I am about to buy a pocket wizard. I was told the multi max will synch up to 1000 of a second in fast mode.  I would rather buy the less expensive plus II but it only synchs to 250th of a second. Anyone out there have these and how do you like them? Thanks in advance.

What is your camera capable of?

I have the 5D and when using my synch cord with the hensel porty 1200b, it synchs fine at 500. I haven't tried it any higher.

Your camera is rated for a sync speed of 1/250th (whcih is a common speed).  You can read all the specifications here:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos30d/page2.asp

It doesn't surprise me that you are able to sync at 1/500th with your studio strobes.  There is just no guarantee that you will be able to do it with all equipment (and in fact, I would venture that you cannot do it with all equipment).

So your question is whether you will be able to push your camera to sync at a right higher than specified by the manufacturer if you go with the Pocket Wizard Max rather than the Pocket Wizard Pro II?  The answer is that your guess is as good as mine.  If you can do it with a sync cord with your lights, you can probably do it with the Pocket Wizard Max.   

The problem is, absent a lab to do some precise testing, we don't know by, how much, you are actually squeaking by when syncing up.  It has to be very close.

The real answer is that the Pocket Wizard Max is not going to allow you to sync any faster than a hard wired sync cord.  Whether it will trigger fast enough to let you get away with pushing your camera beyond the manufacturer's specifications is anyone's guess.

Thank you very much for all your help. Love your pictures too.

I use three of the Pocket Wizard Plus II's with my 5D on both my studio lighting as well as with a pair of Canon 580EX strobes for location work.  I love them.

I've never attempted syncing them up any higher than 1/200s though.

--Loren--

Just curious what you are shooting that you need to sync at higher than 1/250?   Are you wanting some fill on a bright sunny day with your lens wide open?

I use the Plus IIs and like them a great deal, but 1/125 is the max I get out of the 5D when I'm wireless.

I shoot a lot at the beach and on bright sunny days using the sun to back light, I love the look of the 500 shutter speed at around 5.6. Thanks everyone for your input.