Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Is anyone using Aputure's Gigtube Wireless II ?

(The latest version of Apurture's wireless remote with a digital TTL display and many other features for DSLRs. It can operate and monitor your DSLR from up to 300 feet away.)

I want one, but since it just came out this year, I'd like to take the Packard Automobile approach and "ask someone who owns one."

Thanks.

PS: Currently $209 for the Canon model GWII-C3 on Amazon; seems too good to be true.

richnash46 Loc: Texas

I am posting this reply because I see you are not getting any responses to your query! I do not have the specific model you refer to but do have and use another Apurture wireless release model that shares many of the features of the model you ask about and I have been very happy with its performance. Shop around as the unit I purchased only cost about $25 if I remember correctly, it has been a while since I bought it. I definitely think you can find the one you want for a lot less than $209!

Cheers,

;)

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

Does your $25 model have a moniter to view what you are shooting?

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

Was going to order one of these but seems that company has a shaky reputation..I don't know Saw them for like $170 but scared of company rep.

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

I found them on sale on Amazon, maybe that's a good thing? They also seem to have a connection with Adorama, you might check them, also.

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Thanks! I'll check that out.

There are very few reviews on the web, and those seem to be positive, but they are all not much more than a description of the product, not reviews of how well the product works.

Alternative products that do basically the same things cost $1,000 and up, so this model is bound to have some downsides.

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Thanks Danilo. I've not had a problem finding them on the net, but I've been looking for an objective review so I don't have to find out the hard way... I have a need for a product like this and it seems like such a useful product (especially for birders!) that I'm surprised no one has done a comprehensive and objective review. It's been around for several years too.

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Thanks. I have not found references to the company's rep, but I ws only searching for the product. Maybe I need to widen my search. Thanks again.

richnash46 Loc: Texas

No

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

Thats the difference in price, the one we are looking for has a monitor so you can actually see what your lens is seeing plus a shutter release. That way you could set camera on tripod near a bird feeder , go in the house and watch remote monitor to see when bird was in front of lens!

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

Just ordered one!

jcradford Loc: Shoreview Minnesota

Ok, I'm a satisfied user of this unit, which needs some clarification. First, compare apples ... The $200+ unit on Amazon is the latest design. Its confusing. This Chinese company seems to have some good technology, but its China. Second, I almost sent mine back because the units initially wouldn't link up. Finally, following the directions to a "T" brought success. I havent measured distance, but 300 feet is hopeful, not close to realistic. Try 50-100, max. Thats enuf for me. Next, be sure to get the right unit for your camera. Different cables. Mine is a Canon 7D. Problem is Live View on this camera shuts down in just over a minute. There is optionally the transmitter's pinhole camera, but it displays a wide angle reference quality image, not quite what the camera sees. Finally, I've not yet been successful with video pass-thru. Its a new feature for "selected" cameras ... Supposedly Canons. I sent the company an inquiry, which they spell as enquiry! Otherwise, this Gigtube works for stills as advertised, it hunts for focus, unless you choose to pre-focus, and handles rapid-fire for wildlife fine. No zoom control or pans ... Thats much pricier stuff. I bought it to setup for low and high views, unobtrusive close gear for wildLife, and as a monitor / trigger for a jib. Video would be great if it works ... But there may be an issue with the 7D infra-red link. Dunno. Build and fit seem ok, cheapo plastic body, nice sun shade on receiver, compact, lower-end image quality, but its ok as a reference monitor. I won't use mine with more than one camera, but this could monitor and trigger four if you bought extra transmitters. When it comes down to a unit with a remote trigger plus a monitor, there are cheaper, and much more expensive, higher-quality and cabled or wireless ways ... But maybe not as convenient or compact. Time will tell. I could also envision a client holding the pocket-able receiver to monitor a shoot. Its just not color or resolution quality. If its a bear on a salmon stream I'd rather he eat the salmon or camera, not me,

jcradford Loc: Shoreview Minnesota

Follow to prior msg ... I got the video working. On the Canon 7D it's a simple matter of activating the remote sensor on the grip of the camera by selecting either of the self-timers thru the AF-Drive. Set the camera to AV, and don't plug in the data cable from the Gigtube transmitter. This resolves a major issue I had with this unit, assuming now I can live with a two-minute "Live View" limiter, which is a Canon issue, not the remote trigger technology.

Foggy Loc: Near Oxford Uk

I've just bought one of these from ebay for £60 new. It is not the version II so does not have some of the functions but otherwise looks identical. It is basically a remote wireless shutter release with a 3.5 inch display which shows whatever is displayed on the camera. This is going to be very useful, it works fine on my D7000 which because of the fixed screen makes framing low and awkward angled shots a bit tricky. So far I'm really pleased with it and well worth the money.

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Thanks jcradford. This proived to be a very good tip and saved me a lot of time and frustration. Thanks again!