Cactus trigger help: For studio

[springtide]

OK, I'll admit that I'm confused about all of the options.

From what I understand, the Cactus triggers are pretty cheap and reliable. Is this correct?

I'm looking for a set of wireless triggers for my Sony A700.
Looking at the Gadget-Infinity site...

http://stores.ebay.com/Gadget-Infinity

I can see that they sell the hotshoe adapter for Sony/KM:

http://cgi.ebay.com/4-pin-Hot-Shoe-Adapter-for-Sony-A700-A350-as-FS-1100_W0QQitemZ350059857778QQihZ022QQcategoryZ64354 QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262

But there are so many options for triggers. I'm looking for a 220/240v mains powered, which is think is this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/16-Channels-Wireless-Studio-Flash-Trigger-AC-220V_W0QQitemZ170212653577QQihZ007QQcategoryZ64354 QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262

I guess this a similar trigger but with a battery powered reciever?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190216712685&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX_Stores&refitem=190221629304&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget&_trksid=p284.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%252BIA%26itu%3DIA%25 2BUCI%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D42

Is this the "version 2" Cactus or are the Cactus V2s the triggers for camera flash?

And is the one above any good?

I know this has probably been asked before so I am sorry, but I have looked at the other posts and they all seem to be related to triggering Canon/Nikon flashes.

Thanks again!

[superstat]

From what I understand, the Cactus triggers are pretty cheap and reliable. Is this correct?

I dont think they are considered reliable asuch...they do misfire...a bit....if it was a once only shot i wouldn't put my trust in them

[NorthernNikon]

I dont think they are considered reliable asuch...they do misfire...a bit....if it was a once only shot i wouldn't put my trust in them

For mine, the anecdotal evidence I seen seems to suggest that those using Canon Speedlites have more of an issue than users of Nikon or other flash manufacturers.

[springtide]

For mine, the anecdotal evidence I seen seems to suggest that those using Canon Speedlites have more of an issue than users of Nikon or other flash manufacturers.

Thanks! I'm actually looking at triggering studio flash rather than specific on-camera flash wirelessly.

Are the Cactus Studio Flash triggers as unreliable as the Nikon/Canon specific triggers?

[fletch5]

Thanks! I'm actually looking at triggering studio flash rather than specific on-camera flash wirelessly.

Are the Cactus Studio Flash triggers as unreliable as the Nikon/Canon specific triggers?

i think he meant the Cactus triggers fire the nikons better than the canons, not diff triggers.

the common problem with these seems to be, that they dont fire 100% of the time, and are easily affected by other things (i think i have heard bout strong sunlight, but dont quote me on that). as to whether they are good enough for you, it depends, how important is it to get the shot when you click? if you have time to take a few shots, then they will do, if it is a one off shot, and it doesnt work, you have missed it. a lot of people use them, and dont have problems, some of them have modified them, adding bigger batteries and aerials to increase reliability, and to be fair sounds like they work better.

personally, i went middle of the road and picked skyports, i havent heard much bad said against them and pocket wizards are too expensive.

[foodpoison]

If you have the dollar available, Skyports are the way to go.
If not, go with the Cactus triggers.
There are various tutorials on the net on how to increase reliability.

[Tomas Whitehouse]

Hi,

I can only back up the previous post, I bought a set of Cactus V2s's in the blind hope that they would be reliable enough for work in the field. I was shooting young ice skaters and their teams on the ice and the cactus units were a pain to be honest.
Any stray radio waves will trigger them, also I was quite suspicious over folk with point and shoots triggering them too, At that particular job, I had a few family members brandishing their point and shoots and the cactus units went crazy every time they grabbed a snap!
Maybe with the mods they would offer better performance but I gave up in the end.
If your indoors and there isn't to much background interference you could possibly get the results you need, after all the price for a set is hardly breaking the bank so worth a try but don't expect too much.

All the best
T.

[foodpoison]

Buy cheap, buy twice!

[springtide]

Thanks! Just has a look at the Elinchrom Skyports and they are not as expensive as the PW, but not exactly cheap either!

I'll be mainly using these in a "home studio" (or hired hall), so will/might give the Cactus a try. If all fails I can go back to using my PC Sync cable. Hardwired to the main light, and slave triggering the rest works well :)

Outside, the Sony/Minolta wireless system works fine with my camera flashes.

Thanks again for your help. Might take a look at the mods so see how easy they are to perform. Shame there isn't anyone on Ebay doing the mods as part of a little business :)
Or better still, maybe the mods could be used to make a Cactus V3 ;)

[springtide]

Buy cheap, buy twice!

;)


BTW, are the Walimex triggers any better? (the rest of their kit is OK-ish) They seem pretty cheap - not as cheap as the Cactus, but half way between the Cactus and the Skyports.

Any "Walimex trigger" owners here??????