I love my new ETTL Pocket Wizards!

09/05/2009 09:27:02 PM · #1

I'll let the picture do the talking!

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

09/05/2009 09:40:44 PM · #2

Beautiful work. I only wish that couples would realise that the 300 photos that they want for their bridal couple photos do actually take more than 30 minutes to do properly....so many just have no idea!!! LOL!

PapaBob

Sony Alpha a7 IV

09/05/2009 09:41:20 PM · #3

Thats rally a cool shot, how many flashes were used and where were they placed? I love the effet.

09/05/2009 09:42:41 PM · #4

Originally posted by Judi:

Tell me about it, its my biggest bugbear - next year I am pushing more for couples who want to spend a bit of time making great images. I pitched the idea at this couple earlier in the day and it was them who approached me later in the evening and said " you wanna go try out that idea you had"..

Only took 10 mins of their time but I am sure they will be happy with the result - and its now a potential image for the front of my new brochure.

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

09/05/2009 09:44:39 PM · #5

Originally posted by PapaBob:

Thats rally a cool shot, how many flashes were used and where were they placed? I love the effet.

A single flash fired with a TT5 pocket wizard connected to a Canon 550EX fired by a TT1 on my camera using +3 FEC. It was pitch black where this was taken so I was having a hell of a time trying to focus - in the end I gave them my iPhone, got him to hold it up, locked my focus on the screen and it worked a treat.

Message edited by author 2009-09-05 21:45:21.

PapaBob

Sony Alpha a7 IV

09/05/2009 09:47:09 PM · #6

Originally posted by Simms:

Originally posted by PapaBob:
Thats rally a cool shot, how many flashes were used and where were they placed? I love the effet.

A single flash fired with a TT5 pocket wizard connected to a Canon 550EX fired by a TT1 on my camera using +3 FEC. It was pitch black where this was taken so I was having a hell of a time trying to focus - in the end I gave them my iPhone, got him to hold it up, locked my focus on the screen and it worked a treat.

Really nice choice of background and you did an awesome job setting the scene, I like the tilt also, normally not a big fan of the tilt.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

09/05/2009 09:55:59 PM · #7

Originally posted by Simms:

Hahahaha...I know that feeling. I had one couple who booked a 4pm wedding with a 6-30 reception. They arrived at the ceremony at 5-30pm. The sun was gone by 6-15pm..so all the bridal shots were done in pitch dark. I could not see a thing through the camera and had to rely on Barb to tell me when to fire (she was holding the slave flash and could see the group much clearer than I). So I would pose them and she would tell me when they were set. Damn ridiculous. The only other light source around was one tiny solar light in the garden...they were completely surrounded by large shrubs...pitch black...not even a moon. But the shots worked....phew!

MattO

Nikon D4

09/05/2009 10:12:07 PM · #8

Simms....can I ask how using the new ones would make that shot any easier? I can see that shot done with just a couple of adjustments on a manual flash fired by ebay triggers(if they actually fired!LOL) I would think there would be many better examples of shots that using the ETTL pocket wizards would do much better showing their worth. Especially considering you had to go +3EC so I would assume you had to do several shots to determine that you needed that to get the shot. The only difference being you didn't have to walk and push a button on the flash?

I don't discount the fact that you love them and they are good, I question the shot you used to show that they did work. I would imagine you have done enough backlit shots like that you can guess within a stop of so and then make one adjustment and be also get the shot.

Matt

LVicari

Canon EOS-50D

09/05/2009 11:48:14 PM · #9

I really need to see you work those triggers in the daylight. Don't they sync up to 1/8000 of a sec? That's nuts!

LVicari

Canon EOS-50D

09/05/2009 11:51:33 PM · #10

Originally posted by Judi:

This is the reason I have given up on weddings( for now). THey want some serious shots but then they tell you that there is no time "we need to get back and drink". IDIOTS!

09/05/2009 11:56:15 PM · #11

Originally posted by LVicari:

Originally posted by Judi:
Beautiful work. I only wish that couples would realise that the 300 photos that they want for their bridal couple photos do actually take more than 30 minutes to do properly....so many just have no idea!!! LOL!

This is the reason I have given up on weddings( for now). THey want some serious shots but then they tell you that there is no time "we need to get back and drink". IDIOTS!

Yup.....they don't seem to realise...they will have memories of the drinks the next day only (in most cases, except when the bride wakes up in the morning with the best man...yup...it has happened to one of my brides), whereas photos last a lifetime. Or when brides seem to think they have to consummate the wedding within the photo hours because the groom will be too drunk later...yeah....where are the priorities nowadays!!!

09/06/2009 05:11:56 AM · #12

Originally posted by MattO:

. I would imagine you have done enough backlit shots like that you can guess within a stop of so and then make one adjustment and be also get the shot.

Matt

LOL, as much as I would all like you to think its skill, most of my good shots are governed by pure luck and chance.

09/06/2009 05:57:47 AM · #13

Originally posted by Judi:

You and your crazy Redneck friends eh? I guess its lonely out there in the outback.

09/06/2009 07:26:17 AM · #14

Originally posted by Simms:

Originally posted by Judi:

Yup.....they don't seem to realise...they will have memories of the drinks the next day only (in most cases, except when the bride wakes up in the morning with the best man...yup...it has happened to one of my brides),

You and your crazy Redneck friends eh? I guess its lonely out there in the outback.

Hahahaha...not quite...it was actually quite difficult to get that particular wedding couple to even touch each other in the photos...let alone kiss each other....and to this day they are still married...don't ask me how....but absolutely no children in their plans....go figure! And it was one of the most expensive and lavish weddings in the area!!! Talk about wanting to make the social pages!!

njsabs

09/06/2009 12:05:28 PM · #15

I just got the same Wizards. I do like them very much:

The last two images were shot in the middle of the day with the sync at 1/640. I have had some trouble with erratic behavior from them.....if you don't turn them on and off in a particular order they don't always flash properly. Lessoned learned while shooting a wedding....boy did I feel stupid and embarassed. 8O).

09/06/2009 12:51:04 PM · #16

Originally posted by njsabs2323:

I just got the same Wizards. I do like them very much:

The last two images were shot in the middle of the day with the sync at 1/640. I have had some trouble with erratic behavior from them.....if you don't turn them on and off in a particular order they don't always flash properly. Lessoned learned while shooting a wedding....boy did I feel stupid and embarassed. 8O).

Also, a problem the North Americans need to be aware of are the problems with the Canon 580s. In a nutshell, when a 580 recharges its capacitors (I think) the frequency it kicks out is the same as the ones used by the Pocket Wizards causing MAJOR problems - thankfully the European ones run on a completely different frequency. Which makes a change us actually getting something better for a change - although we are still waiting for Pixars UP to be released over here goddammit.

Message edited by author 2009-09-06 12:51:41.

ace flyman

09/06/2009 12:56:46 PM · #17

I picked up the mini TT1 and TT5's to use on my strobes. I love the ability to shoot wide open at F2.8 to get the back ground blurred. Tested on the 420ex works great and I hear the 430ex's have no problem, but here in the states I've read a ton on what Simms said about the 580ex II.

njsabs

09/06/2009 03:02:28 PM · #18

Originally posted by ace flyman:

Well.....I have a major problem with using the 580ex. Something I have been trying to understand where the problem is. I didn't realize that it was possibly the flash unit only....I thought it was a combination of many things. I'll have to do more research.

09/06/2009 03:53:57 PM · #19

Originally posted by njsabs2323:

Originally posted by ace flyman:
I picked up the mini TT1 and TT5's to use on my strobes. I love the ability to shoot wide open at F2.8 to get the back ground blurred. Tested on the 420ex works great and I hear the 430ex's have no problem, but here in the states I've read a ton on what Simms said about the 580ex II.

Well.....I have a major problem with using the 580ex. Something I have been trying to understand where the problem is. I didn't realize that it was possibly the flash unit only....I thought it was a combination of many things. I'll have to do more research.

Its a frequency thing - use the PW software to reprogram your TT1 or TT5 - use the lower end of the frequency range for C1 and the upper end for C2 - then see how you get on. I know a lot of US users are trying to source the european ones due to the different frequency used - however I am not sure what IS using those frequencies in the US so it may cause a whole lot of different issues.

I believe they are looking to get a different band allocated for the PWs and this will be fixable via downloadable updates.

njsabs

09/06/2009 08:12:48 PM · #20

I have C1 and C2 set at the same frequency. I will set the frequency's differently and see how I manage. Thanks for the info...I really appreciate it.