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Remote wireless manual trigger for off camera speedlight
Jan 5, 2019 17:27:47   #
Cavik
 
I am working on a light painting project and have found a need for a way to wirelessly trigger a speedlight without the camera's help. Basically looking for something that I can hold and be able to push a button to fire a speedlight that is located about 25 feet from the camera. The timing of when the speedlight needs to be triggered will vary as well as the location of the speedlight from shot to shot. Does anyone know of a handhled device that can perform this function?

I have a Canon XTCF-1BRK flash (super low end) and a Photoolex M800C (eTTL speedlight) but I could get another flash if either of these will not work.

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Jan 5, 2019 17:43:29   #
cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA
 
I use Pocket Wizzards for this type of work. You may need to check models to see if your flashes can be supported. Best of luck.

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Jan 5, 2019 18:31:33   #
autofocus Loc: North Central Connecticut
 
if you have to fire the flash in rapid succession you may also want to consider an auxiliary battery pack for your flash. Most flashes need about 5-6 seconds to recharge the unit after each shot...an auxiliary battery pack could reduce that time to about 1-2 second recharge times. However, you will need a speedlight that will have a connector for that, and low end flashes may not

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Jan 5, 2019 18:41:27   #
CO
 
I use various PocketWizard radios - Mini-TT1, Flex-TT5, Plus III, Plus X. They all have a test button. The Mini-TT1 and Flex-TT5 support TTL metering. The Plus III, Plus IV, and Plus X units are trigger only.

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Jan 6, 2019 07:42:14   #
GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan
 
Cavik wrote:
I am working on a light painting project and have found a need for a way to wirelessly trigger a speedlight without the camera's help. Basically looking for something that I can hold and be able to push a button to fire a speedlight that is located about 25 feet from the camera. The timing of when the speedlight needs to be triggered will vary as well as the location of the speedlight from shot to shot. Does anyone know of a handhled device that can perform this function?

I have a Canon XTCF-1BRK flash (super low end) and a Photoolex M800C (eTTL speedlight) but I could get another flash if either of these will not work.
I am working on a light painting project and have ... (show quote)


Whatever type you get, remember that it should be have "group" abilities. That way you can fire several flashes automatically or manually with one group at a time.

My remote is the Apeture (spelling ???), type. I can do four groups at up to quarter mile away from me. When using a fisheye, technically i can space my flashes a half mile apart from each other as long as they are only a quarter mile away from me. You can do this to fire as many cameras and strobes you want.

It great to have the ability to pre setup a cameras and/or strobes to catch an animal that far away.

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Jan 6, 2019 12:14:22   #
RobertH
 
If your looking for simple and inexpensive, take a look at the Phottix Ares set. The transmitter has a test button on it that you can fire the flash with. It’s single group, no-TTL, but only $46 on Amazon.

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Jan 6, 2019 12:30:31   #
GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City
 
RobertH wrote:
If your looking for simple and inexpensive, take a look at the Phottix Ares set. The transmitter has a test button on it that you can fire the flash with. It’s single group, no-TTL, but only $46 on Amazon.


I’ve used Phottix transmitters in the past and despite being fairly low priced, their performance has been rock solid! You can pay alot more that this for a trigger, but for something as simple as the OP describes, why?

Personally, I’m sold on the Godox system of flash and triggers.

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Jan 6, 2019 14:57:30   #
amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
 
Cavik wrote:
I am working on a light painting project and have found a need for a way to wirelessly trigger a speedlight without the camera's help. Basically looking for something that I can hold and be able to push a button to fire a speedlight that is located about 25 feet from the camera. The timing of when the speedlight needs to be triggered will vary as well as the location of the speedlight from shot to shot. Does anyone know of a handhled device that can perform this function?

I have a Canon XTCF-1BRK flash (super low end) and a Photoolex M800C (eTTL speedlight) but I could get another flash if either of these will not work.
I am working on a light painting project and have ... (show quote)


I have a Sekonic L358 Incident/Flash meter that accommodates interchangeable, internal transmitter modules for different radio trigger systems. I have the Pocket Wizard and RadioPopper modules for it. There may be some others to work either with remote triggers or with flash that have built-in radio triggers. I am not familiar with either of the flashes you mention,

The module and meter can do wireless triggering of all flash/strobes or or can fire individual units if they're assigned to separate groups.

The L358 is a discontinued meter, unfortunately. But I see them selling used quite often. The two trigger modules I have weren't hard to find. Other types may be more difficult.

There are current models of Sekonic meters that support the similar modules. For example the L858D works with Elinchrom, Phottix, and PocketWizard systems. I am fairly certain there are Sekonic meters that can also be fitted with modules to serve as radio triggers and controllers. Check out their website.

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Jan 6, 2019 16:26:22   #
TreborLow
 
With my Pentax K3, and two Yongnuo triggers I focus and fire remotely. The trigger on the camera must be attached with a cable to the remote receptacle on the camera. The trigger also fires the flash. Total package was under $100. If your camera has a remote receptacle all you need is the proper connecting cable. Yongnuo has several. Mine is simply a small 3 conductor stereo jack. I think some Canons have a similar receptacle, Nikons are different. Hope this helps.
Bob

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Jan 16, 2019 12:11:27   #
renewag Loc: Oklahoma
 
Here is an inexpensive option. Trigger has a button that you can use to fire up to four flashes. Trigger does not have to be mounted on hot shoe to work.



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