where to buy Wireless Flash transmitter and receivers

[makario]

Hi,

I am looking to purchase the Gadget Infinity v2 transmitter and receivers and was wondering if there is any recommended place for me to pick em up online/brick-n-mortar. Cant afford/justify the pocket wizards yet, hence going for the cheaper option.

I am also looking for a wireless camera remote for a canon 350D.

Cheers
Mak

[PiroStitch]

Have a look on ebay for the gadget infinity triggers Mind you, even if you don't go for the pocket wizards, it might be worthwhile having a look at the elinchrom skyports, bowens pulsars or the quantum freewire units.

[mattyjacobs]

You're a canon user - are your flashes canon flashes?

you can pick up the ST-E2 quite cheaply, from a shop/website in Perth. I posted about it somewhere in the bargains section.

[adam]

I see you are using 430E
Here's the post matty was talking about: http://dslrusers.net/viewtopic.php?t=27686

The GI triggers, they're just off ebay aren't they?
If you don't mind spending a little more (but less than PW) you could give Elinchrom skyports a go, but for the 430EX, since it has no PC sync connection, you may need to buy a hotshoe -> pc sync, which means spending more.
If you don't mind waiting a bit more, and spending a bit more, this radiopopper looks GOOD! http://www.radiopopper.com/
Wireless ETTL! At the moment if you want wireless ETTL, it's only with a Canon flash as master, or with the ST-E2, but this does it too.. and its a radio trigger

[makario]

I have 2 flashes
1. Canon 430 EX
2. Adroma - a really old flash that I inherited.

I plan on buying a 580ex somewhere down the track, but for the moment the above 2 will have to do. BTW did I mention I am reading the strobist blog Lighting 102, its really good for someone like me who is pretty new to this space.

I will do a bit of research on elinchrom skyports, bowens pulsars, quantum freewire units and radiopopper.

Thanks everyone.

[PiroStitch]

Mak,

Also consider that the advantage of using a 3rd party wireless unit with a pc sync socket allows you to basically buy any other flash on the market including cheaper, 2nd hand flashes like the Vivitar, Metz, Sunpak.

The upgrade path will be much easier as well if you end up getting studio strobes. Once you buy the strobe, plug in the wireless unit and away you go

[jamesw]

jesus christ, those radio poppers, they are revolutionary. they are tempting.

i'd love to be able to use ITTL with radio as the trigger, it'd simplify my shooting and shorten my setup times considerably. plus, you can get that lovely high fp speed sync

but then again i'd have to buy more triggers (they are only $40 more expensive than pocketwizard plus IIs... but then again, thats still US$225)

and then i'd have to start investing into nikon flashes... and the max power of an sb800 just is not enough...

[Wocka]

I have the Gadget Infinity wireless transmitters, I have used them a few times and found them to be fine. See my review here http://www.dslrusers.net/viewtopic.php?t=22156&highlight=.

One thing to remember is these are "Radio Transmitters" and could be better than the Canon ST-E2 if that you don't need line of sight. So you can potentially place your flash around a corner for a specific lighting effect. The ST-E2 are infrared based and need line of sight to fire the slave.

I have been on Stobist myself ( I just need time to practice the techniques ) and I'm now thinking of getting the Off Camera Cable and hacking it like many do to make it longer for off camera work. That way you get ETTL. I think the going rate for these cables are about $60 ish of Ebay.

You just need to decide which way you want to set-up and for the type of shooting you will be doing. I haven't used my triggers in any special way that a longer Off Camera Cord couldn't have worked, hence now I'm thinking of going down this path as I would get ETTL. Most times for Studio work, you’re on the lookout for cables anyway on the floor. Plus the fact you won't have to worry about your batteries in the GI receivers, although another hack is to make them run off AA batteries. I have bought the parts, I just haven’t soldered them up yet.

Cheers

[makario]

since I already have dis-similar flashes hence I was looking at the GI solution rather than a canon solution. I also do not want to be restricted by Line of sight.

I just read Wocka's review and I must say its excellent. Since I am just dabbling in this area dont want to outlay too much just yet. Saving up to buy better lenses

Thanks once again for your help.

Cheers
Mak

[jamesw]

keep in mind the GI units do randomly flash at signs of electronic interference. cars driving past, planes overhead, switching lights on or off, other people with different triggers (my PWs can trigger the GI triggers intermittently) can all make your flashes go off.

they also become far less reliable once you start stretching away from them, say more than 5 meters when outside and away from walls. inside they do a little better. sure, they will fire at say 20m, but not every single time. in my line of photography, i need to get the shot every time...

it doesnt sound like that much of a problem, but it affects recharge times etc... as well as being annoying.

i had GI triggers, then upgraded to PWs. GI's are a great way to 'dabble' in off camera flash, but once you start to use them more than 'every now and then' it does become frustrating and you will start to see the worth in upgrading to PWs rather than upgrading lenses.

my use of flash is reasonably extensive, and as long as it remains so, i will not be saying goodbye to my PWs anytime soon, they are too good.

[PiroStitch]

how soon were you thinking of getting them? I'm looking at getting a more reliable unit sometime within the next month or so (before the melbourne workshop) and will be looking at offloading the GI units.

[Grev]

Ummm... didn't read everything, but does Microsync transmitter do the job?

[adam]

Ummm... didn't read everything, but does Microsync transmitter do the job?

You'd need the receiver as well
Yes, it would work with the appropriate adaptor ( http://www.microsyncdigital.com/synccords.cfm#vmc112 )

and I guess it does have the size advantage!