lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

I currently have Vello Freewave Fusion Pro system: A transmitter and 2 receivers for Nikon
On the plus side: Everything works . . . at least most of the time.
On the down side: The switches are a pain to set the correct channel and group. The system has no capacity for high speed sync, which I probably do not need but would be nice to have. It was hard to tell what position(s) the switches are finally placed in. I am told Vello products are model specific - - - so the Vello Freewave Fusion Pro will not work with the Vello Basic or any other model.

I would like to get a 3rd receiver. It is currently unavailable everywhere I have looked and when in stock will cost $70 from B&H.

I have looked at a Godox system which will do high speed sync, have 3 receivers and a transmitter for around $250. There is a small illuminated screen which seems to make settings easier to establish.

Vello makes a "Captain" system which would run around $300 and have the same components and features as the Godox system above but seemingly has the same crappy switches. The Captain System advertises as working with the receivers I already have - - - although that would provide overkill - - - more receivers than flashes.

Then, there are a myriad of third party systems that claim to work with Nikon but do not seem to offer high speed sync. Pocket wizard is a luxury I would rather not get involved with. This is a hobby, not a business for me.

Any and all advice would be appreciated - - - especially regarding reliability and durability.

uhaas2009

If you have Nikon and Nikon flashes than use the pop up flash as your trigger. If you don’t have a pop up flash than use something like that https://www.adorama.com/nksu800.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAnO2MBhApEiwA8q0HYdejO4yfUsMdsN5Tee5P0Osnj2ApIqwtrsQmAFue1hPmXnezQK_O9xoC54MQAvD_BwE&gclid=CjwKCAiAnO2MBhApEiwA8q0HYdejO4yfUsMdsN5Tee5P0Osnj2ApIqwtrsQmAFue1hPmXnezQK_O9xoC54MQAvD_BwE&utm_source=adl-gbase-p-photo

Or use an other Nikon flash as trigger on camera.

Nikon flash needs to be seen each other to trigger remotely because of the 433 MHz remote.
Flashpoint/godox have built in 433 MHz and 2.4 ghz remote frequency which can be used with Nikon (it’s a pain in a....too)
It’s better to change to flashpoint what made my life way easier vs Metz, Nikon and pocked wizards

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

Thank you uhass. I would like to avoid using “light” to activate the external flashes (either from Commander mode or a flash itself). They work, but as you say the light needs to be “seen” by the other unit(s) so i question effectiveness at distance and behind objects.

ALam

Even though you indicated that you would not consider PocketWizard but I wonder whether you reconsider the current system that includes 2 TT5 Transceivers, 1 TT! Transmitter, and 1 AC3 that I would sell the whole set for $250. I was trying to setup a home studio to take pictures of my wife and my sisters but they prefer pictures from a professional studio that would photoshop out all of their blemishes. If you are in Orange County, CA, I could meet you to try out the system. I have not thought about selling it, until someone really needs it. I thought I would need this system when I setup for macro photography after my retirement. FYI, I am just an engineer, not a professional photographer, and I prefer to buy the best, buy once, that I could afford. I have 2 SB-800 to use with PocketWizard that I might need to sell also. The SB-800 has more power with a fifth battery than SB-5000 but SB-800 would flash but not automatically zoom with a Z6. I currently use SB-5000 with my Z6. Albert

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

[quote=ALam]Even though you indicated that you would not consider PocketWizard…

I am retired (highly recommended) in Wisconsin so the trip to California would be a bit extreme.😉
Your offer is more than fair, but there are a few problems:
- unless I am missing something, the pocket wizard models you have do not support high speed shutter flash. I do not know how often I would use it, but I would like to “play”.
- These are gadgets that fail; and the warranty offered to a new product is attractive.

Two suggestions:
Even if you can’t change your wife or sisters minds, learning Photoshop well enough to do portrait post processing (or using applicable dedicated software) is not very hard. If you use PS you can join the wonderful world of compositing. Retirement offers time you never knew you had.

I do macro photography and use a constant light source. Consistency is vital for when I have to combine numerous layers.

Thanks for responding; and best of luck and happiness in your post-work life.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I have a set of five Pocket Wizards (older version, used with my White Lightning flash units) which are very reliable. If interested, please PM me. Currently I use Nikon's wireless system with my Nikon Sb 5000 flash units. More recently, I purchased two Elinchrom One units and use their proprietary controller which handles HSS as well. Lots of good options. Best of luck.

ALam

Thank you for your suggestions. Photoshop is amazing and it will keep me busy in my retirement with my other long list of things to do.

Regarding high speed shutter flash, you might be right but I had not tried it and it is good to know. Is the speed faster than 1/200?

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Big fan of Yongnuo YN-622N. Reliable and available used for about $25 per unit. Control via radio so the range is about 300 feet and work around corners. Support high speed flash.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Did you look at Radio Poppers?

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

Happy thanksgiving to you too.

Support for high speed flash will support up to the highest shutter speed the camera can produce. The trade off, according to the “CreativeLive.com” course I am in the midst of watching, is that Flash power is reduced because the flash compensates by firing repeated rapid bursts. In any event, it is useful for capturing and precisely lighting action in bright sunlight.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

I also would recommend Pocket Wizards. I shoot Canon, but the TT5 setup with the AC3 controller is a workhorse and seamlessly slips into HSS and out based on your shutter speed. Three groups with off, manual or TTL switching and easy dial exposure in a compact body. You can use a TT1 or another TT5 with the AC3 on your camera. I use some non-TTL PW triggers also and new or old, everything is compatible.

Ltgk20 Loc: Salisbury, NC

As it has been indicated, there are many ways to get where you want. I will throw a recommendation for Godox/Flashpoint. The stuff just works and they've got flashes and strobes from under $100 to 1200 watt seconds and everything in between. It's also all system agnostic so you can switch most things at will.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I do not want to seem reactionary as to automation in flash synchronization and exposure BUT, right here on this forum I constantly read about folks having issues with some of these more complex control and command systems. There seems to be some much messing around with that hardware to get it to work properly that it seems to me it would disrupt the smooth flow of shooting of various kinds of sessions or assignments where reliable operation of multiple flash systems or setups is required, especially when working is restrictive time frames.

I have been using multiple flashes for many decades, in the studio, in various locations, and at both slow and fast paces events- portray sessions, sports events, weddings, industrial sites, etc. All I ever used was a reliable radio-based slave system- Pocket Wizard, since the 1980s and in manual, auto and TTL settings. Even in manual operation, I have no problems in exposure determinant buy means of meter readings, guide number and certain instinctive, and/or pre-determined settings for known or estimated distances. I can easily set up ratios and a wide variety of lighting scenarios.

Unless I am mistaken, HHS can be accomplished with independent units triggered by radio slaves. If I am wrong, I am sure there are Pocket Wizard units that can accommodate that specific requirement as well as routine operation within the synch range of most digital cameras.

Because of the small size of most of these flash trigger accessories, unfortunately, the control switches are small and comparatively fragile. I keep my Pocket Wizard switches clean and lightly lubricated and have had a reliable performance for years- never blew a switch a rarely missed a shot de to synchronization failure.

CO

Anyone using PocketWizards that support TTL metering should download the PocketWizard Utlilty and update the firmware. PocketWizard TTL radios support specific camera models. They update the firmware as new camera models are released.

Their legacy firmware does not work properly with newer cameras such as the Nikon D780, and none of the Nikon mirrorless Z series cameras. I tried using my Mini-TT1 and Flex-TT5 radios with a Nikon D780 and my SB-700 speedlight. I was not able to do flash compensation but that does work with my older Nikon cameras since they are supported by the legacy firmware.

For newer cameras, their new e-release firmware has to be used. I haven't updated to the e-release firmware but I probably will soon.

Download the PocketWizard Utility and update to e-release firmware to support latest cameras

(Download)

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

I am not aware of any simple radio slaves that support HHS, unless they are TTL capable already. But, then I am not looking for any substitutions beyond Pocket Wizards. The TT5 PW's will automatically go into HSS mode based on shutter speed when the AC3 group is set to automatic. The flash needs to be in TTL mode (which I leave it in), but the beauty of it is you can switch any of the 3 groups on the AC3 to manual, automatic or off without touching the flash again. AC3 in manual, the flash will respond to the exposure instructions of the PW without having to change the TTL mode on the flash.

If needed for interiors, I may group other manual exposure flashes or monolights with simple PW's or attach an older Pixel transmitter to a PW for a separate group of manual flashes that gives me another 3 group on/off control.