Shanny SN600FGZ P-TTL HSS Flash for $120?

richandfleur · 06-16-2018, 09:10 PM

No cheap HSS triggers, but basic triggers work ok.

lewvanbommel · 06-16-2018, 11:33 PM

Originally posted by richandfleur

No cheap HSS triggers, but basic triggers work ok.

Yeah I can’t seem to even get basic ones to work....

mcgregni · 06-17-2018, 12:12 AM

I've lost track of things on this one .... Has anyone got proof that the Cactus V6II triggers work with this Shanny model for off-camera HSS?

stub · 06-18-2018, 02:59 PM

I would also like to know the answer to this one.... And does the Cactus V6ii fire the Pentax AF540FGZ off camera, in P-TTL ? May have to finally get one (or 3) if it does and give this god forsaken TTL a go...

mcgregni · 06-18-2018, 03:14 PM

The Pentax 540 models are known to work with the V6II system, with both the multi-brand and "X-TTL" versions. Pschute uses this mix and reports good results, and there are others also. It's not an economic approach if you are starting out however, because of the need for receiver triggers also, but for those who already have one or two Pentax flashes then sure, a good way to go.

If the Shanny was known to work well also with the V6II system then that would be more cost effective, however for those who need new flashes as well I think the Cactus RF60x offers the most convenient and economic solution, with a single V6II as Tx.

**Kobie** · 06-18-2018, 03:47 PM

Originally posted by mcgregni

I've lost track of things on this one .... Has anyone got proof that the Cactus V6II triggers work with this Shanny model for off-camera HSS?

Yes, right here. Used it for a week straight when I borrowed my friends V6II's right after my Shanny arrived. Tested it against the Yongnuo 585EX and the Metz I believe it was the 50-Af 1 (the touch screen model, whichever that was). The Shanny worked just as reliably as the Metz in HSS but the Shanny had better overall exposure control. Obviously I couldn't use the Yongnuo in HSS. I also used the passthrough to fire HSS from the V6II mounted on camera to the Metz and Vice versa. Not one hiccup.

---------- Post added 06-18-18 at 06:51 PM ----------

Originally posted by lewvanbommel

Yeah I can’t seem to even get basic ones to work....

I use Commlite Comtrig G430-N triggers (NIkon version). For a basic trigger with channel and group control they work great and even wake the flash up while being off camera. Just no HSS or advanced features.

stub · 06-19-2018, 11:14 AM - **1 Like**

Thanks for the swift replies guys.. I already have TTL flash guns in Pentax and Shanny. I agree the Cactus trigger system becomes ridiculessly expensive.. So I bought the yongnuo YN560IV's and TX560 trigger. Though they arnt TTL and cant HSS

Andrzej Makuch · 06-22-2018, 02:53 AM

On Shanna's website there are only flashes for canon and nikon.
Shenzhen Shanny Photography Optical Equipment Co.,ltd
There are also radio triggers but it looks like they would only be to canon?
Shenzhen Shanny Photography Optical Equipment Co.,ltd
Is it possible that they also work with Pentax?

**Kobie** · 06-22-2018, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by Andrzej Makuch

On Shanna's website there are only flashes for canon and nikon.
Shenzhen Shanny Photography Optical Equipment Co.,ltd
There are also radio triggers but it looks like they would only be to canon?
Shenzhen Shanny Photography Optical Equipment Co.,ltd
Is it possible that they also work with Pentax?

Shanny is still in business!!! On their FB page they just announced a new flash for Canon/Nikon (go figure). I don't know how their protocol works on their triggers. If going into manual mode disables the pins for E-TTL/I-TTL then it should work on our bodies. However, if it doesn't disable the pins, I don't know what that would do to our Hotshoe. The other thing is that I'm not sure if it's a wireless radio system that only works with Shanny Flashes or if it would also work with Nikon/Canon flashes. Since there's no radio protocol for Pentax, none of the Shanny triggers would work for our system directly.

rawr · 06-22-2018, 02:44 PM

Originally posted by Andrzej Makuch

Is it possible that they also work with Pentax?

My guess is that the triggers might make the flash fire, but Pentax specific features (P-TTL etc) will not work.

Originally posted by Kobie

Since there's no radio protocol for Pentax, none of the Shanny triggers would work for our system directly.

On the subject of protocols, if you look at existing Pentax radio triggers like the Acon triggers, they don't do much more (it seems) than emulate a dumb hot-shoe extension cable, using WiFi as the data transport between camera hotshoe and flash. Just standard data networking tech at work, not fancy flash protocols. So if the P-TTL protocol hasn't been revised to include radio support, maybe that's not really the road-block for trigger makers.

**Kobie** · 06-29-2018, 06:25 PM

Originally posted by rawr

My guess is that the triggers might make the flash fire, but Pentax specific features (P-TTL etc) will not work.

On the subject of protocols, if you look at existing Pentax radio triggers like the Acon triggers, they don't do much more (it seems) than emulate a dumb hot-shoe extension cable, using WiFi as the data transport between camera hotshoe and flash. Just standard data networking tech at work, not fancy flash protocols. So if the P-TTL protocol hasn't been revised to include radio support, maybe that's not really the road-block for trigger makers.

That's not what I meant. I meant that Shanny's other flashes that have built in radio's won't receive Pentax specific instructions from any of their triggers because they are all either Nikon or Canon TTL protocols. There is no radio built into the SN600FGZ. I'm not even sure in Manual mode if the trigger would fire (does it disable the TTL pins?).
For example, If I mount my Comtrig G430 trigger (Nikon version) on my hotshoe and mount the flash onto the trigger, the Shanny will never fire. It only fires off camera with the Comtrig G430 receiver (flash will also wake up remotely).
However, if I mount my Vivitar 383 Series-1 P-TTL flash to the same trigger, it will actually fire. So again, it seems that however Shanny went about this, they did it their own special way. Probably why they also state that their system will not work with Yongnuo equipment. I can't recall specifically what equipment it was but I do recall them saying Yongnuo is not compatible and vice versa.

**Kobie** · 07-07-2018, 09:18 AM

Originally posted by Kobie

That's not what I meant. I meant that Shanny's other flashes that have built in radio's won't receive Pentax specific instructions from any of their triggers because they are all either Nikon or Canon TTL protocols. There is no radio built into the SN600FGZ. I'm not even sure in Manual mode if the trigger would fire (does it disable the TTL pins?).
For example, If I mount my Comtrig G430 trigger (Nikon version) on my hotshoe and mount the flash onto the trigger, the Shanny will never fire. It only fires off camera with the Comtrig G430 receiver (flash will also wake up remotely).
However, if I mount my Vivitar 383 Series-1 P-TTL flash to the same trigger, it will actually fire. So again, it seems that however Shanny went about this, they did it their own special way. Probably why they also state that their system will not work with Yongnuo equipment. I can't recall specifically what equipment it was but I do recall them saying Yongnuo is not compatible and vice versa.

I finally received confirmation from Shanny.
There are no plans to release a Pentax radio trigger. Booooooo!!!!!!!!
I'll see if they answer regarding use of their other triggers on Pentax bodies though.

richandfleur · 07-08-2018, 02:48 PM

Yep, I contacted them a while back and got the same response also.

Not sure what's so difficult about the Pentax PTTL HSS system, but it's not well supported in the 3rd party world.

**clackers** · 07-10-2018, 12:51 PM

Originally posted by richandfleur

Not sure what's so difficult about the Pentax PTTL HSS system,

Nothing.

Reverse engineering using an oscilloscope is exactly the same as E-TTL and I-TTL.

All three systems pretty much work the same way with controller and slaves, and have changed little over the years.

But Pentax market share is so small, why would a company bother with a production run of thousands for anyone but Canon and Nikon? You might add in Sony.

Fuji, Olympus and Panasonic owners have a similar lack of choices.

**Kobie** · 07-29-2018, 08:20 PM

Originally posted by mcgregni

I've lost track of things on this one .... Has anyone got proof that the Cactus V6II triggers work with this Shanny model for off-camera HSS?

My friend just dropped off his Cactus V6II transceivers so I'll be doing an off camera Shanny flash HSS video this week. Hopefully as early as tomorrow.

06-29-2018, 06:25 PM	#86
Kobie Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Bowmanville Photos: Albums Posts: 1,211	Originally posted by rawr My guess is that the triggers might make the flash fire, but Pentax specific features (P-TTL etc) will not work. On the subject of protocols, if you look at existing Pentax radio triggers like the Acon triggers, they don't do much more (it seems) than emulate a dumb hot-shoe extension cable, using WiFi as the data transport between camera hotshoe and flash. Just standard data networking tech at work, not fancy flash protocols. So if the P-TTL protocol hasn't been revised to include radio support, maybe that's not really the road-block for trigger makers. That's not what I meant. I meant that Shanny's other flashes that have built in radio's won't receive Pentax specific instructions from any of their triggers because they are all either Nikon or Canon TTL protocols. There is no radio built into the SN600FGZ. I'm not even sure in Manual mode if the trigger would fire (does it disable the TTL pins?). For example, If I mount my Comtrig G430 trigger (Nikon version) on my hotshoe and mount the flash onto the trigger, the Shanny will never fire. It only fires off camera with the Comtrig G430 receiver (flash will also wake up remotely). However, if I mount my Vivitar 383 Series-1 P-TTL flash to the same trigger, it will actually fire. So again, it seems that however Shanny went about this, they did it their own special way. Probably why they also state that their system will not work with Yongnuo equipment. I can't recall specifically what equipment it was but I do recall them saying Yongnuo is not compatible and vice versa. Last edited by Kobie; 07-06-2018 at 02:52 PM.

07-10-2018, 12:51 PM	#89
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by richandfleur Not sure what's so difficult about the Pentax PTTL HSS system, Nothing. Reverse engineering using an oscilloscope is exactly the same as E-TTL and I-TTL. All three systems pretty much work the same way with controller and slaves, and have changed little over the years. But Pentax market share is so small, why would a company bother with a production run of thousands for anyone but Canon and Nikon? You might add in Sony. Fuji, Olympus and Panasonic owners have a similar lack of choices. Last edited by clackers; 07-10-2018 at 12:59 PM.

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06-16-2018, 09:10 PM	#76
richandfleur Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand Photos: Albums Posts: 1,788	No cheap HSS triggers, but basic triggers work ok.

06-16-2018, 11:33 PM	#77
lewvanbommel Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Western Australia Posts: 50	Originally posted by richandfleur No cheap HSS triggers, but basic triggers work ok. Yeah I can’t seem to even get basic ones to work....

06-17-2018, 12:12 AM	#78
mcgregni Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Surrey, England Posts: 2,603	I've lost track of things on this one .... Has anyone got proof that the Cactus V6II triggers work with this Shanny model for off-camera HSS?

06-18-2018, 02:59 PM	#79
stub Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Manchester Photos: Gallery Posts: 227	I would also like to know the answer to this one.... And does the Cactus V6ii fire the Pentax AF540FGZ off camera, in P-TTL ? May have to finally get one (or 3) if it does and give this god forsaken TTL a go...

06-18-2018, 03:14 PM	#80
mcgregni Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Surrey, England Posts: 2,603	The Pentax 540 models are known to work with the V6II system, with both the multi-brand and "X-TTL" versions. Pschute uses this mix and reports good results, and there are others also. It's not an economic approach if you are starting out however, because of the need for receiver triggers also, but for those who already have one or two Pentax flashes then sure, a good way to go. If the Shanny was known to work well also with the V6II system then that would be more cost effective, however for those who need new flashes as well I think the Cactus RF60x offers the most convenient and economic solution, with a single V6II as Tx.

06-18-2018, 03:47 PM	#81
Kobie Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Bowmanville Photos: Albums Posts: 1,211	Originally posted by mcgregni I've lost track of things on this one .... Has anyone got proof that the Cactus V6II triggers work with this Shanny model for off-camera HSS? Yes, right here. Used it for a week straight when I borrowed my friends V6II's right after my Shanny arrived. Tested it against the Yongnuo 585EX and the Metz I believe it was the 50-Af 1 (the touch screen model, whichever that was). The Shanny worked just as reliably as the Metz in HSS but the Shanny had better overall exposure control. Obviously I couldn't use the Yongnuo in HSS. I also used the passthrough to fire HSS from the V6II mounted on camera to the Metz and Vice versa. Not one hiccup. ---------- Post added 06-18-18 at 06:51 PM ---------- Originally posted by lewvanbommel Yeah I can’t seem to even get basic ones to work.... I use Commlite Comtrig G430-N triggers (NIkon version). For a basic trigger with channel and group control they work great and even wake the flash up while being off camera. Just no HSS or advanced features.

06-19-2018, 11:14 AM - 1 Like	#82
stub Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Manchester Photos: Gallery Posts: 227	Thanks for the swift replies guys.. I already have TTL flash guns in Pentax and Shanny. I agree the Cactus trigger system becomes ridiculessly expensive.. So I bought the yongnuo YN560IV's and TX560 trigger. Though they arnt TTL and cant HSS

06-22-2018, 02:53 AM	#83
Andrzej Makuch Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: KRAKOW Photos: Gallery Posts: 65	On Shanna's website there are only flashes for canon and nikon. Shenzhen Shanny Photography Optical Equipment Co.,ltd There are also radio triggers but it looks like they would only be to canon? Shenzhen Shanny Photography Optical Equipment Co.,ltd Is it possible that they also work with Pentax?

06-22-2018, 11:00 AM	#84
Kobie Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Bowmanville Photos: Albums Posts: 1,211	Originally posted by Andrzej Makuch On Shanna's website there are only flashes for canon and nikon. Shenzhen Shanny Photography Optical Equipment Co.,ltd There are also radio triggers but it looks like they would only be to canon? Shenzhen Shanny Photography Optical Equipment Co.,ltd Is it possible that they also work with Pentax? Shanny is still in business!!! On their FB page they just announced a new flash for Canon/Nikon (go figure). I don't know how their protocol works on their triggers. If going into manual mode disables the pins for E-TTL/I-TTL then it should work on our bodies. However, if it doesn't disable the pins, I don't know what that would do to our Hotshoe. The other thing is that I'm not sure if it's a wireless radio system that only works with Shanny Flashes or if it would also work with Nikon/Canon flashes. Since there's no radio protocol for Pentax, none of the Shanny triggers would work for our system directly.

06-22-2018, 02:44 PM	#85
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by Andrzej Makuch Is it possible that they also work with Pentax? My guess is that the triggers might make the flash fire, but Pentax specific features (P-TTL etc) will not work. Originally posted by Kobie Since there's no radio protocol for Pentax, none of the Shanny triggers would work for our system directly. On the subject of protocols, if you look at existing Pentax radio triggers like the Acon triggers, they don't do much more (it seems) than emulate a dumb hot-shoe extension cable, using WiFi as the data transport between camera hotshoe and flash. Just standard data networking tech at work, not fancy flash protocols. So if the P-TTL protocol hasn't been revised to include radio support, maybe that's not really the road-block for trigger makers.

07-07-2018, 09:18 AM	#87
Kobie Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Bowmanville Photos: Albums Posts: 1,211	Originally posted by Kobie That's not what I meant. I meant that Shanny's other flashes that have built in radio's won't receive Pentax specific instructions from any of their triggers because they are all either Nikon or Canon TTL protocols. There is no radio built into the SN600FGZ. I'm not even sure in Manual mode if the trigger would fire (does it disable the TTL pins?). For example, If I mount my Comtrig G430 trigger (Nikon version) on my hotshoe and mount the flash onto the trigger, the Shanny will never fire. It only fires off camera with the Comtrig G430 receiver (flash will also wake up remotely). However, if I mount my Vivitar 383 Series-1 P-TTL flash to the same trigger, it will actually fire. So again, it seems that however Shanny went about this, they did it their own special way. Probably why they also state that their system will not work with Yongnuo equipment. I can't recall specifically what equipment it was but I do recall them saying Yongnuo is not compatible and vice versa. I finally received confirmation from Shanny. There are no plans to release a Pentax radio trigger. Booooooo!!!!!!!! I'll see if they answer regarding use of their other triggers on Pentax bodies though.

07-08-2018, 02:48 PM	#88
richandfleur Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand Photos: Albums Posts: 1,788	Yep, I contacted them a while back and got the same response also. Not sure what's so difficult about the Pentax PTTL HSS system, but it's not well supported in the 3rd party world.

07-29-2018, 08:20 PM	#90
Kobie Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Bowmanville Photos: Albums Posts: 1,211	Originally posted by mcgregni I've lost track of things on this one .... Has anyone got proof that the Cactus V6II triggers work with this Shanny model for off-camera HSS? My friend just dropped off his Cactus V6II transceivers so I'll be doing an off camera Shanny flash HSS video this week. Hopefully as early as tomorrow.