PocketWizard FlexTT5 and 580exII RF Issues?

[justsomedude]

Does anyone here have experience with PWs FlexTT5 and the 580exII?  I'm looking at moving into remote ETTL, but have seen some reviews where range was severely limited due to high RF interference from the 580. 

Granted, I'd probably eventually get the AC7 RF hard-shields, just because that horizontal mount configuration is awesome for umbrellas, but I'd still like to hear some real world experiences.  Thanks!

[scottkinfw]

I  have gone with this setup using two 580 EEII's.  I found that the system may occasionally fail to fire and that distance is compromised without the hard case.  The hard case solved the issues, and as you point out, it is good for the direct line aiming at the center of an umbrella.The soft sleeve that comes with the units is a hassle.  I highly recommend the case for the RF issue-too bad we have to pay for it.

[Viggo]

Pleeeaaassse don't!!!

I will shorten your life with ten years trying to get them to work.

Buy the Phottix Odin at a third of the cost, more functions and best of all, they just work.

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I continue to ba amazed at how they could put it on the market when it had a range of 40 ft with Canon's top of the line Flash.  They must have known this.  Then, there was one fix after another, shields, modifying the flash to add capacitors, then flashes failing.  That shield will insulate a flash, and heat dissapation is a problem without it, if you use a flash really hard, its life will drastically diminish due to overheating, and this makes it even worse.

They continue to make excuses that they had no choice about RF frequency, while other manufacturers use other frequencies and have units that work well.

Those shields should have been a temporary fix while they redesigned the unit, but they continue to supply klutzy shields.

Also, do not expect it to work with any new flash that Canon releases.  It might, but then again, it might not. 

I have stayed far away from them.

[wickidwombat]

If anyone wants a good cheap reliable option that doesnt do TTL I got a brand off ebay called D-SLRkit they were about $40 for 4 recievers and a hotshoe trigger, I use them when i want to combine my elinchrom strobes with the 580s they are reliable and work well they even have built in umbrella holders. much cheaper than buying elinchrom recievers to fire the 580s

[TonyY]

Pixel King for ETTL and FCM (flash control menu). and 1/3 of the cost of Odin.

[wickidwombat]

Pixel King for ETTL and FCM (flash control menu). and 1/3 of the cost of Odin.

i've heard of people having problems with the pixel king
the only system i havent heard problems from is the odin

[sneekerp]

Pleeeaaassse don't!!!

I will shorten your life with ten years trying to get them to work.

Buy the Phottix Odin at a third of the cost, more functions and best of all, they just work.

Where are you finding the Odin for 1/3 of the PW's?

[Maui5150]

I think the confusion is that it was supposed to be stated 30% cheaper, not 1/3rd the price. 

Then again with all my Pocket Wizard gear, I have never paid full price.  The Mini TT1 and Flex TT5 I paid on sale $160 and $185 respectively.  I just added in two Pocket Wizard Plus IIs for $130.  That is total, not a piece. 

My current outlay is MiniTT1, FlexTT5 and 4 Pocket Wizard Plus IIs for about $750

There is something to be said for availability, whether it is on the used market, borrowing from a fellow photographer, or tracking down when traveling.  Something tells me I am more likely to find a Pocket Wizard than an Odin.

[briansquibb]

I have the 580EXII on the camera and all the off camera speedlights are 580EX (OK - I prefer them). Not had any problems yet, although I dont use them at their range limit - perhaps only 50ft.

[bycostello]

where u based?  I'm in UK and they are on a different frequency here, and so no problems....  the USA different kettle of fish...

[Viggo]

Pleeeaaassse don't!!!

I will shorten your life with ten years trying to get them to work.

Buy the Phottix Odin at a third of the cost, more functions and best of all, they just work.

Where are you finding the Odin for 1/3 of the PW's?

The PW's costs 2500 nok's a piece here in Norway, making it 7500 nok's plus the AC3 controller at 900 nok's, total of 8400 nok's = 1401 usd with this minutes rate. And I got the Odin from Dzone2 seller off of ebay for 549 usd... Free shipping also.

On a side note, I tested the ETTL range with the Odin today , 200 meters and it all worked perfect!! I didn't have more space to put between me and the flash, but I'm very sure it will work for longer than that... THE perfect system....

[red5]

Does anyone here have experience with PWs FlexTT5 and the 580exII?  I'm looking at moving into remote ETTL, but have seen some reviews where range was severely limited due to high RF interference from the 580. 

Granted, I'd probably eventually get the AC7 RF hard-shields, just because that horizontal mount configuration is awesome for umbrellas, but I'd still like to hear some real world experiences.  Thanks!

I have 2 FlexTT5, 1 MinTT1, and 2 PlusIIs.  The PlusIIs never gave me a problem.  The 580EXII does give me problems some times on the FlexTT5s.  It comes with the "Sock" and I don't like using it, as it blocks all the controls.  That shouldn't matter as I use it for ETTL,  BUT sometimes I want a quick adjustment on the swivel head.  I ended up using my 430EXIIs and they work like a champ.  Never had a misfire yet with the 430EXIIs.  One suggestion that works better for the 580EXIIs that my friend Edmond said he uses.  Using the the Canon Off Shoe cable.  It adds some distance between the Flex and the wizard.  With that solution, he says he never had a problem since, and since its a cable, he still gets ETTL functionality.  I will try that next.

[kennykodak]

i have PW mini and flex's
junk
i have multiple 580 EX2's
more junk
they only work for me when they can see each other,
what's the point?

[briansquibb]

where u based?  I'm in UK and they are on a different frequency here, and so no problems....  the USA different kettle of fish...

I am in the UK