I’ve been using Pocket Wizard Plus II(s) for a few years now and love them. My brother and I have taken two different paths. I’ve gone with the PW(S) and he went with the Cactus/Cowboy style RF triggers. I’ve used his triggers in conjunction with my PW(s) and they work fine. Though at the end of the day, even given the cost difference, I stuck with the PW(s).
Well, after mulling about it and debating about it with myself at length, I’ve decided to leave the PocketWizard brand. I’ve been using just the pair and have not expanded my setup, despite increasing my flash count mainly because I’ve been relying on optical slaving more than RF triggering. It comes down to having to do with how you change the power settings on the flash with the PW+II(s): manually. If I’m 3′ away from the flash… okay, not that big of a deal. If I’m 20′ away from the flash… SIGH that is a long walk and break in shooting.
My original plan was to do a 1:1 replacement of my PW+II(s) with a set of Radio Popper JRX triggers and replace my LP160 with an SB-80DX. However, due to budget constraints and re-allocations, I’m delaying the SB-80DX and staying with my LP160 for the time being, basically, swapping PW+II(s) for RP-JRX(s). I get some monies out of the deal, which is nice, but not enough to get an SB-80DX. The fact that I sold my PW+II(s) used and had monies left over after getting the JRX kit is kinda telling.
For now, I can use the JRX in straight up manual sync mode. However, at some later point in time, I’ll be swapping out the LP160 for something like the SB-80DX and getting the ability to control the flash power remotely.
Given the cost of the receivers, it is still more expensive than a Cactus/Cowboy trigger, but it’s a middle ground, and when the lighting kit swap is completed, it will be more functional.
As a side note, I could always complete my LP160 Hacking Project and just make them work with the JRX. Now wouldn’t that be nice?
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