PocketWizard, Yongnuo, or Phottix?

[Chris Burch]

I'm planning to expand my speedlite system next year. I like where the Phottix system is headed. I'm thinking about getting the Odin and a couple of Mitros flashes. Does anyone know if the Mitros has the receivers built in or will I have to get the new Mitros +? Any comments/reviews are appreciated. From what I've seen so far, it's a great system.

The Phottix Mitros speedlights don't have the built-in receivers other than optical TTL. The whole point of the Mitros+ is to introduce built-in receivers. That said, the Mitros+ looks to be pretty pricey for a third-party system. I have been using the Phottix Stratos II triggers for over a year now and can't speak highly enough about them, so I'm def a fan of Phottix, but surprised their new flashes are so pricey. You should definitely wait to see how the new YungNuo gear turns out for performance and price. I suspect they will be really well priced and hopefully as (or even more) solid as all of their previous gear.

This is an exciting period because the options for remote control of speedlights pretty much didn't exist at all, and now there are lots of options on the horizon. I'll be making the same decision after the YN release myself. My current setup works great, but I would love to have remote manual power control.

 

[captainkanji]

Cool. Thanks for the input. I'm still planning on the Odin system. The 600RTs are too expensive, so I'll probably get the Mitros or some 580ex used and they seem to be 'medium' priced. I don't have any experience with Yongnuo. Maybe if I get more than 2 speedlites and am low on cash I'll get some. I'm trying to get into Manual more anyway. Thanks again everyone. ;D

 

[privatebydesign]

Cool. Thanks for the input. I'm still planning on the Odin system. The 600RTs are too expensive, so I'll probably get the Mitros or some 580ex used and they seem to be 'medium' priced. I don't have any experience with Yongnuo. Maybe if I get more than 2 speedlites and am low on cash I'll get some. I'm trying to get into Manual more anyway. Thanks again everyone. ;D

Do your maths very carefully.

• Two secondhand 580EX II's will run close to $700, a two receiver one transmitter set of Odins will cost around $350, so approximately $1,050 for third party.
• Two 600EX-RT's can be bought refurb from Canon with one year warranty and free shipping from as little as $400, some have got them for less, and don't forget there is no warranty on your who knows how well used 580's. An ST-E3-RT will run you $300 or so, for a total of $1,100, or $50 or so dollars difference, for a genuine Canon setup fully warrantied and future proofed.

If you already have the 580's the maths is different, but I sold some of my 550's to buy into the RT system because of the small price differential, the five group option, the warranty, the fact that I could trigger my remotes with an on camera fill (not yet possible without a clumsy workaround with the Odins) and a few other niceties.

Like I say, if you are starting a system, do the maths very carefully if you are going for a controllable radio system.

 

[captainkanji]

Yeah. Looks like an Odin with 2 receivers and one Mitros will run me about $700. I already have the 430exII. It's a good starting point for me and is a bit pricey, but I really want the control options. The Canon system is great, I'm sure, but $1000 is definitely above what I'm willing to pay for now. It's still a while off, as I want to try and get a new 15 Macbook Retina. Gotta work more of that overtime

 

[surapon]

Dear Sir, Mr. captainkanji
Here are the list of the Flashes that can use with Phottix Odin

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=nl&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fmembers.casema.nl%2Fmmuetstege%2FOdin.html

Enjoy.
Surapon

 

[captainkanji]

Thanks for that link. It looks like pretty much any of the current Canon will work. The Mitros isn't listed though. The article was probably done before the Mitros was introduced. Phottix's official web site says that all of the Mitros flashes are compatible. The Mitros will also require a receiver. Took some digging as their website isn't very user friendly. Interestingly, most of the Yongnuo's don't work. I'm looking forward to getting some off camera practice next Spring/Summer.

 

[ScottyP]

I just picked up 3 Phottix Mitros+ units for $319.95. Adorama had a super quick sale and dropped the price from $399.95. It must have been a very fast sale and it sold out almost immediately. They are back ordered so it will be 2 weeks before I get them.

Pretty excited about the built in transmitter/receiver.

 

[surapon]

Thanks for that link. It looks like pretty much any of the current Canon will work. The Mitros isn't listed though. The article was probably done before the Mitros was introduced. Phottix's official web site says that all of the Mitros flashes are compatible. The Mitros will also require a receiver. Took some digging as their website isn't very user friendly. Interestingly, most of the Yongnuo's don't work. I'm looking forward to getting some off camera practice next Spring/Summer.

Dear Sir, Mr. Captainkanji.
One thing = Less than 50 US Dollars that you must have , when you Have Phottix Odin -= Rouge 3-1 Grid.
Please go to see my comment at the Link below, This Rogue will change your life as I did 8 months ago.

http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=17756.0

Have FUN, Sir,
Surapon

 

[jdramirez]

I had a set of the yongnuo 622c's... and I'm not sure if it was a problem from day one, but one of the devices didn't respond well with ettl and only worked as a manual trigger... but when I had the other on, I had full ettl control. More of an annoyance than a problem.

I returned them... got a new set that works... so just be careful if you expect 100% consistency and reliability.

 

[scottkinfw]

+1

If you are doing it for money the 600-EX-RT, it is well worth the money. I have not had a single flash failure or misfire in a year of shooting with them. Buy once, future proof yourself, get the 600's and don't look back.

 

[steen-ag]

I use Phottix Odin with 3 receivers. It's perfect that you can set every thing in your Canon flashes, just entering the parameters on the back of Odin.

 

[surapon]

I use Phottix Odin with 3 receivers. It's perfect that you can set every thing in your Canon flashes, just entering the parameters on the back of Odin.

Dear Friend, Mr. Steen-ag.
Please do not forget to up-date Phottix Odin Firmware V 1.24

http://journal.phottix.com/photo-accessory-news/phottix-odin-canon-firmware-update/

Enjoy.
Surapon

 

[wickidwombat]

I'm planning to expand my speedlite system next year. I like where the Phottix system is headed. I'm thinking about getting the Odin and a couple of Mitros flashes. Does anyone know if the Mitros has the receivers built in or will I have to get the new Mitros +? Any comments/reviews are appreciated. From what I've seen so far, it's a great system.

I'm going to pick up a couple of mitros+ flashes in the next week or so when they are available so i'll have some feedback a little while after that. the mitros with no + do not have the receivers built in

 

[wickidwombat]

I use Phottix Odin with 3 receivers. It's perfect that you can set every thing in your Canon flashes, just entering the parameters on the back of Odin.

Dear Friend, Mr. Steen-ag.
Please do not forget to up-date Phottix Odin Firmware V 1.24

http://journal.phottix.com/photo-accessory-news/phottix-odin-canon-firmware-update/

Enjoy.
Surapon

interesting the are advertising the higher speed sync function now with studio lights even though they have been able to do this for a while now as an undocumented feature

 

[blanddragon]

I too use a Phottix Odin with three remotes on my 430EX IIs. It works great and I don't have any issues. Battery life is excellent and I have yet to have any range issues I've had with other systems. It just works for me. Very happy with them.

 

[surapon]

I use Phottix Odin with 3 receivers. It's perfect that you can set every thing in your Canon flashes, just entering the parameters on the back of Odin.

Dear Friend, Mr. Steen-ag.
Please do not forget to up-date Phottix Odin Firmware V 1.24

http://journal.phottix.com/photo-accessory-news/phottix-odin-canon-firmware-update/

Enjoy.
Surapon

interesting the are advertising the higher speed sync function now with studio lights even though they have been able to do this for a while now as an undocumented feature

Yes, Sir, Dear Mr. wickidwombat

"ods is Overdrive Sync, a new beta function in the latest firmware. This function allows triggering delay times to be set on an Odin TCU. This can allow an increase in sync speed over standard X-Sync when using studio lights. Don’t get too excited – a number of variables come in to play: Your camera, the studio light, the power level and flash duration of the studio light can all effect the ods function. What works with one brand and model and studio light may not work with another.

A new menu has been added to the Odin – this will allow a triggering delay (in milliseconds) to be set. This takes experimentation to find the “sweet spot” in your set-up."

Yes, You are right on the target, Old News---But they try to make with all Brand name Studio lights.
Have a great day , Sir.
Surapon

 

[Old Shooter]

personally i use phottix odins

they are not the cheapest but they are the best
the transmitter unit has a really nice large intuitive display screen on the back which lets you control all your flash functionallity and groups etc

they also allow high speed sync with studio strobes this is an undocumented feature but still pretty cool
one cool thing with this is you dont need the expensive odin recievers on the studio light you can just use a much cheaper stratto 2!

then you can mix speedlights and studio lights and do pretty much whatever you like and control the speedlights from the back of the transmitter, the studio lights you cant control as they are hooked up with the 3.5mm audio jack

Phottix also allows 2nd curtain sync off camera, which the Canon 600's cannot. Can someone explain how a 3rd party company can make a flash that can do that on a Canon camera, but Canon can't??????? ??? ??? ?? ??? ???

Wow, I had no idea the 600EX-RT's wouldn't handle 2nd curtain synch off-camera!

 

[privatebydesign]

Wow, I had no idea the 600EX-RT's wouldn't handle 2nd curtain synch off-camera!

Canon have never supported remote flash second curtain sync, now or in the past, if you haven't missed it so far I don't see why you should miss it in the future.............

It is a feature that is often pointed out as a serious failing of the two Canon remote systems, but who regularly uses it? Seriously, we can all point to an example or two of its use, but who needs it often? (If you are that one or two people please point us to a collection of examples of your uses.)

 

[wickidwombat]

Wow, I had no idea the 600EX-RT's wouldn't handle 2nd curtain synch off-camera!

Canon have never supported remote flash second curtain sync, now or in the past, if you haven't missed it so far I don't see why you should miss it in the future.............

It is a feature that is often pointed out as a serious failing of the two Canon remote systems, but who regularly uses it? Seriously, we can all point to an example or two of its use, but who needs it often? (If you are that one or two people please point us to a collection of examples of your uses.)

no remote second curtain sync is a deal breaker for me
here are some examples

 

[wickidwombat]

heres some more
all unprocessed raws just converted to jpg