That’s me. Lying on the cold cold ground in the early AM photographing a pair of running shoes. There are no lengths I will go to to take a great photo. Good thing I am wearing my big, fluffy Canadian parka, as it is taking ages to get the flashes to sync because my cheapo Gadget Infinity wireless triggers keep misfiring! Arg!
If you are a recreational photographer or if you are like me and you just started your own home media business that requires a ton of electronic gadgets and creative gear that sees no financial boundaries, you probably don’t have $500 to spend on Pocket Wizard’s wireless triggers. That’s why I bought the Gadget Infinity wireless triggers (Cactus Model) for a bargain basement price of $60 for one transmitter and two receiver to go on my flashes, the Canon EX 430 & 580).
Before purchasing the cheapo version, I had read loads of reviews that warned of misfiring and unreliability, but the Gadget Infinity triggers seriously take the piss. These are the main things that suck about these triggers:
- Flash misfires, often. This totally sucks because it uses up all your flash’s battery power and not only do you have to wait even longer for the flash to charge, but when it finally does, your flash is likely to be dunzo.
- Flash is out of sync with the shutter. This is possibly the most annoying thing ever. More annoying than a late-90s boy band reunion. I know. That’s infinitely annoying.
- Flash doesn’t fire. Period.
If you have a time sensitive shoot or you are dealing with a live subject that might complain more than these running shoes, I recommend renting Pocket Wizards (approx. $25).
Has anyone else had a sucky experience with cheap triggers? Is there a budget solution to make them work better?
djh said on February 24th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Time to spend some money, unfortunately:
http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/pho/578974879.html
(That’s the Sekonic lightmeter that has a built in PocketWizard Transmitter)
Ian said on February 25th, 2008 at 3:14 am
Well I don’t know anything about flash triggers, but somewhat randomly I spent about, erm… 20 seconds taking a photo of my new running shoes yesterday. My process was somewhat inferior to your own, basically consisting of turning my D50 to auto mode, popping the flash, pointing and shooting! I feel I let my poor camera down using it in auto mode
Anyway, I tip my virtual hat to you, for your efforts in taking on the cold, cold ground in order to get that shot!
Captain Sweatpants said on February 26th, 2008 at 2:01 am
Let’s see the final shots!
Mostly Lisa said on February 26th, 2008 at 11:19 am
@djh — bah humbug.
@Ian — wow, we are so nsync. except for the auto mode. shameful. NB. there are other auto modes other than straight auto, give P a go. i wouldn’t mind a virtual hat to add to my collection.
@The Captain — i usually don’t take orders from cupcakes, but i’ll see what i can do.
Francois Minh said on February 26th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
I found on ebay for 15 $ a couple of radio transmitter made in HK working real fine.
Cris said on February 28th, 2008 at 12:25 am
honestly i know nothing about all that stuff. i just bought an old camera from a pawn shop so i’ve been fiddling around with it. btw i love ur website. really enjoyed reading and watching some of ur adventures
Ian said on February 28th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Ha! Fear not, my camera does not live in auto mode, my film SLR is pre auto focus, So I usually use my cameras in manual modes. Saying that, some times I am just plain lazy. Will see what I can do about that virtual hat!
MostlyLisa.com: Lisa Bettany. Canada’s Sexy Geek Blog » Blog Archive » DIY Photography for the Thrifty and Unrich said on April 2nd, 2008 at 1:57 am
[...] flashes were triggered with two cheap and untrustworthy Gadget Infinity remotes and were at 1/8 power, with the 580ex maybe less two thirds of a stop because it’s a more [...]
Chi said on September 28th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Mine suck too… They fire okay when I have just one, but if I start adding flashes they start to go haywire. They are not dependable and having to fiddle with them while working with a model is embarrassing. Im saving up for the new alien bees Cybersync triggers. The aren’t anywhere near as expensive as pocket wizards but have gotten much praise in reviews.