Low budget flash triggers?

luke_sheff · 02-21-2010, 04:29 AM

I guess this has been answered somewhere before but I'm new to using flash and when reading posts on here the technical talks gets ahead of me!

Anyway, I use the Pentax K20D and the Metz 58 AF-1. I am looking to buy some fairly cheap trigger/receivers as currently I do not have a high budget. I do also own Vivitar 285 HV Zoom Thyristor Auto flash unit from many years ago and would like to get this into use maybe? Some people recommend the Cactus triggers but I have read many negative reviews, then there are CTR-301's and RF-602's. I have read about problems with sync speeds but I don't understand a lot of this technical stuff!

Any advice or recommendations would be great!
Thanks,
Luke.

**firefly** · 02-21-2010, 06:29 AM

I got the cheaper than cheap jianisi triggers from an ebay seller... I forget who now. They are roughly equivalent in spec.

I had experienced the 'problems' of reception with these triggers, which was only due to weak batteries that they shipped with. Once the receivers and transmitter where given fresh batteries, I got full working line-of-sight up to 100 meters outside. I think as long as you have a rough line-of-sight to the receivers and the batteries are fully charged, you'll be quite happy with them.

I got the jianisi model because it took AAA instead of those hard to find type of batteries.

luke_sheff · 02-21-2010, 06:34 AM

Ah, thanks, I will take a look at these seen as everything works fine with yours. That is a good point about the batteries and I was considering this.

Thanks!

Class A · 02-21-2010, 12:25 PM

Originally posted by luke_sheff

Some people recommend the Cactus triggers but I have read many negative reviews, then there are CTR-301's and RF-602's.

Be careful about which version of the Cactus triggers people complain about. The V2(s) triggers had problems but I'm not aware of any problems with the V4 version (maybe there is someone who has difficulty in cold weather, but I haven't heard about this being a common problem).

The V4 have a lot going for them, in particular their compatibility with all flash trigger voltages from 0 to 300 Volts. The 1/180 sec sync speed of Pentax cameras is not a problem for these triggers.

kenyee · 02-21-2010, 07:24 PM

Originally posted by Class A

The V2(s) triggers had problems

FWIW, I had less problems w/ the V2s than the RF602s...sync'd at 1/180 for me consistently.
I'm on Radiopopper JrX's now and wouldn't go back though...remote power control of a flash on location speeds up shoots so much more

02-21-2010, 04:29 AM	#1
luke_sheff New Member	Low budget flash triggers? I guess this has been answered somewhere before but I'm new to using flash and when reading posts on here the technical talks gets ahead of me! Anyway, I use the Pentax K20D and the Metz 58 AF-1. I am looking to buy some fairly cheap trigger/receivers as currently I do not have a high budget. I do also own Vivitar 285 HV Zoom Thyristor Auto flash unit from many years ago and would like to get this into use maybe? Some people recommend the Cactus triggers but I have read many negative reviews, then there are CTR-301's and RF-602's. I have read about problems with sync speeds but I don't understand a lot of this technical stuff! Any advice or recommendations would be great! Thanks, Luke.

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02-21-2010, 06:29 AM	#2
firefly Site Supporter	I got the cheaper than cheap jianisi triggers from an ebay seller... I forget who now. They are roughly equivalent in spec. I had experienced the 'problems' of reception with these triggers, which was only due to weak batteries that they shipped with. Once the receivers and transmitter where given fresh batteries, I got full working line-of-sight up to 100 meters outside. I think as long as you have a rough line-of-sight to the receivers and the batteries are fully charged, you'll be quite happy with them. I got the jianisi model because it took AAA instead of those hard to find type of batteries.

02-21-2010, 06:34 AM	#3
luke_sheff New Member	Ah, thanks, I will take a look at these seen as everything works fine with yours. That is a good point about the batteries and I was considering this. Thanks!

02-21-2010, 12:25 PM	#4
Class A Pentaxian	Originally posted by luke_sheff Some people recommend the Cactus triggers but I have read many negative reviews, then there are CTR-301's and RF-602's. Be careful about which version of the Cactus triggers people complain about. The V2(s) triggers had problems but I'm not aware of any problems with the V4 version (maybe there is someone who has difficulty in cold weather, but I haven't heard about this being a common problem). The V4 have a lot going for them, in particular their compatibility with all flash trigger voltages from 0 to 300 Volts. The 1/180 sec sync speed of Pentax cameras is not a problem for these triggers.

02-21-2010, 07:24 PM	#5
kenyee Pentaxian	Originally posted by Class A The V2(s) triggers had problems FWIW, I had less problems w/ the V2s than the RF602s...sync'd at 1/180 for me consistently. I'm on Radiopopper JrX's now and wouldn't go back though...remote power control of a flash on location speeds up shoots so much more