I took a walk with my hand held GPS across the field behind my house to a distance of 750 feet to the end of the field. You can see a flash at the bottom center of the image, I had complete control over all the functions of my strobe at this distance. At the Radio Poppers website they state that Radio Poppers are the most advanced wireless control system in the world, I'd have to agree.
I use a SU-800 command unit to fire my strobes, the PX Transmitter fits on the face of the SU-800 command unit, it relays the signal from the command unit to a PX receiver mounted to my SB-800 strobe. The Radio Popper took only a few moments to set up and it is absolutely seamless to use.
You don't need to use an SU-800 command unit, you can use another SB-800 as a master unit if you wish. You simply use all the menu commands on your master strobe or SU-800 command unit as you normally do. The PX system simply relays those signal, and your good to go.Before using this system, I had an invisible leash of about 35 or 40 feet using Nikon's CLS system, even less on bright out door settings or when your strobes are place in such a position that your strobes do not see the pre monitor flash from your master.
I had an opportunity to use my Radio Poppers while giving a lighting demo at Slickrock, near Moab during my recent "Mentor Series Trek" for Popular Photography Magazine. I used a FourSquare™ to light the biker in the above photo. During the workshop, I passed around the SU-800 with the PX Transmitter attached to it and I simply hand held the strobes for the students. Everyone was just blown away by the size of the Radio Poppers and the simplicity of the system.If you are looking for a wireless system to extend your range from the normal distance that your flash manufacturer allows, I'd say go Radio Popper. The PX system works with all sorts of other flash systems as well, just check out their website you'll be just as blown away as I am.
11 comments:
Still waiting for the Jrs!
I really can't make a decision between the Radio Poppers and the nes PWs. One unanswered question with the RPs is that once you've installed the cutouts over the flash, can you still use them without the RPS or if they are blocked unless your remove the cutouts?
Hi Richard: The cut outs your referring to are on the receiver and not on the flash.
You can still use them without RPS without a problem. DT
Hi David
I'm holding our for the PW Nikon release...I think from an ergonomic view the PW just looks less cumbersome and home made. Sorry RadioPopper people.
Just curious...how did you attach the transmitter to the SU-800?
David...I assume you had to put a bunch of velcro on your SU800 to attach the transmitter? I'm hoping for a more elegant solution to this from RP, along the lines of the adapter stands they recently released for the flashes themselves.
In agreement with everything David has said. I'm using Radiopoppers with SU-800 commander and SB-900 strobes. I have the transmitter velcroed to the SU-800 in the same spot as you do only a bit lower.
My qualms are: very poorly designed battery cover door - I can't believe this is the best they could muster for on a $250 unit. Mickey-mouse - I've seen better on $10 children's toys. It's going to wear out and be useless in short order, and probably lost since it just comes right off without a tether. Also, I hate that it's designed for Canon users and defaults to Canon setting when reset. It should reset everything EXCEPT the Canon/Nikon setting. Stupid design that just forces another thing to remember while working. If you do a reset and forget to change this back (which is buried three or four menu items down to add insult to injury) you are out of business. Dumb. I should have known by their website and literature being Canon-centric.
That being said, I'm happy with the investment otherwise.
Interesting! Will it work with Sony/Minolta wireless flash system?
Question for you...do you still control your flash mode/power settings via your SU800 or do you have to use the RP to control it? I have a SU800, SB900, and a SB600. I'd like to still be able to have the two flashes in different groupings and use the su800 to control all that. the RP seem like a pain to navigate through their menu. thanks
I'm not certain if you can use them with a Sony or Minolta, I don't believe so. The Radio Poppers I have only allow me to choose between Nikon and Canon. Check with Radio Poppers.
I still use my SU-800 to control all my groups or I use the built-in commander on my camera if only using 2 groups. DT
Hi David, I stumble upon on your blog through my friends link, I use D700 and 2 flash unit SB 600, i try to set my camera with my Radiopopper PX system, but until now i can not figure out how this tools can work, can you give your post about how to set it from a to z, please... thanks!
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