For those that are considering radio flash triggers. FlashWaves

[MikePerham]

Originally Posted by Peter Zack

...As for firing the flashes on different frequencies on the transmitter. Yes it will work. You just have to remember which flash is on which setting. If you then want to fire them at the same time together, you would have to go to each receiver and change the receiving frequency to the same setting on all. There is no button or setting on the transmitter to fire all frequencies simultaneously.

Too bad there is not a master channel ...like the Bowens for instance. I guess it's easier just to leave them all on the same channel and just switch on the individutal receiver to take a reading, then off and on to the next.

Again, thanks for your input. ...Mike.

[vievetrick]

Read this thread. Sorry just interested but have to read at home. Buying umbrellas, and stands and interested in triggers

[Mike Cash]

I got an e-mail today wanting to make sure I was going to be on hand to shoot my dancing girls' annual recital November 8th. That is the event I was talking about I have to have some reliable radio triggers for. I've been looking forward to shooting this again since last November.

I had hoped to pick up a Tamron 28-75 to cover the event, but finances aren't going to allow that. Then I figured I did alright with Takumars last year....I can do it with Takumars again this year. Since I also upgraded from the K100D to the K20D since then the extra resolution will let me get by with going with a wider lens most of the time and cropping a bit to make up for the lack of a zoom.

One last check on the Radiopopper Jr. status, a perfunctory curse at having missed almost a year of strobist shooting due to their false promises, and then click I pulled the trigger on the Flash Waves.

Thanks for the info, Peter.

[soccerjoe5]

I use flashwaves too and they're fantastic. Great price and great performance, reliability, range and build quality.

[vievetrick]

way stupid question but I will ask. These work with a regular flash like say a 540? Can someone post a shot of them on a flash and set up? Thanks

[Peter Zack]

Pat these will work with any flash as long as it has a single hotshoe pin or a PC socket. I use the triggers with a pair of AF400T's and there's no hot shoe on that flash. So I just plug in the PC cord. With a 4P I can trigger 2 400's with one receiver..

I've used them on Vivitar, sunpack and Minolta flashes and some were 30+ years old.

[Peter Zack]

Oh I missed the second half of your question. If you go to the web site I posted earlier in the thread. You'll see a picture of the triggers. The top has a standard hot shoe with a single hot pin. On the sides are the PC sockets for various types.. So it's no different than mounting the flash on the top of the camera. The bottom has a standard tripod metal screw mount. Used on a lightstand screw or any tripod with a 1/4" thread. In the box is the G-1 part (see the picture) and that can screw into the receiver base for mounting on any hot shoe or umbrella stand .

I'd take some better pictures of it for you but the gear is packed in the van for an early morning shoot. These are a couple from a wedding I did earlier in the year and I (heavily) cropped these out for you to see the gear.



The 360 is on the umbrella stand with the receiver under the flash. The transmitter is on the K10D's hot shoe. It's 1/4" thick and about 1" square.

Yes that's an old Pentax Hot shoe grip on the camera. I have 2 of them and use them to get the flash off the camera with a 5P cable. Works great and nice and solid.

[vievetrick]

Thanks Peter. What size umbrella is that? I just bought this set up:

Bogen / Manfrotto
001B Nano Light Stand with Retractable Legs (Black) - 6' (1.8m)
MFR #001B • B&H #BO001B

Impact
Umbrella Bracket with Swivel Mount and Flash Shoe
MFR #3117 • B&H #IMBSM

Photoflex
Umbrella with Adjustable Frame - White with Black Backing - 30"
MFR #UM-ADW30 • B&H #PHU30W

So I am looking to add some triggers. I have 540 and Sigma 500 that needs to be rechipped but also thought why not get triggers and not worry. I am worried the 540 will not work wireless if it is behind me on a stand there for the need for trigger. anyone want to chime in to help me with tips or pointers. There are lots of threads I am reading and have been to the Storbist but I would rather here about equipement I have specific. K10 - 540 and sigma 500 super.

[Peter Zack]

The White umbrella is a 32" shoot through (acts like a softbox but slightly softer light). I also use a 40" solid white (black backing) main umbrella with this setup and 1 or 2 rear lights for hairlight (snoot) and backdrop light. All fired with triggers. If I want a harder light I use a silver refective umbrella as the main light.
Most of the stuff is Smith-Victor.

The 540 works well on the Pentax wireless system but the range is limited and it's basically a line of sight system. Great for a quick and basic setup or macros. For more advanced work it's not the way to go.

So there's no need to rechip the Sigma. Use it on wireless and the same for the 540. put both flashes in manual and the camera as well. You can either get a flash meter or chimp a couple of shots with the setup to get the correct exposure. Do it enough and you will be pretty good at guessing the exposures. If it's a fairly standard 'studio setup' you'll get the correct exposure and not have to change it.

You're almost set to go and just need the triggers. It's really quite simple once you try it the first time. I can't really suggest much more than this. Every other consideration is how much output you want on a shot and where you want the lights positioned to acheive a different effect. But those are not equipment specific issues. You can shoot well with one light or 4+. It just depends on what you are trying to get.

[vievetrick]

Thanks Peter. So I want to make sure I am clear. If I don't want to rechip the sigma I can just use the triggers. Unless you are saying I can use the sigma with the 540 wirelessly (NO TRIGGERS) with out the rechip? I had asked this before and never got the answer. My Sigma is one that I have asked Sigma if it can be rechipped and they said sure send it. Thanks again for all your help.

[Genes Pentax]

Hey Peter,

This is a good thread. I haven't read it all till now. JCSullivan got pissed of at me for some reason, but at the same time mentioned the triggers. I guess he was referring to your thread.

Anyhow, I haven't used Flashwaves nearly as much as you have, though I think I've had it for longer. But it's good to know that it's working out well under heavy professional usage.

Just to add to couple of points you made:
1. Daisy chaining. I tried it and it works quite well. But I think the max sync speed would be reduced the more you daisy chain. Since my ist D has max sync speed of 1/125 (on manual mode), I couldn't find out what the max sync speed is when daisy chained, but I'd think it'd be at least 1/180s. Good enough for Pentax.

2. Use as wireless shutter release. Ditto on that as well. Though Flashwaves won't control the AF function, the fact that it can be used that way makes life so much simpler. Besides, when doing portraits, AF isn't needed anyway.

3. The G-1 screw-to-hot-shoe mount thinggy. I see the way you use it, but because it's made of plastic, I'm not sure whether you want to use that to mount your receiver and flash to a light stand. It just might break and crash your flash. For something light as AF 360, I guess it might be ok, but I wouldn't want to take the risk with heavier flash.


Finally, I mounted an antenna on the trigger. It was much simpler than I expected. The hardest part was finding the right antenna. Because the trigger was so small, there wasn't much room there. So, I bought an extra antenna that goes on the receiver. Once I figured out how to mount it, it was a breeze. Now, Flashwaves can fire from 100 yards. I haven't tested the max distance yet. But it worked from one end of a football field to the other.

Gene

[Peter Zack]

Originally Posted by vievetrick

Thanks Peter. So I want to make sure I am clear. If I don't want to rechip the sigma I can just use the triggers. Unless you are saying I can use the sigma with the 540 wirelessly (NO TRIGGERS) with out the rechip? I had asked this before and never got the answer. My Sigma is one that I have asked Sigma if it can be rechipped and they said sure send it. Thanks again for all your help.

Sorry for taking so long to answer Pat (I'llness in the family) That's correct. No rechipping required when using the triggers. Pop the flash(es) on and fire till the batteries die. If you want to use the camera's wireless system without triggers, you have to rechip the Sigma. The 540 of course will work wireless off the camera without any mods.

So to summarize. To use the Sigma directly off the camera it needs rechipping.
With triggers you can use it as it is and it will never need rechipping.
The 540 is fine as it is either way.

[Peter Zack]

Originally Posted by Genes Pentax

Hey Peter,

This is a good thread. I haven't read it all till now. JCSullivan got pissed of at me for some reason, but at the same time mentioned the triggers. I guess he was referring to your thread.

Anyhow, I haven't used Flashwaves nearly as much as you have, though I think I've had it for longer. But it's good to know that it's working out well under heavy professional usage.

Just to add to couple of points you made:
1. Daisy chaining. I tried it and it works quite well. But I think the max sync speed would be reduced the more you daisy chain. Since my ist D has max sync speed of 1/125 (on manual mode), I couldn't find out what the max sync speed is when daisy chained, but I'd think it'd be at least 1/180s. Good enough for Pentax.

2. Use as wireless shutter release. Ditto on that as well. Though Flashwaves won't control the AF function, the fact that it can be used that way makes life so much simpler. Besides, when doing portraits, AF isn't needed anyway.

3. The G-1 screw-to-hot-shoe mount thinggy. I see the way you use it, but because it's made of plastic, I'm not sure whether you want to use that to mount your receiver and flash to a light stand. It just might break and crash your flash. For something light as AF 360, I guess it might be ok, but I wouldn't want to take the risk with heavier flash.


Finally, I mounted an antenna on the trigger. It was much simpler than I expected. The hardest part was finding the right antenna. Because the trigger was so small, there wasn't much room there. So, I bought an extra antenna that goes on the receiver. Once I figured out how to mount it, it was a breeze. Now, Flashwaves can fire from 100 yards. I haven't tested the max distance yet. But it worked from one end of a football field to the other.

Gene

Gene, Did you order the antenna from the same source? Did you take any pictures of your mod?

[Genes Pentax]

Originally Posted by Peter Zack

Gene, Did you order the antenna from the same source? Did you take any pictures of your mod?

I did. I think I paid $10 for it and had it shipped with extra trigger and receiver I bought.

Here's what the transmitter looks like with the antenna. It actually feels quite sturdy.

I'll try to post a detailed explanation on how I did it, but it was pretty simple. Requires a screw driver, solder, and drill. Once I figured out where I want the antenna, actual work takes only about 15 minutes.



Click here for picture of inside of the transmitter and where the antenna was soldered.

Gene

[vievetrick]

once I save a few bucks or get bored with my Cactus V2s (still waiting for them) I think I will be getting these.