|
i do not receive any mail too. i will keep on visiting their site for info. i am eagerly waiting for my units too.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
I'm thinking about asking for a refund myself. I ordered friday and expected them to be shipped by now. I understand that they may have problems but if i've not gotten an email by the time I wake in the morning i'm asking for a refund. I wouldn't normally do that but like kurbster said if I pay $40 shipping I expect it to get shipped.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
 |
Kurbster Photography [deleted] says:
Go News Guys and Gals
I just received this from Gadget Infinity
Dear XXXXX,
Thank you for your enquiry.
Please kindly note that UPS will be picking up the package within the next 2
hours.
A shipping notification with tracking will also be sent within the next to 2
hour for you.
Best regards,
Darren
Good now maybe I'll have it by Thursday, So that I can put it though a real workout this weekend. I have (2) 300 watt studio strobes, and (2) Canon 430 EX ll's to see how they will work with both setups
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
I am not sure what the bru-ha-ha about these things is. They still don't perform as well as a set of modded V2s units and they are lightly more expensive. To *PROPERLY* mod a transmitter takes all of 15 seconds, and if you use the *RIGHT* length and type of wire, range goes from 30 feet to over 350 feet reliably.
If I did not need/want iTTL or 1/500th sync speeds on my non-iTTL flashes, I would have stuck to my tried and proven V2s Cactus and been better off for it than getting the V4's.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
Got my tracking number and they should be here on thursday. Thats my birthday so it'll be a nice gift to myself. lol
also side note
can I ask that all of you go to the link below and vote on my photo assignment. It'll only take a min and i'll help me move up in the ranks. Also signup and submit your own idea for a chance to win a $50,000 photo assignment. Thanks for your help.
www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/acollins319/lig...
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Date: 13-03-2009 03:49:49
Order id: #xxxxxxxxx
Order status: Processed
hmmm... guess I will just have to wait
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Kurbster Photography [deleted] says:
Still haven't gotten my UPS 3 Day Express tracing number yet as promised
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Ordered my transmitter/receiver pack on day one just stuck with normal delivery as it is usually quick and in expensive.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
yehey...i just got a msg this morning from gadget infinity that my unit is on the way. checked and confirmed from their website and my order is now in a "complete" status...
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Dear Michail Fludkov,
Thanks for shopping with us. We have shipped the order today.
mine too :)
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Received an hour ago:
Thanks for shopping with us. We have shipped the order today. For regular airmail, the package should reach you within 15 days. If you have chosen to shipped via UPS Express, it should reach you in 2 working days.
and on the site:
Owing to unexpected number of orders for Cactus V4, our shipping system has broken down in the morning. It is under repair at the moment and should be back to normal very soon. Your order will experience a one-day delay and will be shipped tomorrow. Please accept our sincerely apology for any inconvenience caused.
I ordered day 1, so I'm a bit disappointed to just get the notice as I was hoping to receive mine tomorrow, but hey - Friday or Monday wouldn't be so bad. I probably won't have much chance to shoot between now and then anyways. I figured they would be swamped with orders and I'd receive some sort of delay notice anyways - new product, foreign manufacture, fairly high demand. As long as i get mine before the end of the month I'll be happy.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Mine have shipped also, but on the standard airmail. Lets hope the rumours are true and they arrive way quicker than 15 days.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
Mine have shipped also! :)
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Mine have shipped as well, standard mail.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Same here!
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
Woohoo! Mine showed up today!
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Stop posting already, I want reliability reports stat.
I've had more misfires than an Austin Allegro today.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
Anyone got any prior experience of delivery times to UK?
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
My early experience:
I've set them off about 30 times - in my office. My position has ranged from in the office, to down the hall about 100 feet away - as far as I can get and still see my flashes.
Not a single misfire.
I did get frustrated early on - the transmitter comes with all the address dips switched in the Off position, the receivers come with all the dips switched On. If you aren't paying attention, it look like they are both addressed the same. I went to get some new batteries, and it wasn't until I replaced them that I noticed the differences.
Am I the only one who received an order today? Or is everyone else busy shooting?
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
I just boght V2s.... damn
actually ordered on the 4th... still not here though... never even saw them on gadget infinity...
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
Max Barros www.barrosinc.com edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
Should these work with a Sunpak 522 Thyristor flash?
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Steve: it would help if you listed what flashes/camera you used them with and what max sync speed you got (the old ones sometimes lost a stop of speed w/ some camera/flash combos or some flashes, like the Canons, would just go insane because they had the same issue as the new pocketwizards)....
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Dear XXXX,
I'm sorry, we are out of stock on the V4. We are trying our very best to restock and re-list the V4 by the end of next week. You may feel free to check back with us from time to time. Thank you for your enquiry.
Best regards,
Darren
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Kurbster Photography [deleted] says:
UPS 3 Day Express Shipping
Delivery Date: 03/19/2009
CHEUNG SHA WAN,HK 03/17/2009 6:04 P.M. PICKUP SCAN
Then after only 1 day
ANCHORAGE,AK, US 03/18/2009 3:50 P.M. DEPARTURE SCAN
Mine should be here tomorrow, I'll be looking for that big brown truck.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
I'll be interested to see if the circuit boards in these are the same as the V2s, and if these are just a factory version of the antenna mod.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
kenkyee - I'm using them with SB600 and SB800 Nikon flashes. I synced fine at 1/250 and 1/100 today.
My first shot (actually, shot 66, but the first keeper - super blurry resized, but the high-res is great):
Lighting setup shots:
(blurry, but you can see what you need to).
I had several "misfires" this evening, and it turned out that my flashes were going into standby mode because I took too long between shots. The first missed shot woke them up every time - so that's a flash problem and not a Cactus problem. There's probably an option I need to set.
I don't know about a lost stop, I'm unsure how to test that. It seemed to work great for me.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Thanks for the info Steve!
Did you have trouble connecting the SB-600?
On one of the previous pre production reviews, he mentionned about the SB-600 not working right away.
"Quite soon I found the first problem that is in the hot shoe connector. I was wondering why my SB-600 doesn't want to work straight on the receiver I compared it to the V2s receiver and the black plastic part is just a little bit smaller in horizontal direction and it causes some of the pins on the bottom of the flash to contact with the ground plate and the flash won't trigger (with the V2s there is no problem)."
from http://akikorhonen.org/articles.php?action=view&id=667
He did mention an easy fix with tape, but I was just wondering if they had fixed it or if it was still there?
Thanks
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
So mine will arrive today but I only ordered one set to test them out. Anyone know how well they work with multiple setups. I want to buy about 4 more of these if they work well together. If not I'll buy cybersyncs.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Kurbster Photography [deleted] says:
METAIRIE, LA, US 03/19/2009 7:30 A.M. OUT FOR DELIVERY.
I think I hear the big brown truck coming.... :-)
I think I hear the big brown truck coming.... :-)
Nope it was just a garbage truck.... :-(
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
Kurbster Photography edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
Kurbster Photography [deleted] says:
I'll be testing mine today on these 3 flashes
(1) Canon 430 EX ll
(2) Yongnuo YN460
(2) Ultibitz DL-82ABSZ
I'm still saving up for a Canon 580 EX ll
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
Kurbster Photography edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
|
Steve: if your max camera sync speed is 1/250, you're good. With some camera/flash combos, you have to use the triggers at one stop under or you'd have black bars show up in your pics.
Nice splash shot...I've been meaning to try that... :-)
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
just got mine. 50 shots with off camera flash and with studio strobes. no miss fires up to 50ft away inside through walls. I can even fire my camera with these with me a1 remotes mini port and mini adapter. I was even able to fire my camera inside the fridge. Don't ask me why I just wondered if it would... lol The first shot did not take but the second and third did. But its inside the fridge with the door closed for crying out loud. or maybe my camera was asleep. not sure!
Someone please tell me you've tried a few of these side by side to see if they all fire and sync at the same time. If so I'm ordering a ton more of these the next shipment. They are great. Much better than I ever thought for $40
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
acollins319 edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
Kurbster Photography [deleted] says:
Got mine 2 hours ago
Range is great, Shot about 200 test shoots
Synch best in-between 160-200 with no problems
Also shot side by side with no problems (Canon 430EX ll users will like that)
(1) Canon 430 EX ll No Misfires
(2) Yongnuo YN460 No Misfires
(2) Ultibitz DL-82ABSZ 2 Misfires on 1 flash - (Flash Related - Not Cactus V4 Related)
Canon 430EX II users, This is the most afordable trigger system to use so far
Tested With; Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi, Canon 18mm-55mm Is Lens, Canon 55mm-250mm IS Lens
Ps. I'll be ordering 1 more set of these plus an extra reciever. That way I can use 4 flashes and also have a back up transmitter :-)
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
Kurbster Photography edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
|
Thanks kurbster for the review. I forgot to say I was syncing at 250 the whole time. I was in a hurry. Just woke up when the truck arrived. Its my brithday so its a great gift to myself. Im shooting a canon 30d with a (vivitar auto 40d) and a flashpoint budget studio flash. I was so happy that it would fire my camera aswell as the strobes. I have 4 other flashes and I'll do some more speed and range tests with each of them soon. Have to head off to work soon. I've not done enough test yet but I think these are a great solution to PW if you don't need all the advanced features.
I'm going to place an order for 4 more sets as soon as they are in stock again. I figure spend the extra $17 and have the back up transmitters. You can buy 5 complete sets of these for the price of one PW so if I break one I can have a spare on hand and its no big deal.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
oh and one more thing. I shot 11 frames at 5fps and they never missed a beat.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
glad that cactus v4 are getting good reviews. i can't wait for them to have new stocks so i can order mine. :)
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
@Dinners Ready- The hot shoe clamp on these triggers is very tight, so I'm not surprised about your comment. I didn't have any problems making it work at all - it just took a little elbow grease getting the trigger on and off.
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
Steve Kallestad edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
Kurbster Photography [deleted] says:
Update:
I also tried them on my
(2) SL-300 Watt Studio Strobes No Misfires in over 50 shots
(2) SL-150 Watt Studio Strobes No Misfires in over 50 shots
I just wished that GI would ship the additional recievers also with a 3.5 mm mono jack to 3.5 mm mono jack, and the 3.5 mm mono jack to 6.3 mm mono jack
But luckly I had an some extra 3.5 mm mono jack to 3.5 mm mono jacks that I had bought extra for my studio strobes
I have order 4 of these to go with my studio strobes: Strobist - Wireless Flash Trigger Lightstand Mount I think those Cactus V4 receivers will fit nicely on my stands with these.
My over all opinion of these flashes.
They are now PW's
But then hey, For under $100.00
I can now shot all day long in my preferred manual settings, and not worry about any misfires...
I am a Happy Camper now....
Hey anybody wants to buy a new Phoshot 4 Channel Flash Trigger + 2 Receiver PT-04 V2s really cheap... Make me an offer I can't refuse :-)
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
Kurbster Photography edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
|
The only advantages I see compared to the new Pocket Wizards is the PW has high speed sync and ttl (plus the added range). I'd like the high speed sync but can live without it (for now) and I would rather use manual rather than ttl anyway. I'll take the $1000 I save on buying these and get some new strobes and a new lense. Been wanting that tokina 11-16 f2.8 I hear its a great wide angle. Now I am interested in the new digital strobes that alienbee is going to release but thats a much later purchase. These work great for now.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
I wonder how these would do with a higher shutter speed....my 7II synchs at everything, sooooooooo.....
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Kurbster Photography [deleted] says:
My next purchase is going to be a new Canon 50D, body and a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens
Though I think I might have to sell my Classic Ford Pinto Station Wagon to help with this purchase...
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
Kurbster Photography edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
|
What real range are you getting with these compared to the V2s???
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Compared to CTR-301.....?
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Kurbster Photography [deleted] says:
I only tested to about 100 feet outside, and so far so go.
My neigbors gave me a funny look when I took them outside with 7 foot light stands. So just a quick test for distance, and then back inside. In Louisiana everybody packs guns
I'm going to take them to the park tomorrow, and yes try and get some good duck shots from a good zoom distance
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
Kurbster Photography edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
Kurbster Photography [deleted] says:
Atma Singh
Sorry to read about the theft of your flashes.
My CTR-301's are still in the mail system, as soon as I get them.
I will post what both of their V4/301 effected ranges are
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
Kurbster Photography edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
The CTR-301 fires 100% of the time for me up to 75ft.
Price is $39 for 1 transmitter PLUS 2 receivers. The cactus V4 only gives you 1 receiver for that price.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
CACTUS V4 have:
AAA battery
PC sync port
These are both not on the Yongnuo CTR-301's, which is why I wanna sit it out a little until both of these are more easily available, and the other '-crap-' has disappeared.
Could always mod the CTR-301's with a battery box, couple of wires and sticky back plastic al-a Blue Peter. Would have to use the hotshoe/pc adaptors to get a PC output from those.
>Considering Canon regular DSLR's can only do 1/250s, which of these two systems can get to, and keep up with that?
>When the batteries in the flash start to get weaker, do either of the triggers start to fail?
>Distance through walls?
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
what's the possibility of mpex picking these up and replacing the v2s? Im wanting to get a strobist kit from them but i dont want to get the v2s and then they switch to v4
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Has anybody tried the recievers with rechargeable batteries ? I don't want to be using throw-aways anymore.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
any more reviews from other people who got their cactus v4?
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Kurbster Photography [deleted] says:
I guess only a couple of us used that UPS 3 Day Epress Shipping
$42.00
I guess most buyers must of used regular shipping from HK (10-14 days) if you lucky.
I put in some AAA rechargable batteries for you Bike43, Thyey worked just as good as the throw-aways.
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
Kurbster Photography edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
Just got mine and they don't work! After trying all their troubleshooting I still have not gotten any LEDs to flash on either the transmitter or receivers and also no flashes triggered! Emailed customer support - we'll see what they say.
:(
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
Check the addresses. When I got mine, the transmitters were all set to ON and all the receiver one's were set to OFF. Since they were all on one side, I thought they weren't working.
Also, the switch is on when the red paint is showing through. I figured that out through trial and error.
And finally, make sure your flash didn't go into standby mode.
That's all I have, because that's all I went through. I also went out and bought new batteries for the receivers, but it turns out that was unnecessary.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
Do the flash on receiver need to be on 'slave' mode?
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
I got 1 set and 1 receiver. 1 receiver was always firing slow and now will only fire 1 every 10 times. My transmitter only works with the antenna down. Emailed customer service....we'll see. Kinda lame with springing for the 3-day shipping.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
Also make sure your flash is not a dedicated canon or nikon flash. What flash is it???
And if it not a dedicated one then make sure it seats well in the hotshoe. Mine is kind of tight.
I also replaced all the batteries with new ones even in the transmitter. Picked up a 2 pack for $1.88 at walmart. duracell 21/23 security battery.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
also try different channels you could pick up some interference on one of the channels that you wouldn't on the others
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
@aaronth & @acollins319
- that makes me feel worried about my set. I've already sold my jianisi pt-04tm and these soon to arrive v4's are the only set i have to rely on...
can you try your best to see if you can fix em and update us on em.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Kurbster Photography [deleted] says:
Same here on the channel switches.
All my transmitter switches were in the off position
Had to turn them all on to get it to work.
But then I had read that in an earlier post so I was aware of having to turn those switches on.
Be starting day 2 of putting these V4's thru some more testing
(1) Drop Test - Drop from 2nd story bulding
(2) Rollover Test - Roll over with 2 Ton Van
(3) Water Test - See if they work under water
I'll let you know later today how my testing went
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
Update:
Thanks for all the tips everybody - sadly it isn't a switch issue or battery issue - I've put fresh batteries in and have placed the switches in every possible combination (ok, maybe not every one, but the same ones set on the receivers) - the problem is that even when you press the transmitter button the LED doesn't show any activity.
Either way - Gadget Infinity sent a prompt reply and seemed to be planning ahead for us who ordered via 3-day:
"We're terribly sorry to hear about this matter.
In this case it appears that the transmitter is defective.
We have just issued a one-off offer of a replacement transmitter unit sent by EMS. The tested unit of V4 transmitter was just sent out the transmitter to you by EMS within the last hour.
The tracking number is ########. The package can be tracked at www.hongkongpost.com. It should arrive to your address within the next 3 to 5 days.
You are also not required to send back the unit.
Please note that this is a one off offer only for our first batch of V4 customers that chose UPS shipment.
Thank you for your feedback provided for the V4 and your support of our products.
If you encounter any further enquiries, please feel free to contact us.
Best regards,
Gadget Infinity"
so I'm no longer worrying - just a minor setback, but hey - it's a cheap wireless solution and it's their very first batch of these units and they've already got a new transmitter (that's been tested) in the mail for me :D
I'll put up some photos in a bit for you who know anything about circuitry - from what I can see everything looks like it is intact.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
like Chad Jones, I had problems with my 2Vs and canon 430ex.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
Here are the shots of the transmitter opened up - I couldn't find anything that looked out of place (except the battery removed in one shot, duh)
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Kurbster Photography [deleted] says:
Hey Aaronth
In this a pic, Were you trying to mod your V4 transmitter that didn't work
www.flickr.com/photos/aaronth/3369924595/
Seems funny that would you try and mod a transmitter that didn't work
Well I'm glad GI is sending you another
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
Kurbster Photography edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
|
@Kurbster: That shot was just an idea for troubleshooting a connection issue @Jeremy Brett had/has with the antenna not working in the vertical direction. Basically it just puts some extra tension on the metal plate that touches the metal rod going out into the antenna - that touching connection doesn't seem to be under too much pressure, so I can see how it could easily lose touch when moved to certain positions.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Kurbster Photography [deleted] says:
Maybe UPS tried a drop test with your package
I know usally the UPS driver knocks on my door 1 time and then just throws the package on the ground at my front door.
Plus they are not to careful about handling packages
I think GI needs to ship them in boxes with foam peanuts
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Surprise! Surprise!
Mine arrived this morning "standard post", Monday to Saturday not bad Honkers to Brighton UK in less than a week :-)
I did not expect to see them for another week or so!
Initial tests good on Canon 580mk1 and 580mk2 no misfires, neither canon flash popping off un-commanded.
Managed to distance fire from one side of the house to the other (approximately 35 ft) at a speed of 250th of a second. Will have to get dressed and get outside for further testing.
Happy Camper
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
Damon Hart edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
Hee, I'm in the country next to you (Netherlands). So maybe I can expect them soon too :-)
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
@ Damon - wouldn't nude testing be more interesting?
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
Black Shadow
I tested mine in the nude the other day and they didn't work any better than when I was fully clothed. :-( guess mine must be defective
j/k
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
acollins319 edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
|
"Atma Singh
Sorry to read about the theft of your flashes.
My CTR-301's are still in the mail system, as soon as I get them.
I will post what both of their V4/301 effected ranges are "
Thanks Kurbster.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
@ Damon, happy days, might have to go in to the office on monday then and see if mine arrive :-)
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
@Kurbster
Many thanks for testing with rechargeables.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
anyone gotten their V4 in the US with standard shipping????
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Received my v-4s by regular postal in Florida about ten minutes ago. Going through testing with my studio flash and strobes. So far no misfires at 100 ft with Sigma 500DG and Canon 10D.
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
glitchking edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
I got mine here in the sunny UK this morning, will have chance to properly test them tomorrow but so far so good :D
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
i ordered the V2s like 3 weeks and I am still waiting... I wish I owuld have seen the V4 :(
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
www.BARROSINC.com wrote i ordered the V2s like 3 weeks and I am still waiting Have they been despatched? if not cancel them.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
I ordered last friday with regular shipping and got them today!
I am in sf, CA
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
alexhophotography.com edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
Ordered mine just over a week ago - normal airmail and they arrived on saturday in the UK - quality.
Thought they didn't work as I tried them as soon as they arrived and got 50% fire rate at best. Played around just now with different channels and they seem much better. Not quite 100% but almost there. Might be my Canon 40D getting confused with my Nikon Sb24 though... Still very pleased with them for the money
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
JonnyConga edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
Mine should be in the box any day now... can't wait to test them out compared to the v2s's I already have!
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
I ordered and paid for mine on the 14th of this month, and just received them today. I'm in Melbourne, Australia.
I was quite surprised by the quality of the packaging too. Nice box and well packed. Even the manual is written in totally comprehensible english.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Can someone do a review of these triggers? Some people have had them for a week now. Curious about range, falsing when the transmitter is close to the receiver, number of misfires due to the triggers (turn off standby mode). Please help us out so we can make and informed decision when the next batch is available.
Thanks,
Paul
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Just received a trigger and receiver set here. 10 exposures with a flash 1 meter away and the antenna up: 10 failures to fire. 10 exposures with a flash 1 meter away and the antenna down: 10 successful fires.
Same test at 8 meters: Antenna up, 20 failures to fire, antenna down, 19 successful triggers, 1 misfire.
Flash is a 420EZ set to 1/32 power, camera is a 450D/XSi shooting on continuous mode at 1/50th of a second. I tried 5 different channels with no real difference in the results.
It won't fire if the down antenna is touching my skin. I think my forehead is close enough to the up-antenna to prevent it from working.
UPDATE: Got a replacement trigger shipped to me which has none of these issues, it works perfectly and I'm very happy with it.
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
thenickdude2009 edited this topic 38 months ago.
|
|
|
Obviously the switches are in the same position, otherwise I would never have got any successful fires. I've tried several channels, too.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Kurbster Photography [deleted] says:
I deleted my post after seeing reading this: I tried 5 different channels with no real difference in the results
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
Do you have some sort of extraterrestrial implant in your brain that might be causing interference?
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
Kurbster, ah, I see.. :).
TIm: Who knows, anything is possible.. :). Perhaps I'm secretly a cyborg.
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
thenickdude2009 edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
|
When my camera is in shooting position, the whole back end of the transmitter presses comfortably against my forehead. The antenna ends up at the midline of my forehead, but the antenna does not touch my forehead. Does the transmitter sit further out from the photographer if you are using a larger camera like a 40D? Perhaps that explains the variance in test results.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
@clevatreva: yep they took that long but arrived today! they work great though... are the V4 the same price (i can't see them online)
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
well if generationexe got them and hes in SF then i should hopefully get mine in LA.......but come on $41 dollars for shipping....na
Barrosinc:
Theyre currently sold out but they said they will be restocking soon and will put them back up on their website as soon as theyre available
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
Adrian Hoffmann edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
|
No one but me seems to realize that you can remotely fire your camera with these. I tried it and it works great. If you have an extra camera or two these can come in really handy at weddings and sports shooting.
I've not had alot of time to test but I have over a hunder shots so far and my set worked every time. Well any miss fires I had were my fault. Not getting the flash pushed in all the way a couple of times or not turning it on. It would really help to have a mark to know when its on or off. I used a silver sharpe to mark mine. Works great
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
@acollins319
how did you make this work? instructions please?
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
@thenickdude.
Seems like the electrodes on your transmitter might be faulty. They loose their contact while you set it up. Just a guess about manufacturing error. Its frequent to encounter this in Chinese products/toys etc. I had a radio remote for a toy car which worked fine while retracted and failed to work when extended.
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
Shailesh Johar edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
I received my order yesterday (Northern California). One trigger and two receivers. I was surprised by the poor packaging. What's the point of packing it in foam material when the top side isn't protected at all?
I'm seeing a lot of misfires with the included batteries, 20-30%, on both receivers, but not always at the same time on both so I don't believe the trigger is the issue.
I will try using new batteries to see if it improves.
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
quazeck edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
|
To fire your camera with these. I have a 30d and a cheap $7 A1 remote cable for doing long exposures. The a1 (pick up one on ebay there everywhere) has a mini plug on the side of it. Plug your receiver into that mini plug port and carry the transmitter as a remote control with you. I shot about 50 shots this way and it works great.
Oh and I have not had a missfire once but I did replace all the batteries as soon as I got the unit. I never use the batteries that come in electronics. They are always cheap and useless.
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
acollins319 edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
I got my V4s on Monday 3/23 after ordering them on the first day they were available. They work, but I've encountered a few problems:
- First was the grounding problem with my nikon SB-600, the contacts hitting metal on the receiver. A little tape on the receiver solved this.
- Second, the big problem: I'm having a lot of trouble with the sync speed. My D90 should sync at 1/200th (and it syncs fine with on-camera flash). At first, with the V4, the SB600 was rarely firing fast enough to sync, even at 1/60th shutter. After putting fresh batteries in the flash, it got a little better. But on the test I just did, at 1/200th it was 0/5 (4 missed completely, 1partial sync. The flash fires every time, just not fast enough.) At 1/125th, it synced 4/5 times (again, the flash did fire every time.) With the 285, it syncs fine at 1/200th. Something about the Nikon flash.
- I have to figure out how to keep the 600 from going into standby, but thats just a matter of me reading the manual.
- the V4 on a Vivatar 285 did fire reliably from 80+ feet away in another room. That surprised me.
Originally posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
StillGood edited this topic 39 months ago.
|
|
|
Got mine today and did a little testing - so far not impressed at all.
Range is bad - played around with different dip switch settings and got it to max out around 30 feet with reliable triggers - very sporadic further away.
Seems the external "antenna" is very poorly designed contact-wise. I get better range with it down than I do with it up. I opened up the transmitter and found that the metal contact point where the antenna just touches the insides needed to be bent out a little to provide better contact. Perfect contact now, but still no difference in range with the antenna up or down.
Why couldn't they spend an extra $3 to $5 USD per transmitter and put a GOOD antenna on it with SMA connectors. The antenna isn't even properly grounded, which is probably where most of the trouble is coming from.
I can touch the antenna with my fingers and get awesome range and reliability, but that is not the answer.
Sadly, not impressed.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
@Still Good - Is it because you're in Commander mode? I have no experience with radio triggers but this mistake happened to me when I used optical slaves...
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
ilntrigue - I'll check, thanks. I'm very unfamiliar with the options on my SB-600.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
|
|
Received mine today. 2 transmitters, 4 receivers. First impression, they work :-)
Will be testing them soon.
Posted 39 months ago.
(permalink)
|
Strobist.com /
Discuss
Feed – Subscribe to Strobist.com discussion threads
