These little wizards work great. The only thing that is lacking is there is no TTL. At the sametime that's a good thing because now it really forces you to learn how to use your equipment and manual mode. The range on these are great as well. Nice price for those who are learing how use Pocket Wizards.
I'm not familiar with PWiz, but I love the Odin. Remote power control of groups in TTL with +/- EV adjustments (3 stops in 1/3 stop increments - 18 different levels.) Remote manual mode flash power control with 1/3 stop adjustments Remote flash head zoom adjustments - auto or manual Mix TTL and Manual flash Remote power control in A:B ratio modes with +/- EV adjustments High speed sync - shutter speeds up to 1/8000 sec. Second curtain sync functions
The Phottix Atlas 2 absolutely blows away anything Pocket Wizard has on the market and for half the price.... and yes, I own and have shot with Pocket Wizards for years.
and with the su-800 you get an af assist lamp which is better than the build in lamp of the camera. you can use the su-800 with the Sb-600/700/800/900/910.
Exellent, a Pocket Wizard for me. I've always had hopes to get Pocket Wizard triggers but they're a little too pricey; until now. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Matt; I'll check them out.
I have the Phottix and you cannot meter the flash output power to the Sekonic Flash Meters by just clicking the test button of the Phottix commander. You have to click the test button from the flash to achieve this. The only good thing about Phottix is you can adjust the output power on each of the flash units from the Phottix commander.
This is a serious matter. My first requirement is to fire the camera, it's most often on a tripod.. I don't often use off-camera flash, but when I do the camera itself can fire the flash. I have another brand of wireless remote that can do either one, but I've not coaxed it into firing my flash - I think my camera doesn't generate the signals if the builtin flash isn't raised.
Build quality is far superior. Metal foot, higher grade materials. Range in "real world" tests it out performs the pocket wizards. Price approximately half. 2.4ghz lets canon users get in the game unlike the interference issue with Pw's (see ron martinsons blog). They simply work with every system out there, pocket wizard cannot say the same. I have been a pocket wizard devotee for the last 10 years, but I'm a convert now.
It seems with the phottix you can remotely control the power of your flashes in groups in either manual or TTL/FEC whereas with the PW you need to walk up to each flas to set them manualy on the stand. correct?
I've seen a video by Mark Wallice where he uses the SU800 with a pocketwizard to do TTL with either FEC or full manual and control his groups of nikon flashes from the camera. Can you use the X to do this?
I to would recommend the Plus III for $149 in the US - worth the $50 vs the Plus X - unless you just have one flash to trigger - otherwise the group function is a must :) thanx for good review - I will now skip Plus X - as I need to get few more triggers and go with Plus III
Do the PWZ Plus 3s & Plus X support in camera controls? I'm currently using the Pixel 'King' remotes and specifically because they support the in camera controls such as output, ratios, zoom & exposure comp, as well as TTL. Not that I use much TTL when using off camera flash. They are suitable just not 100% reliable.
Fail I don't know about pocketwizards. What is in the box? What can I do with it as supplied? What accessories might I need? What are its limitations I.E when should one spend more for a dearer one?
As beginner I have no need of this equipment yet, but it is interesting anyway. If take a look at the frequency these gadgets work with, I am a little concerned that you could run into problems (maybe not you, but the others ;-)) because 433 MHz is used by e.g. some home automation systems and 2.4 GHz (Phottix Atlas 2) is e.g. used by WLAN and by some remote controls for model flight.
If you own Pocketwizards already they are great.There are better triggers out there for 200$ (2 units). Pocketwizards do have their place in the industry (for example with Hypersync, but even this can be achieved with an Yongnuo or Pixel King),but for someone who is starting out in off-camera flash, 200€ is a flash unit.....And I really don't see the value here. Yes, they are rugged and they should go UP TO 500 meters (my Phottix trigger only work at 150+meters),but these are fancy sync cables
So what are these exactly? Are each one to go on camera and the other for your flash to trigger and flash between both? I was told once that the PW were around $500 for both one for the camera and the other for the flash, but are these new X the same as any PW in the form of communicating with each other to flash from a distance
People always mock the the "cheap shitty ones' but i have never had any problems with mine, never miss fired once, i might just be lucky with mine but at such a price difference i'll keep shooting with the povo wizards.
Yongnuo Rf603 are $30 FOR TWO. If you want eTTL rf622 $99 FOR TWO Nikon version coming end of April. Yes PW are industry standard but IMHO still overpriced. Phottix Odin another viable option too
These little wizards work great. The only thing that is lacking is there is no TTL. At the sametime that's a good thing because now it really forces you to learn how to use your equipment and manual mode. The range on these are great as well. Nice price for those who are learing how use Pocket Wizards.
I'm not familiar with PWiz, but I love the Odin.
Remote power control of groups in TTL with +/- EV adjustments (3 stops in 1/3 stop increments - 18 different levels.)
Remote manual mode flash power control with 1/3 stop adjustments
Remote flash head zoom adjustments - auto or manual
Mix TTL and Manual flash
Remote power control in A:B ratio modes with +/- EV adjustments
High speed sync - shutter speeds up to 1/8000 sec.
Second curtain sync functions
I have a few of them and 1 older version. Plus tested generic version of trigger and receiver. I admit it convenient and easy to use.
The Phottix Atlas 2 absolutely blows away anything Pocket Wizard has on the market and for half the price.... and yes, I own and have shot with Pocket Wizards for years.
....also has the hot shoe sync port built in so you can avoid sync cables if you choose.
Trigmaster Plus II's for half the price, but with zone control, hotshoe mount, and no need for a sync cable. Bam!
2, Each unit is a transceiver, meaning it can transmit & receive. You need one on camera as a transmitter and one for your flash as a receiver.
and with the su-800 you get an af assist lamp which is better than the build in lamp of the camera.
you can use the su-800 with the Sb-600/700/800/900/910.
Exellent, a Pocket Wizard for me. I've always had hopes to get Pocket Wizard triggers but they're a little too pricey; until now. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Matt; I'll check them out.
I have the Phottix and you cannot meter the flash output power to the Sekonic Flash Meters by just clicking the test button of the Phottix commander. You have to click the test button from the flash to achieve this. The only good thing about Phottix is you can adjust the output power on each of the flash units from the Phottix commander.
This is a serious matter. My first requirement is to fire the camera, it's most often on a tripod.. I don't often use off-camera flash, but when I do the camera itself can fire the flash. I have another brand of wireless remote that can do either one, but I've not coaxed it into firing my flash - I think my camera doesn't generate the signals if the builtin flash isn't raised.
Build quality is far superior. Metal foot, higher grade materials. Range in "real world" tests it out performs the pocket wizards. Price approximately half. 2.4ghz lets canon users get in the game unlike the interference issue with Pw's (see ron martinsons blog). They simply work with every system out there, pocket wizard cannot say the same. I have been a pocket wizard devotee for the last 10 years, but I'm a convert now.
It seems with the phottix you can remotely control the power of your flashes in groups in either manual or TTL/FEC whereas with the PW you need to walk up to each flas to set them manualy on the stand. correct?
I've seen a video by Mark Wallice where he uses the SU800 with a pocketwizard to do TTL with either FEC or full manual and control his groups of nikon flashes from the camera. Can you use the X to do this?
I to would recommend the Plus III for $149 in the US - worth the $50 vs the Plus X - unless you just have one flash to trigger - otherwise the group function is a must :)
thanx for good review - I will now skip Plus X - as I need to get few more triggers and go with Plus III
Do the PWZ Plus 3s & Plus X support in camera controls?
I'm currently using the Pixel 'King' remotes and specifically because they support the in camera controls such as output, ratios, zoom & exposure comp, as well as TTL. Not that I use much TTL when using off camera flash. They are suitable just not 100% reliable.
Dear Matt, would SU800 work with your YN flashes (i believe its the 560 or another 500 series)?
Fail
I don't know about pocketwizards.
What is in the box?
What can I do with it as supplied?
What accessories might I need?
What are its limitations I.E when should one spend more for a dearer one?
As beginner I have no need of this equipment yet, but it is interesting anyway. If take a look at the frequency these gadgets work with, I am a little concerned that you could run into problems (maybe not you, but the others ;-)) because 433 MHz is used by e.g. some home automation systems and 2.4 GHz (Phottix Atlas 2) is e.g. used by WLAN and by some remote controls for model flight.
If you own Pocketwizards already they are great.There are better triggers out there for 200$ (2 units). Pocketwizards do have their place in the industry (for example with Hypersync, but even this can be achieved with an Yongnuo or Pixel King),but for someone who is starting out in off-camera flash, 200€ is a flash unit.....And I really don't see the value here. Yes, they are rugged and they should go UP TO 500 meters (my Phottix trigger only work at 150+meters),but these are fancy sync cables
how many pocket wizards +3s do i need? i only have one flash but want to do some off camera flash
but then again,I have a SB 700..can it be used as a poket wizard or a SU 800?
Oh I overlooked it - thanks for the hint LaughingLion4Ever.
So what are these exactly? Are each one to go on camera and the other for your flash to trigger and flash between both? I was told once that the PW were around $500 for both one for the camera and the other for the flash, but are these new X the same as any PW in the form of communicating with each other to flash from a distance
Great info Matt thanks.
People always mock the the "cheap shitty ones' but i have never had any problems with mine, never miss fired once, i might just be lucky with mine but at such a price difference i'll keep shooting with the povo wizards.
hi matt where can i get radio trigger for the sony alpha 850
can I use only one pocket wizard, set it up on the accessory shoe, and have my SB-700 set on remote mode? Or do I have to buy 2 pocket wizards?
Yongnuo Rf603 are $30 FOR TWO. If you want eTTL rf622 $99 FOR TWO Nikon version coming end of April. Yes PW are industry standard but IMHO still overpriced. Phottix Odin another viable option too
Matt do I need to buy two if I only have a one flash set up?
Matt why should I buy this instead of SU 800 commander?
I like those pocket wizards but are so expensive
what system (and models) would you recommend for shooting above 1/2500? regards.
I just checked the price of the PA2 and here in Germany it is about 160 € - so I can not see any advantage in price.
Matt : ever broke one of these ???
They are sold in packs of two. So half the price. Check ebay.
How do pocket wizards actually work? Could you please do one of those videos. Something like educating tina explaining how poket wizards work
Cheers
educating Rita, not Tina.
You missed out one important factor: no TTL!