Why doesn't canon build radio wireless speedlights

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

01/08/2009 09:05:00 PM · #1

Why does'nt canon build radio wireless speedlights? Do they have market shares in pocket wizards. For that matter, why wont any camera maker build one? The PW's cant even connect directly to speedlights.
Maybe they're real wizards and have a spell on camera manufacturers. This vexes me :(

trevytrev

Canon EOS-5D

01/08/2009 09:13:18 PM · #2

My guess is that it will add an additional cost to both body and flash and the general consumer won't use it and doesn't want to pay for it. I'm with ya though, that would be sweet.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/08/2009 09:32:38 PM · #3

I thought about that cost factor and i figured they could remove the infrared feature replacing it with radio. Its like those cellphones with infrared ports and bluetooth, WTH. Canon's big enough to feel they dont need to venture there i suppose. But you'ld think companies like olympus, sony or pentax struggling for market share would jump on it. Put the feature on maybe a higher end flash, like the profoto with built-in PW ability.

Prof_Fate

01/08/2009 09:35:29 PM · #4

PWs can connect directly to the 580-2.

Every country has it's own frequencies, so they'd have to make and certify a different speedlight for every country the sell in. Ouch on R&D, production costs, etc.

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

01/08/2009 09:48:30 PM · #5

Cause every country has it's own frequency & stupid politics to approve products using radio freq. That's why the pocketwizards in the US and, say, Australia are different frequencies and not compatible.

Edit: Sorry... Prof posted while I was watching TV so I'm too late :-)

Message edited by author 2009-01-08 21:49:11.

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

01/08/2009 10:06:40 PM · #6

Yes! that would be a problem, maybe they'll eventually learn to fold light :) I think I'll glue a magnifying glass to my optical slave.

crayon

01/08/2009 10:07:50 PM · #7

maybe someday the flash and the body can communicate through wifi or bluetooth instead

soup

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

01/08/2009 11:10:44 PM · #8

thats the ticket - hide that post before the idea is yanked from under your nose.... !!!

spiritualspatula

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/08/2009 11:54:55 PM · #9

Both wifi and bluetooth have similar range problems (unless you build a cantenna for your flash and camera. ha!). They also would have the potential for lots of interference from all the other devices that utilize them.

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/09/2009 12:30:35 AM · #10

If you haven't already, be sure to check out RadioPoppers. I have 'em and love 'em. And there is a new version coming out shortly that is even better than the original.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

01/09/2009 12:48:58 AM · #11

500 feet is pretty good for wifi, and you'd just need to encrypt the signal.,..

have you heard of the eyefi ?

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Message edited by author 2009-01-09 00:51:51.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

01/09/2009 12:59:19 AM · #12

That radio popper looks interesting. Simple enough to control the alien bees, but I use 2 pentax speedlights as optical slaves for my rebel xt. Can i adjust power levels on the pentaxflash with the commander?

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/09/2009 01:11:16 AM · #13

Originally posted by dmadden:

Yes, you can use the commander mode. Basically how the unit works is it transcribes the flash signal into radio signal which it sends to the receiver which then emits the pulses via it's own IR emitter.
ETA: If you use a commander module, you will also be able to use E-ttl and high speed sync as well.

Message edited by author 2009-01-09 01:12:33.

spiritualspatula

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/09/2009 01:16:25 AM · #14

Originally posted by soup:

500 feet is pretty good for wifi, and you'd just need to encrypt the signal.,..

have you heard of the eyefi ?

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:
Both wifi and bluetooth have similar range problems (unless you build a cantenna for your flash and camera. ha!). They also would have the potential for lots of interference from all the other devices that utilize them.

Yeah, I had seen the eyefi. I had read range interruptions occurred at only 20 feet and that a 6mb photo took around a minute to upload when you were only a couple feet away. You can get the d-link booster, but that's 50 more dollars and not sure how much more range you achieve...

Edited typo

Message edited by author 2009-01-09 01:21:32.