Low cost wireless flash triggers

[MarkCook]

Hi,

just wondering if anyone has experience of these PT-04 wireles flash trigers found on eBay (amongst other suppliers) ?

eBay link to a typical PT-04 auction

Want to try some off camera stroby type stuff where IR triggers won't work due to line of sight issues etc. and think this could possibly be a cheap optoin ?

Obviously need to ensure the trigger voltage for the transmitter is a sensible voltage, however, wondering if anyone else has tried this kit out ?

Cheers

Mark

[Monobod]

Which Pentax camera and flashgun(s) are you using?

[MarkCook]

Planning on using both my K10D and Gx10. FLashgun would be either a cheap jessops 300AFD job and a Samsung SEF-36PFZ

I was more concerned about the trigger voltage on the transmitter siting in the camera hotshoe, never thought about the other end !

Mark

[Monobod]

I am not familiar with the guns you mention, but the K10D can fire Pentax and Samsung equivalent guns wirelessly using the pop up flash. Have you looked into this?

[MarkCook]

Yes, problem is line of sight and I have also read that the popup wireless flash mode is prone to totally black exposures.

I'm wanting to have the flash guns behind solid objects (trees or phone boxes for example) so a popup wireless trigger or even an IR trigger will not work.

Had confirmation from the folks that sell these triggers that they are lower 12v trigger voltage.

I'll keep you all posted as I've taken the plunge and bought a set )

[johnriley1uk]

Unfortunately the pop up flash won't work because of the pre-flash.

[Monobod]

Unfortunately the pop up flash won't work because of the pre-flash.

Page 146 of the K20D manual says it can be by setting the camera to wireless flash mode using the Function button. Presumably this turns off the pre flash.

[MarkCook]

Even if the popup flash can be used to trigger the external flash guns it will only work with a reasonable line of site, plus I did read somewhere they only tend to work really well in bright conditions for some reason !

[johnriley1uk]

Page 146 of the K20D manual says it can be by setting the camera to wireless flash mode using the Function button. Presumably this turns off the pre flash.

So it does!

[Chrism8]

I've used a similar set-up for triggering Studio lights without any problems, over a reasonable distance 25m plus and one was out of line of sight.

[MarkCook]

I've used a similar set-up for triggering Studio lights without any problems, over a reasonable distance 25m plus and one was out of line of sight.

Yeah that's cool but I guess in an indoor sudio type setup there will still be bounce flash from the walls, ceiling etc. to trigger the 'out of sight' unit !

My problem is that I will be in the great outdoors with no walls or ceilings to bounce the trigger flash off !

Anyway, the kit arrived today so charging batteries and will have a play later over the next couple of days and post the results. Initial look, the kit is in great shape for the £25 I paid for it and does indeed appear to work fine on my K10D at least.

Watch this space

[Chrism8]

Yeah that's cool but I guess in an indoor sudio type setup there will still be bounce flash from the walls, ceiling etc. to trigger the 'out of sight' unit !

It may have been the case if the studio lights had slaves, not in this instance, they were fired by cheap-ish fleabay radio triggers

[MarkCook]

they were fired by cheap-ish fleabay radio triggers

Ah ok, so line of sight is not an issue ! FYI just bought a set of as you call them fleabay radio triggers but yet to test them out.

[Damien_Demolder]

I've bought a set too (the PT-04 radio set). They just arrived this morning. I have a set for studio flash which work really well, but these are the hotshoe models. I got one trigger and a pair of slaves.

I'll let you know what happens. I won't get to use them untill the weekend though.

[Monobod]

I've bought a set too (the PT-04 radio set). They just arrived this morning. I have a set for studio flash which work really well, but these are the hotshoe models. I got one trigger and a pair of slaves.

I'll let you know what happens. I won't get to use them untill the weekend though.

Well Boyo, there's flashy for you!

Have fun this weekend, looking forward to a full report!

See HERE

[MarkCook]

I've bought a set too

Very similar to the pair I bought, sadly not had chance to do much with mine yet but have realised I need to use a bit of sticky tape to keep the battery door on the receivers closed or it tends to pop open and no flash fires !!!

Still hope to get to play with them at some point over the next few weeks once work has calmed down, gutted I've not had chance to play with them yet !

Also looking forward to a full review soon

[MarkCook]

Well I finally got out with these yesterday and set myself up in a dark corner of a local woodland with some wild flowers in full bloom.

Two flash guns (& coloured gels) on tripods with the wireless triggers and my camera on a tripod with the trigger remote.

Pressing the test button, no problem the flashes fired every time. This is when you start to feel comfortable with the setup.

Then bamm the strangeness starts, basically with the camera in manual mode and a multitude of arpeture and shutter speeds set I couldn't get the flashes to trigger consistently; in fact it would fire on a particular combination then simply fail to fire again repeatedly although the little red light on top of the transmitter would illuminate to say the flash firing sequence should be happening !

Need more playing with the kit in the house, possibly I have a faulty pair simply not sure at present. I was out with my Samsung GX10 and K10D and both were as random as each other - still confused.

Hope you have better luck with your setup Damien, I will certainly keep playing with these as if nothing else it's nice to get out into the woodland and fresh air.

Mark

[Monobod]

Keep us posted.

[Damien_Demolder]

I had a limited test session with mine yesterday - indoors. I tried them in the same room and then with one in a different room and they successfully triggered. I had a few mis-fires, but that's not unusual for me.

I used them with a Samsung GX20 and the SEF-54PZF and SEF-36PZF guns. As the triggers do only that (trigger) the flashes have to be used in aperture priority mode, and with one at f/8 and the other at f/5.6 (camera at f/8) I got some nice results.

My problem with the Samsung/Pentax wireless flash system, along with all the others in fact, is that the pre-flash makes people blink in the main shot. The systems that allow the preflash to be switched off become less reliable. These seem to overcome that problem, with the added benefits of having a greater range and working in very bright conditions.

They are not especially well made, but what do you expect for the price of a couple of CDs? Mine don't have a problem with the battery door, and are the ones with out the hinge - like Marks's not Monobod's.

Happy so far.

[MarkCook]

I did more testing late yesterday on both my K10D and GX10, this time both triggered fine on a multitude of arpeture and shutter speed settings in doors so I suspect it was the old battery door problem while I was out and about.

Will try and get back out toward the end of the week and have another go and who knows maybe this time the results will be postable