Cactus V4

Class A · 07-15-2009, 03:22 PM

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Originally posted by vizjerei

Just received the Cactus V4 ( yes, I shipped to my office ) just test the receiver triggered around the department so should works fine. will do better test when home

Looking forward to hearing more from you. I'd be interested to learn whether there is actually a minimum distance one should keep between the transmitter and the receivers in order to avoid misfiring. Could be relevant when you put a flash with a trigger voltage that is unsafe for the camera on an L-bracket and want to trigger it with a receiver. Note that some people reported that sometimes the batteries included are rather flat and need replacing for reliable operation.

panoguy · 07-15-2009, 03:26 PM

Originally posted by Class A

Just wanted to say that I don't think you are a "brainiac".

My mommy would be heartbroken.

vizjerei · 07-16-2009, 12:09 PM

Actually the receiver get the signal even the transmitter is just right in front of it, so i think the Youtube guy really got some bad receiver. I get it to work at 1/180sec sync in my room.

Update, got it working at 1/180sec sync across the house.

jboyde · 07-17-2009, 09:23 AM

I got my V4s in last week and I really like how they work. Also, it looks like the power switches on the receivers aren't blocked by the bottom of the flash, which is what I've heard people say when they first came out.

Thing is, when I use my Sigma 530DG ST flash I can't go past 1/125 without getting a black bar on the bottom or right (depending on orientation) of the picture. I have to see if it'll happen with my Pentax 360 flash.

jezza323 · 07-20-2009, 01:45 PM

sounds like sync speed, try lowering your shutter speed

**EsBee** · 07-24-2009, 09:49 PM

Just tested two sets of Cactus v4 on Pentax K20D, *ist DS and Nikon D300. Pentax didn't send sync signal at 1/200 or faster. However the D300 consistently fired them at up to 1/500, and over a distance of approximately 80+ feet. The v4s also did a fine job during out-of-sight tests at these distances.

Two transmitters and 4 receivers were tested with K20D, *ist DS and Nikon D300 using Pentax 360, 540, older Pentax 400 and Nikon SB800. Not a single misfire in about at least a couple of hundred shots, save for when the Ks refused to work with shutter speeds at 1/200 or faster. Tests included both indoors and outdoors, and used the cheapo AAA batteries shipped with the receivers.

TDN · 07-28-2009, 09:44 PM

Originally posted by jboyde

Thing is, when I use my Sigma 530DG ST flash I can't go past 1/125 without getting a black bar on the bottom or right (depending on orientation) of the picture. I have to see if it'll happen with my Pentax 360 flash.

I have the exact same thing on my K10D with 1/160 shutter speed with the V2s triggers.
With 1/180 there is no problem though.
So I think it has something to do with the 1/3 EV steps instead of 1/2 EV steps setting on the K10D...

Tom

vizjerei · 07-31-2009, 11:12 AM

Just order 2 more receivers

let see how they do.

systemA · 07-31-2009, 02:04 PM

I pulled the trigger on RF-602:

RF-602 Wireless Shutter Release for Canon 1000D 450D - eBay (item 180382624304 end time Aug-13-09 15:02:00 PDT)

Supposedly they work in the 2.4ghz frequency range and the initial reaction from the Strobist group on flickr is fantastic. Will report back when I receive them!

Class A · 08-01-2009, 05:42 AM

Originally posted by systemA

I pulled the trigger on RF-602

What flash trigger voltage range do they support? Did a quick search but to no avail.

mi2nc · 08-01-2009, 02:38 PM

I have the old version of the Cactus (transmitter and v2s pt-04 receiver). I cant seem to get it to flash. I changed the battery on the receiver. I changed the code switches. Nothing. The red LED flashes when I press the Test button. Nothing. Is there a specific way I need to set the flash up? I have tried Manual and "A" mode. NOTHING. Anyone have ideas to help?

Class A · 08-01-2009, 05:02 PM

Originally posted by mi2nc

Anyone have ideas to help?

I'd try at least one of the following:

trigger the flash manually (normally they have a button for this)
try the flash on a camera (for which it is safe to use)
try another flash on the Cactus receiver

This should sort out the culprit.

mi2nc · 08-02-2009, 07:13 PM

I figured out the problem. Whan I put the battery cover on the receiver something must be shorting out as it doesn't with the cover on, but works like a gem with it off. Anyone have ideas how to fix this?

GerryL · 08-08-2009, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by mi2nc

I figured out the problem. Whan I put the battery cover on the receiver something must be shorting out as it doesn't with the cover on, but works like a gem with it off. Anyone have ideas how to fix this?

..or something might be getting disconnected as the cover lodges it out off connection?
Put the cover on and off slowly and see what it is hitting.
If it is hitting a wire, then try to move that wire with your finger with the cover off while testing it.
..or a transistor or a diode is being dislodged out off connection too?
Try to peep inside as you put the cover on and see what it is actually hitting and maybe depressing.

mi2nc · 08-08-2009, 05:36 PM

Their tech support had me bend the contact so that it would make contact after I put the cover on. It works fine now.

07-16-2009, 12:09 PM	#48
vizjerei Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,418	Actually the receiver get the signal even the transmitter is just right in front of it, so i think the Youtube guy really got some bad receiver. I get it to work at 1/180sec sync in my room. Update, got it working at 1/180sec sync across the house. Last edited by vizjerei; 07-20-2009 at 07:00 AM.

08-01-2009, 05:02 PM	#57
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by mi2nc Anyone have ideas to help? I'd try at least one of the following: trigger the flash manually (normally they have a button for this) try the flash on a camera (for which it is safe to use) try another flash on the Cactus receiver This should sort out the culprit.

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07-15-2009, 03:22 PM	#46
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Originally posted by vizjerei Just received the Cactus V4 ( yes, I shipped to my office ) just test the receiver triggered around the department so should works fine. will do better test when home Looking forward to hearing more from you. I'd be interested to learn whether there is actually a minimum distance one should keep between the transmitter and the receivers in order to avoid misfiring. Could be relevant when you put a flash with a trigger voltage that is unsafe for the camera on an L-bracket and want to trigger it with a receiver. Note that some people reported that sometimes the batteries included are rather flat and need replacing for reliable operation.

07-15-2009, 03:26 PM	#47
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Originally posted by Class A Just wanted to say that I don't think you are a "brainiac". My mommy would be heartbroken.

07-17-2009, 09:23 AM	#49
jboyde Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New York Posts: 328	I got my V4s in last week and I really like how they work. Also, it looks like the power switches on the receivers aren't blocked by the bottom of the flash, which is what I've heard people say when they first came out. Thing is, when I use my Sigma 530DG ST flash I can't go past 1/125 without getting a black bar on the bottom or right (depending on orientation) of the picture. I have to see if it'll happen with my Pentax 360 flash.

07-20-2009, 01:45 PM	#50
jezza323 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,421	sounds like sync speed, try lowering your shutter speed

07-24-2009, 09:49 PM	#51
EsBee Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: National Capital Region Posts: 739	Just tested two sets of Cactus v4 on Pentax K20D, ist DS and Nikon D300. Pentax didn't send sync signal at 1/200 or faster. However the D300 consistently fired them at up to 1/500, and over a distance of approximately 80+ feet. The v4s also did a fine job during out-of-sight tests at these distances. Two transmitters and 4 receivers were tested with K20D, ist DS and Nikon D300 using Pentax 360, 540, older Pentax 400 and Nikon SB800. Not a single misfire in about at least a couple of hundred shots, save for when the Ks refused to work with shutter speeds at 1/200 or faster. Tests included both indoors and outdoors, and used the cheapo AAA batteries shipped with the receivers.

07-28-2009, 09:44 PM	#52
TDN Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Gallery Posts: 96	Originally posted by jboyde Thing is, when I use my Sigma 530DG ST flash I can't go past 1/125 without getting a black bar on the bottom or right (depending on orientation) of the picture. I have to see if it'll happen with my Pentax 360 flash. I have the exact same thing on my K10D with 1/160 shutter speed with the V2s triggers. With 1/180 there is no problem though. So I think it has something to do with the 1/3 EV steps instead of 1/2 EV steps setting on the K10D... Tom

07-31-2009, 11:12 AM	#53
vizjerei Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,418	Just order 2 more receivers let see how they do.

07-31-2009, 02:04 PM	#54
systemA Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York, NY Posts: 385	I pulled the trigger on RF-602: RF-602 Wireless Shutter Release for Canon 1000D 450D - eBay (item 180382624304 end time Aug-13-09 15:02:00 PDT) Supposedly they work in the 2.4ghz frequency range and the initial reaction from the Strobist group on flickr is fantastic. Will report back when I receive them!

08-01-2009, 05:42 AM	#55
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by systemA I pulled the trigger on RF-602 What flash trigger voltage range do they support? Did a quick search but to no avail.

08-01-2009, 02:38 PM	#56
mi2nc Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NC Posts: 147	I have the old version of the Cactus (transmitter and v2s pt-04 receiver). I cant seem to get it to flash. I changed the battery on the receiver. I changed the code switches. Nothing. The red LED flashes when I press the Test button. Nothing. Is there a specific way I need to set the flash up? I have tried Manual and "A" mode. NOTHING. Anyone have ideas to help?

08-02-2009, 07:13 PM	#58
mi2nc Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NC Posts: 147	I figured out the problem. Whan I put the battery cover on the receiver something must be shorting out as it doesn't with the cover on, but works like a gem with it off. Anyone have ideas how to fix this?

08-08-2009, 02:48 PM	#59
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Originally posted by mi2nc I figured out the problem. Whan I put the battery cover on the receiver something must be shorting out as it doesn't with the cover on, but works like a gem with it off. Anyone have ideas how to fix this? ..or something might be getting disconnected as the cover lodges it out off connection? Put the cover on and off slowly and see what it is hitting. If it is hitting a wire, then try to move that wire with your finger with the cover off while testing it. ..or a transistor or a diode is being dislodged out off connection too? Try to peep inside as you put the cover on and see what it is actually hitting and maybe depressing.

08-08-2009, 05:36 PM	#60
mi2nc Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NC Posts: 147	Their tech support had me bend the contact so that it would make contact after I put the cover on. It works fine now.