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Cheap radio flash trigger, need your help, PLEASE
I ordered and just received one from China. I thought I'd really got what I'd needed and cheap. The good ones are so expensive. OK so I got it and plugged it in and it doesn't work. It's one of the 4 switch ones if you know what I mean. It is getting signal, red lights flash when you hit test button but it won't trigger the flash. The plugin is correct and I see signal but it doesn't work. Is the power not enough for the flash. Any thoughts or additional questions needing answered to help me out here. Feb 07 08 10:24 pm Link Here's a thought: Don't buy chinese cr*p Feb 07 08 10:25 pm Link Andrew Vorobyov wrote: Thoughtful answer, appreciate your answer. Feb 07 08 10:26 pm Link Need more details. Feb 07 08 10:27 pm Link You are not alone. To use this type I have to use a pc cord; do have a hot shoe adaptor (Sony/Minolta) that will work with my Bowens Triggers but not the inexpensive ones from ebay. Feb 07 08 10:27 pm Link Dig. Plus Photo wrote: I have the 16 channel ones....if the battery in the flash are weak...the transmitter will not fire the flash.Just happen to me yesterday. Feb 07 08 10:27 pm Link used quantums from e-bay. These are old but they work. The II's go very cheap as they are only 2 channel range 200 feet. I got one for $40. Feb 07 08 10:29 pm Link jwb imagery wrote: Camera triggers the transmitter and I've tried both the standard plug it comes with and a pc cord on the flash neither works. Feb 07 08 10:29 pm Link I never bought the ones with the extra switches for channels, but I have bought something like that on ebay and they work fine with my AB's and Photogenics. The ones I bought look just like the one that Alien bees sell. Good luck Feb 07 08 10:30 pm Link I usually try to buy USA products too, if there any left, but the Asian sets for $16 on ebay, $27 shipped to the USA are better than the expensive ones I have used. Love 'em. I have bought two sets and they work great every shot. Feb 07 08 10:33 pm Link Well now I'm wondering if it's because I'm trying to use it with a no name cheap flash I bought off e-bay. Although it works with it's own transmitter. Feb 07 08 10:34 pm Link I've purchased the Y881-B's on Ebay that work just fine. AC power for the receiver is the best. Transmitter fits on hotshoe or a PC cord and has a garage door opener battery (12V). 4 channel choices. They are very cheap. I think the seller makes more on the shipping than the units. I found them at PMA last week at a Chinese booth. They were looking for a distributor but I couldn't swallow the several hundred I would have needed to purchase. Feb 07 08 10:40 pm Link make sure the trigger is compatable with the flash.....if it's the cactus system they have an updated version that works with some of the newer flashes...if it's a noname flash that might be your problem Feb 07 08 10:41 pm Link Andrew Vorobyov wrote: dude im chinese and i dont trust chinese stuff. all chinese stuff are like...one time use only... Feb 07 08 10:44 pm Link Take the plastic off of the batteries, better yet, put new ones in. Seriously. Go to the flickr strobist group and do a search for "poverty wizards" All you'll ever need to know about them. Feb 07 08 10:45 pm Link Yep, need more information. What brand is it? You're pressing the test button on the transmitter, and there's a light on the receiver that lights up? Is your flash firing when it's on the camera hotshoe? Does everything have batteries? Are your batteries still wrapped in plastic? Are the transmitter and receiver set to the same channel? It might be a problem with the camera hotshoe, or the flash, or the wireless system... Feb 07 08 10:46 pm Link D Moreland Photography wrote: What is the catus system, don't think I've heard that before. I think it might be the flash although I know the flash pc works as I've use it as well as a flash trigger on camera. Feb 07 08 10:47 pm Link I bought the TX and RX from White Lightning - made in China 4 channel unit. Didn't work until I purchased new TX batteries. The batteries that came with the unit - some cheap no name Chinese battery, had very littlle juice in them. Working like a charm now  Feb 07 08 10:51 pm Link Figure Photo SF wrote: Camera working fine checked this out several times. Feb 07 08 10:52 pm Link Chin Knutts wrote: The transmitter has a battery that it came with and the receiver requires two "AAA" batteries. These are new and have been checked. Feb 07 08 10:55 pm Link I have a box of hotshoe flashes and some of the 4 channel rx's and a hotshoe tx. They threw in two optical peanut slaves too, which ALWAYS work. Most of the flashes work. The Vivitar Series 1 doesn't. A little digging and I found a trick. Open the back up and tie the ground of the hotshoe to the neg. on the battery. Voila, it works. I also have the same issue with my AB800. It won't fire; so I used the pc cord from the plug on the same modified RX I use with the Vivitar with the AB, and it works too. I read an explanation somewhere that did make sense, but it escapes me now. Probably something to do with a really really low trigger voltage. Oh, and regarding the vendor making money off the shipping ... here is a lil hint: What do you pay in import duties? It's based on the price, not the shipping, right? So it's a tax dodge for the buyer, whether they know it or not. And, yes, they are kinda junky and they probably do make something off shipping, but for $50 I have what I need for now. Until I splurge for the AB's smart triggers. Feb 07 08 10:55 pm Link Make sure you have a fresh battery. I have had trouble with my cheapie rf ebay transmitter with timing vs. times faster than 1/160s, but it has been reliable with a fresh battery. Feb 07 08 10:55 pm Link The battery for the receiver is wrapped in plastic...remove it Feb 07 08 10:58 pm Link I bought 2 transmitters and 4 receivers from ebay. The dealer is from Shanghai. They all work great. BTW, make sure to put batteries in the receiver since it is not included. Be aware, the 16 channel trigger does not have internal antenna built-in, therefore to increase the range you must out antenna in your self. Google it, you will have find a lot answer. PM me if you have any questions. Feb 07 08 10:59 pm Link Andrew Vorobyov wrote: You know that 90% of stuff sold in N America made in China,right. Feb 07 08 11:06 pm Link Dig. Plus Photo wrote: I have a $3 dollar no name flash and it works great. I paid $16 for the wireless on ebay. If all else fails, read the directions. They work pretty good and I have learned the hard way, never trust batteries automatically. Some are faulty right out of the wrapper. try a different set. Feb 07 08 11:09 pm Link Connor Photography wrote: I have the 16 channel one. It requires (2 - "AAA") batteries for the Rx and (1 - 23A 12V) battery for the Tx. The receiver batteries are fresh and I will replace the transmitter battery tomorrow if I can find one. Feb 07 08 11:13 pm Link Patrickth wrote: If all else fails read the directions. Damn thing is in Chinese or I would. Feb 07 08 11:14 pm Link Oh well, knock it off with the "Chinese crap" Nowadays whatever you buy got some what you call "Chinese crap" inside...and very soon you'll see more and more "Chinese" stuff flooding all the markets. Everything depends of many factors. Of course, you might get fooled by the price. But, let me tell you this: To those innocent souls that paid more than $50 for their Lightsphere by Gary Fong, there are tons of copies on Ebay from China sold by less than $5 including shipping. And where do you think that the original one was made in? CHINA OF COURSE Because it says MADE IN USA, don't think it will last forever dudes. Just my 2 cents. As for the triggers: I got the PocketWizards and the CactusV2; both work fine....period. The range in the first one is wider than the last one. Other slight differences apply, but for triggering, both do the same job. Feb 07 08 11:16 pm Link unless your circumstances prohibit it, get a Wein optical slave. $80 new. Be careful to get either the digital or the regular depending on what you use to trigger. I have both and they work well. http://www.adorama.com/WNHSXL.html?sear … &item_no=1 http://www.adorama.com/WNHSXLD.html?sea … item_no=18 I also recently got used quantum 4i and that seems good as well. Set of two, I paid 189. Feb 07 08 11:30 pm Link I use them, they have worked fine for me. I wish I could give you a clue as to what is wrong with them but it's all ready been given. Recheck everything, use different batteries, etc, good luck. Feb 07 08 11:36 pm Link Dig. Plus Photo wrote: Came back Feb 07 08 11:37 pm Link PHC LLC wrote: Nice set! I would also recommend: (cheaper ones) $34.95 each. Feb 07 08 11:41 pm Link Dig. Plus Photo wrote: Well, you should have asked us before you bought it and save some time and money. I wish I had asked before I did it. Seriously, smash the Chinese stuff, hustle up some cash, and go buy some Pocket Wizards. They work better than anything else I've used and are real workhorses. Feb 07 08 11:43 pm Link I got the 2 channel made in China V2 transmitters from Ebay. Did a few modifications to them. You can find help for this from the strobist site. They work pretty well for me. I haven't had too many issues. A miss fire now and then. I bought a back up set just in case. They're no pocket wizards, but they get the job done if you're on a budget. I just started using this set up so I wanted to make sure it suited my style before dropping a grand on a set of PW's. I'll use them for awhile and I'll eventually buy a set of PW's. Meanwhile they work well so I don't feel the need. I've done about 10 problem free shoots with them. I've heard of DOA units out there. For the price you kinda have to expect it. Fresh batteries help but also they are not compatible with all flashes. Some flashes emit signals that interfere with the trigger signals. The result is usually no flash or constant flashing (580ex). I would try another type of flash. I prefer the Nikon flashes SBXX. They work well and you can get them for $50 or less if you look around. Find someone you know with another type of flash and try it out. It may help you narrow down the problem. Some flashes won't work regardless what radio trigger you use w/o a pc link adapter. These are the V2 AKA Poverty Wizards AKA Cactus...  Feb 07 08 11:44 pm Link Andrew Vorobyov wrote: heres a thought stop being an ass... Op look at alienbees.com they have what you need maybe Feb 07 08 11:47 pm Link wizards are the way to go Feb 07 08 11:51 pm Link okutake wrote: My Tx looks simular to this one except it doesn't have an antenia on it. he receiver is completely different. Feb 07 08 11:53 pm Link Michael Devon wrote: Thanks I'd like to see if I can get these to work. If not I'll try others. Just not ready to put 300-400 dollars into something like these yet. Feb 07 08 11:54 pm Link The antenna on the transmitter and the external battery pack on the receiver I added later. The antenna is an easy mod and increases reliability and range quite a bit. The battery pack is just so I have the option of using much cheaper AA's. -oh yeah forgot to ad. 3 receivers and 1 transmitter cost only around $65 including mods & shipping. Although many including me will tell you to go the route of PW's if you can, but there's a serious price diff. You can get a set of these for 1/4 the price of one PW transceiver. Feb 07 08 11:55 pm Link |
