BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

Thanks very much E.L.. Shapiro for the link. I reviewed it twice and tried to make it work to no avail. I'm not really interested in hard wiring the camera to the AlienBee units I don't want to have anything that I could trip over or have to move around. I did notice that the AlienBee had a phone jack in the back. I'd like the trigger to fire both AlienBees at the same time. I appreciate the effort you have put in to help me out.......thanks!

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

Thanks jdubu.......I may have to buy new compatible triggers that will communicate with each other.

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

Yes, I just didn't show that photo. It's the Yongnuo RF-603C trigger.
Here is a photo with the Yongnuo RF-603C trigger mounted. I may have to buy new triggers that will communicate to fire the AlienBees.

(Download)

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I don't know. I use pocket wizards with my alien bees and no problems

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

I'm not sure about the led light that shows when it's triggered.

CO

You can use the phone jack on the back of the AlienBees with the PocketWizard AC9 and two PocketWizard Flex-TT5 or Flex-TT6 units as described by jdubu on page one. It will allow you to remotely control the AlienBees power level. The PocketWizard Flex units are a little pricey. I have two Flex-TT5's and two Mini-TT1's. The Mini-TT1 is now discontinued.

If you don't need to control the AlienBees power level remotely, you can get a 2-pack of Plus X units and adjust power level with the slider on the AlienBees.

You can trigger the second AlienBee by its photoelectric cell or by attaching another trigger.

I have both the Paul C Buff CyberSync triggers and remotes and the PocketWizard triggers. You can make it work with either system.

PocketWizard Flex-TT5 with PocketWizard AC9 controller

(Download)

2-pack of PocketWizard Plus X units for basic triggering

(Download)

Kenneth Pierce Loc: Campbellsville, Kentucky

Make sure the transmitter and receiver are on the same channel(frequency) if they are compatible.

uhaas2009

The bees have a build in receiver-if you use one of your flash-this can trigger the bees.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Brent, my friend, you need a trigger that works with your specific camera make and model and a receiver that works with that trigger. I do not remember if your lights have a built in receiver, but a quick call to Buff is in order. I have always found them very helpful. Personally, I own a much older set of Buff lights and use a Pocket Wizzard system to trigger them. PM me if you want more info or to talk directly. Best of luck.

CO

That's the photoelectric cell on the back. Any type of flash will trigger it.

MikeT9

Just a silly thought, have you connected the transmitter on the camera with the supplied yongnuo lead. I have the same model that I’ve used with all my canon cameras and to use it as a transmitter you need to connect it to the port on the camera body.

dandev Loc: Enumclaw, WA

Call Paul C Buff. They have very good tech support. (I have 3 Einstein's)

tcthome Loc: NJ

You could probably just get the Goddox trigger/transmitter to match the receivers. Might save you some money.

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

This may be a basic concept that has not been discussed. This applies to RADIO based triggering systems. Obviously, many of these brands of remote triggering systems operate on radio frequencies. These frequencies are assigned for R.C. usage in the U.S. by the Federal Communications Commission and in Canada by the communication branch of Industry Canada. This is done to avoid interference to or from these devices with other radios services. There is a range of frequencies used in these systems are usually in the frequency modulation (FM) High-VHF and UHF spectrums, however, they are all not the exact same frequencies for each brand. Some of these systems have the main frequency and may have several sub-frequencies (channels) to enable individual control of various remote units.

The systems that transmit exposure data is a bit more complex. Since the Alien Bees are manual units with no TTL interphase, any of the popular radio-remote trigger systems should work for simple slave operation. Buff, the maker of the Alien Bees makes a very good and reasonably proceed radio system. I have used it with many kinds of cameras. My main radio-trigger system is the Pocket Wizards. I purchased my first set in 1979 and have added it to the system over the years. I have 2 transmitters and 7 receivers- my old ones and latest ones all operat on compatible frequencies. My models do not transmit TTL exposure data- the latest ones do.

The Godox and other imported units are popular and I am sure they will work with your gear, however, I have no personal experience with them.

The Pocket Wizards are extremely robust and reliable. I have triggered lights on industrial sites from 4 city blocks away- never missed a shot. I have used them in buildings with steel-reinforced concrete walls and they work from one room or floor to another.

The hard-wiring approach only requires only one connection between the camera and one of your flash units. The build-in photocells in the other units will respond to the flash. Most photocell operation, however, is oftentimes not reliable in an out-of-doores situation or where the ambient light is extremely bright.

If you decide to stick with radio-slaves, just make certain that the transmitter and receivers are utilizing the same exact frequencies. Frequences assigned to photo flash slave triggers or usually marked on the units r the packaging as per government regulations. If the radio system you select or use has multiple channels, make sure the transmitter and receiver in use are on the same channel. On some makes and models, the channel selector switch is not on the external body of the units- they are located in the battery compartment or concealed under a door or small sliding panel.

pego101

I have a bunch of those same triggers dont use any more very very very unreliable.
Went with Pocket Wizard triggers work every time.