PocketWizards functionality

[maximphotostudio]

Hi all, this is my first post. I've recently purchased White

Lightning X3200, X1600, and X800 strobes for my portrait photography

studio. I also purchased Pocket Wizard Max Transceiver and two Wizard

Plus Receivers. I placed the receivers on the X3200 and X1600. The

X800 I use as a kicker, hairlight or to light the background with

some gels.

 

I was able to trip the strobes from my Sekonic L-558R and from the

transceiver placed on the camera. However, all three strobes fired at

the same time. Here is the question:

 

1. Is there a way to remotely trigger individual strobes and not have

others fire without turning them off? In other words, can I supress

X1600 to get a key light measure and then suppress the X3200 to get

x1600 fill value, etc.

 

2. Can this suppression be performed from the 558 and/or from the

transceiver?

[mikeseb]

If I understand your question, you need a control unit for the strobes. White Lightning/

Alien Bees makes both wired and wireless control units that will allow you to do just what

you are talking about, found here:

 

http://www.white-lightning.com/remotes.html

 

They are triggered from a central location so you can measure each one separately; you

can also adjust power levels from the control unit.

 

Your Sekonic also has a built-in transmitter that works with Pocket Wizard receivers

allowing you to trigger individual strobes from where you are standing, to meter each light

separately. You'd need a PW receiver for each strobe to make this work.

 

Bottom line: you already have much of the equipment you need to make this work. Drag

out your Sekonic and PW instruction manuals (yeah, I know, I don't read mine either! :) )

and see how to do this. You may need more PW receivers, depending on the number of

strobes you want to fire.

[rdkirk]

Michael's suggestion of one of the Paul C Buff remote systems is the best of all worlds for you. Being able to remotely control not only the triggering but also the power levels and modeling lights is something you'll never willingly give up once you've experienced it.

 

If you don't have pack up and move your studio frequently, the $99 wired remote system is perfect.