What's a good TTL wireless flash trigger ?

[Desmond]

There seem to be quite a few of them around now , I just sold my Nikon SU800 commander so I can get a wireless TTL trigger rather.
Anyone with any experience on the latest gear out there that works well and is decent enough quality ? I see "pixel king" , "Pocket Wizard"[expensive] and "photix" on trademe .

[MikeW]

I've got Phottix Stratto ones. Bought a used pair (transmitter and receiver) off Trademe for $50, then bought a second pair from Photofans for I think $149 new. So I have 2x transmitters and 2x receivers and can use two off-camera flashes or use on trigger for shutter and the other for flash. They don't do iTTL as the newer models do.

[Desmond]

I've got Phottix Stratto ones. Bought a used pair (transmitter and receiver) off Trademe for $50, then bought a second pair from Photofans for I think $149 new. So I have 2x transmitters and 2x receivers and can use two off-camera flashes or use on trigger for shutter and the other for flash. They don't do iTTL as the newer models do.

I've done a little research since asking this question and apparently technology hasn't advanced as fast as I thought . It appears that only
the pocket wizards do wireless TTL . Even the Phottix Stratto II doesn't seem to do wireless TTL , it only has a TTL bypass on the hotshoe mount
so that if you have an on-camera flash it can do TTL while you control other flashes manually [?] .

[MikeW]

Yes they only do TTL when flash is on camera. Other off camera flashes still have to be AA or M. I thought there were newer models that did iTTL wirelessly(phottix or cactus or someone), but maybe it was only pocket wizard

[Desmond]

Yes they only do TTL when flash is on camera. Other off camera flashes still have to be AA or M. I thought there were newer models that did iTTL wirelessly(phottix or cactus or someone), but maybe it was only pocket wizard

And I just sold my SU800 to buy one . Never mind I can use one of the SB800's as a commander or the D90 built in flash - not that I do much off camera wireless flash but that's been mainly because of the quirks of IR control .

[rjd]

wireless ttl is nice but most times people use flash they are working manual mode unless it is run & gun.

[Desmond]

wireless ttl is nice but most times people use flash they are working manual mode unless it is run & gun.

I think that is mainly because wireless TTL has not been available
If it was always available I think most people would work in TTL mode .

[rjd]

Not sure about that Desmond.

TTL is great for changing conditions but you get a lot more control and flexibility with manual.

[Desmond]

you get a lot more control and flexibility with manual.

.... in any type of photography , and I agree with that . But with normal photography and on camera flash most people use auto modes .... because they
are readily available . If wireless TTL was always available a doubt there would be as many people using manual flash .
How many people use manual mode for on camera flash ?

[Arthurhh]

I have a pair of Pixel King ones for my Canon. Most of my flash work is big wide area work and they are great, 3 flashes 1 on camera and two remote, makes a warehouse of equipment a lot easier to shoot, but it is still manual not ettl.

[rjd]

Hopefully everyone?

Any auto mode on canon makes it anightmare..

[Arthurhh]

Hopefully everyone?

Any auto mode on canon makes it anightmare..

Sorry your fishing license has expired so I am not biting today

[SteveB]

Your Pixel Kings should be capable of full TTL if you can control your flash from the on camera menu. It replicates all of the hotshoe signals in both directions. Unfortunately for me, my Nissin flash can't be controlled by the 50D menu, otherwise they'd be useful.

Desmond, I would expect that the Nikon Pixel King will do what you want but haven't looked at the finer points.

[Arthurhh]

Your Pixel Kings should be capable of full TTL if you can control your flash from the on camera menu. It replicates all of the hotshoe signals in both directions. Unfortunately for me, my Nissin flash can't be controlled by the 50D menu, otherwise they'd be useful.

Desmond, I would expect that the Nikon Pixel King will do what you want but haven't looked at the finer points.

You may be actually right, I am the victim of my assumption, so I must check this out my YougNuo works fine on the hot shoe, but I haven't checked if I can control it from the camera menu. Well guess that is my target test for tonight

[Desmond]

Your Pixel Kings should be capable of full TTL if you can control your flash from the on camera menu. It replicates all of the hotshoe signals in both directions. Unfortunately for me, my Nissin flash can't be controlled by the 50D menu, otherwise they'd be useful.

Desmond, I would expect that the Nikon Pixel King will do what you want but haven't looked at the finer points.

I think you're right ! not sure how I missed them on trademe .