still a better alternative which is why they are the industry standard (brand wise)…and they have come way down in price for entry level models.

Both the Cactus and PW offer 100% reliability and versatility. If you are still shooting regularly (If you shoot rarely no big deal I guess…but still frustrating comparatively) and have the budget, pick up 2–4 cactuses for 100–200. Try them and return them if you don’t like them.….. trust me — you won’t want to return them.

By: tOM, Ottawa

tOM, Ottawa — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 00:12:34 +0000

I ? your podcasts. But here I suggest you also cover the even cheaper alternatives — long wires & light sensitive slaves.

You covered TTL flash a little didactically — my Olympus OM2,3, and 4 film cameras measured the light DURING the exposure — not in a preflash, and turned the flash units off when enough light had arrived — great for bouncing with a wide aperture. Then again, ALL exposures could be TTL, flash or no.