Pocket Wizards
...constantly checking the UPS tracking site, even though it has said the same since I got up this morning..."Out for Delivery." Like a kid waiting for Santa...the UPS man is my Santa. He is bringing me some toys that I have been needing for a while now.
Pocket Wizards
Pocket Wizards are wireless radio transmitters/receivers. Nature and wildlife photographers use them to fire the camera wirelessly, sitting a safe distance away. Wedding, and portrait photographers use them to trigger an off camera flash.
I am a really, really big fan of using off camera flash. You will rarely ever see a flash on my hot shoe, and if their is, its being used as fill. Off camera flash creates a world of opportunity; not to mention the depth, and texture that appear when lit from different angles.
There are many other options to trigger your flash off camera. I would go into detail, however Davd Hobby does, a rather superior job in this arena. I highly recommend you visit his blog;
Strobist
I tested the little bugars today. I wanted to see its range of operability. The company advertises a range of 1600 feet. Today, I got no where near 1600 feet, however it did fire every time I wanted it to within a certain distance. This is the main reason I bought them.
My only grip is that Canon didnt stick a PC port on the 580EX, so you have to buy an adapter that runs from the hotshoe of the flash, to the Pocket Wizard. You can get them for about $40 here.
At $200 a pop...they are well worth every penny. You'll need one for each flash, and one for your camera. The ones I got, operate as Transceivers...meaning, they will automatically detect sending, or receiving. Pretty cool huh?
To let you know, you lose all TTL control with Pocket Wizards. This is not a problem for me, as I operate my strobes on manual. However, for those of you who rely on Canons TTL, then your screwed out of luck.
You have to improvise a way to attach the Pocket Wizard to the flash. They include a small piece of industrial strength Velcro, however I opted for a piece the same size as the battery compartment door. The PW and flash doors are the same size!
Despite the cost, these babies rock! Now I just need a 3rd for the other strobe!
...and its always fun to remind your assistant that the little setup that he is holding is worth $750! So don't drop my shit stuff Chris!
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