 Radio Slaves/wireless Slaves Thread |
  |
 Oct 22 2006, 08:16 PM
Post
#1
|
|
 Overdosed  Group: Die Hard Posts: 2,610 Joined: 15-November 04 From: London, Ontario Member No.: 1,330  |
Alright, after numerous posts about slaves and people being dumb about them... I've compiled some info for people. Feel free to add details. If I left stuff out, it's either because I don't believe in it.. or because I just don't like it.
First up... The Camera In order to get your flash off camera, you need to check what your camera is packin'. Do you have a hotshoe, a PC terminal, or both? Most lower end cameras these days won't come with a PC terminal.  This shows the Nikon D2H which happens to have both a hotshoe and a PC terminal. If your camera does not have a PC terminal and you are looking to use PC Cables (more on these further down) you will need something to convert the hotshoe to a PC. One of the best products to do this is the Nikon AS-15. I'm not sure if you can use this on a Canon SLR or DSLR but I don't see why not.  This shows the Nikon AS-15 with the PC terminal coming out the back. Now let's look at the Connection Method There are three (ok there are more) ways to get the slave flash firing. PC Sync Cords Alright, these are basically some cords that run from your camera to the flash.  The left side is a PC (Male) and the right side is a PC (Female). If you would like to run more than one slave flash, you will need a splitting device that looks like this:  With this method you will need to plug the splitter into your camera or a sync cord between your camera and the splitter. From the splitter you would run a PC Female to (Insert Plug for your flash here). You could also run a Hotshoe to Hotshoe adapter like the Nikon SC-17/SC-28/SC-29. This works exactly like it looks. One end plugs into the hotshoe, and the other has the flashes hotshoe slip into it. The bottom of the end for the flash has the threads for a tripod.  Optical Slaves Not going to give much detail on these because I don't like them. Essentially you have one flash fire from your main camera... and from there each slave flash has a sensor mounted to it. When it senses a burst of light over ambiant light, it fires the flash it's connected to. These suck during the day time though. Radio Slaves... Pocket Wizards Pocket Wizards are the greatest invention ever. They start with a transmitter mounted to the hotshoe of your camera.  When the camera sends a signal to the hotshoe, the transmitter picks up that electrical pulse from the camera and emits a signal up to 300 feet around which is picked up by any receivers you have mounted to flashes in the area. Now the receiver gets connected to a flash somehow through some cord. These cords must usually be purchased seperately. Some of the Pocket Wizard kits include a Miniphone to PC cable.  This shows the top of the Pocket Wizard receiver where the Miniphone connection is plugged into. Now let us study the FLASHES situation. Different flashes have different connection that must be made. All manufacturers have different types of cables. To find out which works for your camera, head over to www.paramountcords.com and take a look at what they have before asking on Skate Perception. Those questions get really annoying. Now... some things to think about. The Nikon SB-800 has a built in PC terminal so you can use the Miniphone to PC cable that comes with Pocket Wizards.  However, the Vivitar 285HV accepts a different cable called the VC-1.  In order to connect my Pocket Wizards to my Vivitars, I custom fabricated a cord built from an old set of headphones (Thats how I got the Miniphone) and from an Old VC-1 Vivitar cord.  Sometimes there are no inputs and you will just need to use a PC to Hotshoe converter. Here is an example of one made by Kaiser.  Remember, it's all about finding the cord that goes from your camera or your Pocket Wizard... and connects correctly to your flash. In case you are wondering... it is possible to mix the two methods. You MAY connect more than one flash to a Pocket Wizard Receiver. Mamiya and Pocket Wizard have said it is OK to do but do not recommend more than 2 flashes per receiver. I have personally used 3 flashes from a single receiver without an issue. Next we'll discuss Mounting your flash. Your super cool flash and Pdubs arent just going to lie on the ground are they? I would hope not. This is where you get some lightstands or some shitty WalMart tripods and get your flash where you want it. Now... most tripods come with a screw on the top.. but that doesn't really fit a hotshoe does it? So we need something to convert that. Here is an example of a product made by Kaiser.  I have also used a Nikon-AS19 for this purpose. Now for a shot of the whole SHABANG...  Well that's all for now guys. Remember to feel free to add stuff to this. I am well aware that there are other methods (Infrared, Ebay Slaves, Nikon iTTL Creative Lighting, Canon eTTL) but the above methods are the ones I have the most experience with. This is just an overall guide to get people started and understanding how the system works with slaves. Take it easy, Mike -------------------- |
 |
 
|
|
Oct 22 2006, 08:18 PM
Post
#2
|
|
 Mr Universe Group: Die Hard Posts: 1,459 Joined: 26-June 06 From: Filthadelphia. Member No.: 9,183 |
that really helps
i've been looking for a guide like this for a very long time -------------------- Flickr.
QUOTE(Biggie. @ Jan 13 2007, 06:01 PM)  I'm ordering pdubs. I have one flash. Will the photos be shitty? QUOTE(CHEE PONO @ Mar 1 2007, 09:34 PM) getting peteh to shoot color would be about as hard as giving paris hilton a STD she doesnt already have QUOTE(wademac @ Mar 27 2007, 05:40 PM) move your flash back a bit to difuse it |
|
|
|
|
Oct 22 2006, 08:19 PM
Post
#3
|
|
 +-  Group: Photo Mods Posts: 9,525 Joined: 8-August 05 From: vista, ca Member No.: 4,495 |
Good Job!
This makes me so pissed off at the fact I have ebay slaves and not PW's. Basically, I wnt 2 slit my wrst or sumtin. |
|
|
|
|
Oct 22 2006, 08:21 PM
Post
#4
|
|
|
Overdosed Group: Die Hard Posts: 2,610 Joined: 15-November 04 From: London, Ontario Member No.: 1,330 |
No Jake, the last one merely attaches the flash to the tripod. However the Kaiser with the PC sync does have threads in the bottom.
-------------------- |
|
|
|
|
Oct 22 2006, 08:35 PM
Post
#5
|
|
 hustlin' Group: Die Hard Posts: 2,052 Joined: 15-April 06 From: Michigan Member No.: 8,247 |
pin this fo sho.
|
|
|
|
|
Oct 22 2006, 08:54 PM
Post
#6
|
|
|
it's like when you press your fists into your eyes Group: Die Hard Posts: 1,768 Joined: 15-June 06 From: Albany, NY Member No.: 9,085 |
i love you
-------------------- |
|
|
|
|
Oct 22 2006, 10:53 PM
Post
#7
|
|
 provia Group: Die Hard Posts: 6,780 Joined: 9-March 05 From: Victoria, BC Member No.: 2,522 |
QUOTE(jordan @ Oct 22 2006, 06:19 PM) Good Job! This makes me so pissed off at the fact I have ebay slaves and not PW's. Basically, I wnt 2 slit my wrst or sumtin. Don't worry Jordan, I have pocket wizards. -------------------- Buyers: seth - vx2100, wilbur - mx3000, bomber - ebay slaves, mzinger - 285hv, Jared Chilko - dvx mk2 Sellers: MikeLittle - 2x 285hv, OZ - polaroid back, Karma - film Traders: Mike Last - PocketWizards |
|
|
|
|
Oct 22 2006, 11:06 PM
Post
#8
|
|
 JE is sexy Group: Established Member Posts: 756 Joined: 25-September 06 From: Albert Lea, MN Member No.: 10,565 |
This will really help alot of the new photographers out, thanks for posting this Mike!
-------------------- Legit - stc9357K2, supakoosa, chrisrlatina, Trippy_Filmer, lindsay., (..Cameron..), snakeyes17, P.V.G, I'm John, nlhockeyfreak, rise~against. If you not on the list lemme know, the haxorz deleted some of my list.
QUOTE(C O P E @ Nov 17 2006, 11:52 PM) JE is a legend.. for ever |
|
|
|
|
Oct 22 2006, 11:08 PM
Post
#9
|
|
|
+- Group: Photo Mods Posts: 9,525 Joined: 8-August 05 From: vista, ca Member No.: 4,495 |
QUOTE(DayOne @ Oct 22 2006, 08:53 PM) Don't worry Jordan, I have pocket wizards. Thanks. I feel way happier 
|
|
|
|
|
Oct 22 2006, 11:32 PM
Post
#10
|
|
 minion... Group: Die Hard Posts: 3,574 Joined: 29-January 05 From: Maine Member No.: 1,994 |
Amazing tutorial, props for all the time and effort put into this, I'm sure it will help a bunch of people.
QUOTE(jordan @ Oct 23 2006, 01:19 AM) Good Job! This makes me so pissed off at the fact I have ebay slaves and not PW's. Basically, I wnt 2 slit my wrst or sumtin. Hahaha, don't worry you aren't the only one that wants them real bad. Going off on a tanget here, but todays light setup: First I electrical taped my piece of shit promaster fm600..  to my lightstand. Because its been knocked over so many times, that both flaps have been broken off and lost(Ive found and reattached them a couple times). After I metered it, I metered my sb-26 flash, than I turned on the built in optical/light slave, reattached the ebay sync cord to my promaster, to find out that my 30ft in fact was not long enough. And getting a looser angle would risk knocking it over AGAIN. Ok enough of this essay. I'm sorry if I ruined this topic. -------------------- |
|
|
|
|
Oct 23 2006, 04:16 AM
Post
#11
|
|
 Overdosed Group: Die Hard Posts: 3,426 Joined: 19-December 05 From: Brisbane, Australia. Member No.: 6,327 |
Pretty good tutorial, deserves a point.
-------------------- legit: vulturesteez, linky, photographynut, virtual life, austin sneed, i enjoi skateboarding, chayce, organik, tassie_my_dawg, miraclemauro, special_k, doyle, sgat, kuzmadvx, BDL, code rad, bgriffing, shane wheeler, luke e, hurley, webster, kjd, wes, i8therice.
|
|
|
|
|
Oct 23 2006, 06:27 AM
Post
#12
|
|
 tunebomb gets to pick my avatars  Group: Admin Posts: 14,463 Joined: 4-April 04 From: NC/NY Member No.: 1 |
Damn if we only had one this good about those ebay slaves so I can quit seeing topics about them.
pinned. thanks mike! -------------------- RIP Derek Gertz
QUOTE(RE1000 @ Jan 13 2010, 01:20 PM) I bet i could make that clip look like Terminator Salvation in no time. lolz. QUOTE(scott pommier @ Feb 26 2009, 10:12 PM) if you were as picky with your exposures, your framing and your timing as you are about my hygene, then maybe you could get a cover. zing. Vouch List...... Sellers: Kevin, CuntNJ, Jayo, Mr. Ryan, Michael Buyers: War Pig, PVG, Tom, Hub, Tito_GH, VX1k_skate, Coalition Films, John Brown |
|
|
|
|
Oct 23 2006, 08:46 PM
Post
#13
|
|
 Underdosed Group: Established Member Posts: 922 Joined: 21-June 05 From: Portland, Oregon Member No.: 3,855 |
QUOTE(NikonWhore @ Oct 22 2006, 09:06 PM) This will really help alot of the new photographers out, thanks for posting this Mike! i'm a new photographer and this helped me out a huge deal, along with everything else on skateperception -------------------- |
|
|
|
|
Oct 27 2006, 03:56 PM
Post
#14
|
|
|
future whore Group: Members Posts: 24 Joined: 23-October 06 From: Murfreesboro, Tennessee Member No.: 11,056 |
If I am wanting to use a flash with a pocket wizard, the flash doesn't have to be the same brand as my camerea right? since its just hooked into one of the pocketwizards and not my camera..
|
|
|
|
|
Oct 27 2006, 07:08 PM
Post
#15
|
|
 1st Class whore Group: Die Hard Posts: 1,177 Joined: 3-March 06 From: Winchester, VA Member No.: 7,421 |
Correct. Though, it doesn't have to be the same brand as your camera to begin with.
-------------------- |
|
|
|
|
Oct 29 2006, 12:21 AM
Post
#16
|
|
 HELL YA! Group: Die Hard Posts: 2,128 Joined: 16-March 06 From: kelowna/vancouver Member No.: 7,703 |
wow, I'm not even a photographer and i could understand that pretty well.
this inspires me to get into photography, but i have other priorities with my money haha. well at least i know how to set up some slaves now! macbook>death lens>d50. -------------------- |
|
|
|
|
Oct 29 2006, 12:24 AM
Post
#17
|
|
 RANDOM ASS HIP HOP Group: Die Hard Posts: 1,963 Joined: 22-April 06 From: BAY 415+510=[925] AREA! Member No.: 8,367 |
QUOTE(ayofokayo @ Oct 22 2006, 06:54 PM) i love you
-------------------- Sigma 70-300mm Lens, Vivitar 285, Sunpak Tripod 4 SALE!
Fallen Sweater, Matix MJ pants, Burton Snowboarding Pants 4 SALE! **I WILL DO TRADES! Legit. Tellyfone Factoree SJfilmerskater Austin Sneed Kris Miles AaronC UnauthorisedSkateCo d-nat TheNewEra Phillyfilmer aTrue_OG Pittman Trippy_Filmer i enjoi skateboarding asdf sneakahead chunkyy56 |
|
|
|
|
Nov 12 2006, 02:54 PM
Post
#18
|
|
|
+- Group: Photo Mods Posts: 9,525 Joined: 8-August 05 From: vista, ca Member No.: 4,495 |
Is this the cord I need to go from my Vivi285 to a PW Transciever?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller...u=132048&is=REG I want to be sure it goes into Transcievers too, and not just the Plus2's or something. |
|
|
|
|
Nov 12 2006, 03:14 PM
Post
#19
|
|
 fundmc Group: Photo Mods Posts: 4,999 Joined: 10-May 06 From: baltimore Member No.: 8,646 |
did you get youself some pws jordan? or is it an xmas thing? I think those are the ones but im no expert.
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 12 2006, 03:22 PM
Post
#20
|
|
|
+- Group: Photo Mods Posts: 9,525 Joined: 8-August 05 From: vista, ca Member No.: 4,495 |
Christmas.
My goal is to get 3 flashes going on PW's and instead of a telephoto lens Im just going to get 50mm hopefully. I love being like everyone else. |
|
|
|
|
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:
|
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 9th February 2010 - 05:29 AM |