bdp Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 Just wondering as I'm in the process of purchasing strobes (White- Lightning) if I should just let them trip via the built in optical slave, or put them on PocketWizards to make sure they fire properly. Usage would be for a studio setting and to bring to a reception for ancillary lighting. Thanks, Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picturesque Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 Always with proprietary slave systems unless you enjoy having guests trip your lights when at a reception. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick_w. Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 Bob, For a studio setting, the optical slave is fine. At a reception with many guests using their point-and-shoots you're strobes will light up like the 4th of July. Get the PWs and enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samantha_bender Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 PocketWizard all the way. Samantha Bender Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Ingold Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 Some of the P&S cameras use a rapid burst of flashes to help stop red-eye. If you use a photoelectric trigger with fast-cycling monolights, you may blow fuses in the power circuit or even your flash. A Pocket Wizard (or equivalent) is the only way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wedding-photography-denver Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 Pretty much what Edward I. said, unless using the Canon system with their ex flashes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografz Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 Pocket-Wizards for the reasons posted above, and the reason you stated yourself ... " or put them on Pocket-Wizards to make sure they fire properly." "Fire properly" are the operative words. Even the best optical slaves can fail to "see" the trigger flash if blocked from view at a distance. Just had it happen at a location shoot using Profoto Mono heads. Another plug for that specific brand is that more and more studio generators are featuring built in Pocket-Wizard receivers, and Sekonic meters can be purchased with built-in senders. Someday mono heads will also come with receivers built in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_schilling___chicago_ Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 It's nice to have the PocketWizards if you've got plenty of money to spend on equipment. You can get by in the sudio and at the receptions with the optical slaves, I have been now for 14 years. You do need to be aware of the guests flashes triggering your system but it isn't much more than a minor annoyance. You can also help limit this problem to some extent in deciding where you are going to place your backdrop in the venue. I think it may be more of a worthy investment if you plan to do some multiple light coverage at the church and the hall in your future, which is what I'm planning on. For now, the PocketWizards are on my "wishlist" but they're not at the top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografz Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 " ... to bring to a reception for ancillary lighting." I took that to mean lighting with-in the Reception Hall as opposed to shooting against a backdrop that you can locate away from guest P&S flash. Last time I tried an optical trigger at a reception I could hardly get in a shot ... and the strobes were popping off as soon as they recycled. But to each his or her own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_schilling___chicago_ Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 I just re-read your post and it appears that you're wanting to use the white-lightnings for ancillary lighting at the hall. I had assumed you were talking about using as portable studio lighting for backdrop portraits at the reception....oooops, nevermind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_schilling___chicago_ Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 Yeah Marc....we timed that just about right, huh? I agree, optical slaves around the venue isn't gonna be very practical. Seems like the white lightning units are a bit of an overkill for ancillary lighting though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lb- Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 "Someday mono heads will also come with receivers built in." norman makes a couple. http://www.adorama.com/NMML600R.html The last dynalite pack I bought had a built in PW receiver as well. cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografz Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 Thanks Lucas. I know a bunch of pack makers are offering Pocket Wizard receivers built in, the Profoto generators we use do, but I didn't know if there was any mono heads with it. The Profoto Monos I just got didn't have them, so now I'm out another $500. to radio slave them : -( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lb- Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 "The Profoto Monos I just got didn't have them, so now I'm out another $500. to radio slave them : -( " ha, you're not getting any sympathy from me :) I think photogenic is also selling some mono's with built in PW receivers. I'd love a Pro-7B kit but my old norman 200 and 400B's won't break so I've no excuse to pony up for the profotos :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografz Posted April 8, 2006 Share Posted April 8, 2006 Had to go Profoto Lucas. Not for weddings as much as commercial location assignments. All the studio lighting is Profoto so I couldn't mix systems and then have to get duplicate accessories like all the light modifiers we already have. Nothing wrong with the Norman stuff, and now they come with Pocket Wizard built in !!! In fact, that's the system I'd go for for weddings and location portraits if that's all I was doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lb- Posted April 8, 2006 Share Posted April 8, 2006 My favorite thing about the normans is the cost. The last used 200b I bought was $150 or so with 2 new batts and a new charger! Plus the only weddings I shoot are on the beach so when I drop another one in the water I won't be too upset :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now