optical shoe mount slave - NOT Wein

<p>Simple objective,<br>

I want to put my Vivitar 285HV on a light stand and have it fire when it 'sees' another flash fire.<br /> Will be using it for interior architecture.<br>

I have seen little units that have a built in sensor built into a hotshoe but not sure if it's what I need.<br /> Seems like it is.<br /> Is that a better solution than using that crummy little PC cord that Vivitar gives you?<br /> I've heard those connections are pretty unreliable and hit and miss.<br>

Also, I've been seeing nothing but bad reviews and experiences with Wein peanut units so I don't want to consider them.<br /> Can someone direct me to a unit that is more reliable and cheap (around $35 US)?<br>

Thanks, Bob</p>

<p>Good, fast, and cheap: Pick two.<br /><br />Consider spending another pizza or two's worth, and just going with moderately priced radio triggers, like Buff's Cybersynch units. That also allows you to bury your slaves behind furntire, around corners, etc., to provide backlighting or much more indirect light with much more reliability than <em>any</em> optical slave.</p>

<p>I got something like this http://vistek.ca/store/ProPhotoLightingComponents/214001/morris-co-ds1-digital-slave-trigger-w-hot-shoe-mount.aspx but off E-bay for about $5. I haven't had to use it extensively but it fires my Nikon SB600 fine, I just have to make sure that the flash is set not to auto sleep.</p>

<p>Yup...those cheap optical slaves off ebay have always worked for me. Very sensitive, never a misfire<br>

either...hopefully they work as well for you. Cheap...but surprisingly reliable.<br>

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/SKY-4-Optical-Slave-Trigger-for-Hot-Shoe-Flash-PC-Sync_W0QQitemZ320440532539QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Flash_Accessories?hash=item4a9bbe7e3b">http://cgi.ebay.com/SKY-4-Optical-Slave-Trigger-for-Hot-Shoe-Flash-PC-Sync_W0QQitemZ320440532539QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Flash_Accessories?hash=item4a9bbe7e3b</a></p>

<p> </p>

<p>Thanks guys,<br>

Yeah, the Cybersynch will be the 'one day' solution. I know it's the best.<br /> But I've got to work on the cheap for now. Midwest Photo also has the Cactus V4 now that are supposed to be much more reliable than the V2's and a transmitter and receiver combo is only around $50. But I think I'll give one of these little gizmo's a whirl - for the price.<br>

Thanks again,<br>

Bob</p>

<p>I just posted a similar question about firing my Nikon SB600 with White Lightnings. I got the Cybersync which is firing the monolights, but it won't optically trigger my SB600 (which is set on manual). I'm trying to figure out if I need the SU-4 for the SB600. Maybe the CyberSync will work with the Vivitar? But it definitely doesn't get the studio lights to optically trigger my flash.</p>