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Non-TTL wireless flash trigger and receiver

YoIaMoNwater

Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2020
Messages
253
Location
UK
Format
Multi Format
I recently got a Zeniko T1 trigger and receiver and it fails miserably in crowded areas. I'm looking for a wireless setup that is reliable in busy streets. Can anyone provide some suggestions that doesn't break the budget? Thanks!
 
I'd start with the cheap, generic Chinese ones working at 433MHz. See how that goes and then upgrade if you find them lacking.
The reason why the Zeniko's fail is likely because they use the overcrowded 2.4Ghz band which is not just chock full of WiFi and bluetooth signals, but also sensitive to directionality and line-of-sight issues. 433MHz is inherently a little more robust, technically also simpler and generally less crowded.

The main problem some of the generic 433MHz wireless triggers suffer from is 'false positives'; i.e. they may randomly fire on spurious signals. But in my experience that's still a whole lot less annoying than false negatives where the flash doesn't trigger when it's supposed to.
 
Thanks Koraks, just ordered a JCC 433MHz one and will try to test it out soon.
 
blee1996 said:
Godox R2 wireless system has worked reliable for me, and they are reasonably priced.
Click to expand...

Have you used it in very congested areas with people? Think Christmas shopping busy/super packed scenes. I couldn't find any Godox R2 system but apparently there's a Flashpoint R2 set?
 
RalphLambrecht said:
I bought a wireless sender/receiver especially for my Nikon from Calumet for $70 and it worksflawlessly;trouble is I'm not sure Calumet still sells it.
Click to expand...

Have you tested this setup in very busy areas where 2.4 GHz signals have a lot interference?
 
RalphLambrecht said:
I bought a wireless sender/receiver especially for my Nikon from Calumet for $70 and it worksflawlessly;trouble is I'm not sure Calumet still sells it.
Click to expand...

I guess Calumet is still operating in Germany but in the USA it's gone.
 
If you ever participate in group shoots, where model(s) are shared by multiple photographers, you want to buy something that has the ability to choose a separate channel and/or coded signal for each photographer, else you run risk of another photographer causing your flash to trigger, or you to trigger his/hers. This can even happen at common events (like wedding/reception) where multiple guests could be trying to use the same commonly purchased brand of remote trigger.
 
I have-had a Cactus, the inexpensive system raved about by the-strobist. and-everything he-ranted-and-raved-about was completely true.
 
YoIaMoNwater said:
Have you tested this setup in very busy areas where 2.4 GHz signals have a lot interference?
Click to expand...

I have indeed. Our photo club hosts studio sessions where 12 to 20 photographers fire our studio equipment with 2.4 GHz senders; there were only a few interfering signals—nothing that ruined the shoot
 
RalphLambrecht said:
12 to 20 photographers fire our studio equipment with 2.4 GHz senders
Click to expand...
Those are not the issue though. Try the same with 20 WiFi access points around on a busy street, all trying to blast that airspace permanently. The triggers only emit noise as they trigger. That doesn't swamp the ether.
 
I manged to test the JJC 433MHz triggers yesterday in the busy streets of London during Christmas time. It was way much better than the Zeniko T1! I did have to swap channels a couple of times and the flash did occasionally go off by itself due to signal interference. Overall, can't really complain as it's a huge leap forward from the previous set-up. My friend also offered his cheap 2.4GHz flash trigger with 16 channels, but I didn't test it under the assumption of 2.4GHz congestion that we discussed about here.

If anyone else have similar experiences and suggestions that would be much appreciated.
 
That's great to hear! The random pops are indeed consistent with my experience, but as said, they generally don't hurt. And it's nice to have a solution that's both cost-effective and functional!
 
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