My dilemma: I need a trigger set-up for my flash so I can fire it remotely (off-camera). The question is, what triggers should I get?
I'm mentioned before how I prefer to get wireless radio triggers because I'll most likely end up with them in the long run. However, there are so many different options.
From what I could find, these are the choices for wireless triggers:
- Yongnuo RF-603
This trigger is made by the same company that made my flash. The downside is that it's more expensive than other options (~$32 for 2 transceivers). Also, Yongnuo only made versions for Canon and Nikon, so I had to do some digging to see what was compatible with my Pentax camera.
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/125-flashes-lighting-studio/244818-yongnuo-flash-560iii-radio-trigger-rf-603n.html
According to this, the N3 version, made for Nikon, should work well.
- Yongnuo RF-602
This is the older version of the RF-603 trigger set. It's cheaper (only ~$20), and some say that it works well with Pentax. Unfortunately, I'm finding lots of reports that people find issue with them, such as misfires, not getting full sync-speed*, having to use a rubber band to keep it on the camera hotshoe contacts, etc. While I like the cheaper option that is native to my flash, I'd rather not have to put up with malfunctioning equipment, particularly since the flash is fully manual and would require time to adjust already.
- Cowboy Studio NPT-04
I came across these in a forum post about other triggers. They are reviewed to work fairly well for Pentax, and are also cheap ($20).
http://www.pentaxforums.com/accessoryreviews/cowboystudio-fm-radio-trigger-npt-04.html
- Cactus V5
Expensive for a starter set-up (~$70), but still cheaper than professional triggers like Pocket Wizards. From what I found in forums, they work perfectly with what I need.
- Cactus V4
The predecessor to the V5 triggers. Cheaper ($32), but just as effective (except for the odd misfire). I was actually going to buy these, but there was an issue with Paypal and it didn't go through. Since then I've been exploring more options more in depth.
- Whatever these are
These were suggested by a commenter on a forum post I made back in December. These triggers are extremely cheap and seemingly compatible with my flash. However, they appear to be knockoffs of the RF-602 from some small company in China. These seem enticing, but sketchy.
*Note about sync speed: At this point, I'm still not entirely sure what this is. I believe that it is time between the shutter opening and flash firing. Also, I've been reading that Pentax cameras have a relatively slow sync speed of 1/180 second, which can be limiting to what you can do with your flash. I'll be learning more about this soon in my studies.
Total Time compiling these notes: 1 hour 15 min. This is all information that I've found before in my random perusing of forums and Google searches over the course of a couple months, but I just never made solid notes of my findings.
I'm mentioned before how I prefer to get wireless radio triggers because I'll most likely end up with them in the long run. However, there are so many different options.
From what I could find, these are the choices for wireless triggers:
- Yongnuo RF-603
This trigger is made by the same company that made my flash. The downside is that it's more expensive than other options (~$32 for 2 transceivers). Also, Yongnuo only made versions for Canon and Nikon, so I had to do some digging to see what was compatible with my Pentax camera.
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/125-flashes-lighting-studio/244818-yongnuo-flash-560iii-radio-trigger-rf-603n.html
According to this, the N3 version, made for Nikon, should work well.
- Yongnuo RF-602
This is the older version of the RF-603 trigger set. It's cheaper (only ~$20), and some say that it works well with Pentax. Unfortunately, I'm finding lots of reports that people find issue with them, such as misfires, not getting full sync-speed*, having to use a rubber band to keep it on the camera hotshoe contacts, etc. While I like the cheaper option that is native to my flash, I'd rather not have to put up with malfunctioning equipment, particularly since the flash is fully manual and would require time to adjust already.
- Cowboy Studio NPT-04
I came across these in a forum post about other triggers. They are reviewed to work fairly well for Pentax, and are also cheap ($20).
http://www.pentaxforums.com/accessoryreviews/cowboystudio-fm-radio-trigger-npt-04.html
- Cactus V5
Expensive for a starter set-up (~$70), but still cheaper than professional triggers like Pocket Wizards. From what I found in forums, they work perfectly with what I need.
- Cactus V4
The predecessor to the V5 triggers. Cheaper ($32), but just as effective (except for the odd misfire). I was actually going to buy these, but there was an issue with Paypal and it didn't go through. Since then I've been exploring more options more in depth.
- Whatever these are
These were suggested by a commenter on a forum post I made back in December. These triggers are extremely cheap and seemingly compatible with my flash. However, they appear to be knockoffs of the RF-602 from some small company in China. These seem enticing, but sketchy.
*Note about sync speed: At this point, I'm still not entirely sure what this is. I believe that it is time between the shutter opening and flash firing. Also, I've been reading that Pentax cameras have a relatively slow sync speed of 1/180 second, which can be limiting to what you can do with your flash. I'll be learning more about this soon in my studies.
Total Time compiling these notes: 1 hour 15 min. This is all information that I've found before in my random perusing of forums and Google searches over the course of a couple months, but I just never made solid notes of my findings.