Dano Loc: North Carolina

Has anyone had any experience with the PIXEL King Wireless Radio E-TTL Flash Triggers?

http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Trigger-Flashes-Transmitter-Receiver/dp/B005TQFRTY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=225XYKPIVN4EK&coliid=I2J0C8RWYTLRLR

I recognize that they're not Pocket Wizards or RadioPoppers, but these are also 1/3 the price. Since I don't shoot commercially, I can't justify $600+ for the best, but can definitely swing $200 for a reasonable upgrade.

For reference, I use a Canon 60D and typically shoot with 1-4 strobes. The main is a 580EXII with a 10m TTL cord which gives me on-camera control of flash settings. Additional strobes are manually set and triggered with either Yongnuo RF-603 C3 2.4GHz Wireless Flash Triggers or simple optical triggers. My objective is to do away with the long TTL cord to give me greater freedom of movement.

From what I can tell, the disadvantages of the Pixel Kings are:
- Lower build quality (but apparently still decent)
- No ability to control flash ratios on-camera (would be nice, but is not critical to the way I shoot)
- Cannot mount an on-camera flash on top of the transmitter (I rarely if ever use an on-camera flash)
- Plastic cold shoe under the receivers (a bit worried about this)

I won't list the positives since they seem very consistent with Pocket Wizards and RadioPoppers. Overall, reviews seem quite good.

So again, I not asking if the name brands are better, I know they are, but rather if these would be a reasonable upgrade for what I do.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

I do not have any direct experience, but a friend owns several and is happy with them.
There are problems, naturally, but for the monetary savings, she feels she is still way ahead of what I have invested in my Pocket Wizards.

We discuss this subject often when shooting together and she delights when her Pixel Kings work as well as my PWs, and when they occasionally don't, well she paid far less than I did.

In the "bang for the buck" department, she wins. Her experience to date:
- Two have failed.
- One drains the battery too quickly.
- They seem to have more problems with distance when things are in the way. But 90% of the time she uses them within 10 to 20 feet of the camera and they usually work well.
- Limited flexibilty and ease of use compared to PWs for multi-strobe shots, but that is something that she does often, so... she has borrowed by PWs on three occasions.

If greater certainity of performance is not critical, and you are using them for primarily hobby-oriented activities with relatively infrequent use (as opposed to frequent event photography like weddings), they appear to be a viable alternative. If one fails, you can replace it and still have spent less that buying one PW.

You generally get what you pay for, but why pay more than you need to.

merlin Loc: Alexandria Indiana

I use the yongnuo yn-622 triggers with my Canon 60D They seem to work real well

Dano Loc: North Carolina

Great info. You mirror my concern which is reliability. I like to count on my equipment to actually do what it's suppose to, and when it doesn't, I typically end up not using it. In this case I think it might be worth a try (since I may never be at a point where I can justify Pocket Wizards). I definitely appreciate the feedback... I trust opinions here so much more than Amazon!

Dano Loc: North Carolina

I hadn't seen these, but have generally had good experience with yongnuo equipment (definitely a good bang for the buck). Have you used these enough to have a feel for how well they hold a signal? The Pixel Kings seem to drop their connections at times and need to be reset (especially when switching between manual and ettl mode on-camera). Also, the yn-622 seem to support flash ratios... do you know if that's true? I'd love to hear any other experience you've had with them and what type of shooting/set-up you typically use.

Thanks!!

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

When I shoot portraits, or groups, indoors or out, I use all my flashes on manual, even though I am using Pocket Wizards Flex TT5s. (ETTL models) Why??? Because it is more consistent and outdoors, more reliable. If you already are comfortable using even some of your flash in manual, then my suggestion would be to invest that $200 into a good Sekonic L-358 meter (should be able to find one used for that - or close) so that you would have absolute control with your manual flash. It will even give you the lighting ratio which is easily adjusted with a movement of just a foot or two of one of the lights.

Just my 3 cents worth . . .

Dano Loc: North Carolina

I agree. I use an old Sekonic Analog meter (old school I know, but I've been using it for years) and shoot full manual when possible. In situations where the camera to subject distance varies too much, I'll use ettl on my main (which is why I was looking at these triggers). Not sure if I'm taking the best approach, but it seems to be working. I'll definitely consider whether or not I really need ettl. Besides, a new meter is something that I know I would keep using!!

Thanks, and you make good cents!

merlin Loc: Alexandria Indiana

I am using them with a Canon 60D a Canon 430ex flash a yongnuo 565ex and a sunpack I haven't experienced any signal drops With the 430 and the 565 they will work ratios. The sunpack works ETTl only. So I run that one with a manual vellow trigger piggybacked on top of the 622 that way I can use the camera menu to control the 430 and the 565 I have to set the level on the Sunpack manually at the flash

Larrie Loc: NE Ohio

I second the YN-622. I bought 4 for around $168. They do support ratios and have a better build quality. Good enough to allow you to mount a flash on the unit being used as a transmitter which the Pixel King does not. I did a group photo indoors using two flashes. We finished by going outdoors and I grabed one flash to use for fill. We were over two hundred feet away and I noticed the flash I left behind firing every time I shot. They also support in camera manual power control as long as you have EXII's or Youngnow speedlites.

cdhakl Loc: Townsville, Queensland - Australia

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

try: http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/ once at this site, type: pixel kings into the "Search" window. You should then get a drop down menu, click on: "This Group". Then you will get another screen, on the right side of the screen will be the "Search" radio button and to the right of that button will be "Discussions" and "Pool". Click on the discussions button & you will get probably more info in Pixel Kings than you want / need to know. Every thing regarding off camera flash (strobism) has been asked & answered on Strobist.Com at one time or another.

While there, search for Yong Nuo (sp?), radio poppers, pocket wizards, Cactus V5, etc. All have been used & reviewed by someone on STROBIST & the data is archived for you to "mine".........................

Curt H.

merlin Loc: Alexandria Indiana

I have four of them too so far very impressed with them. I am getting ready to purchase my second yongnuo flash I have the 565 ex I am going to add the 468II . Since I have some Vello
freeware manual triggers They will piggyback on the 622's perfect
I fire my Sunpac flash with them