Can someone explain Pocket Wizards/off camera flash?

[wdwpluto]

Or point me in the direction of an easy to follow getting started tutorial?

 

[tinksdad]

Pocket Wizards are remote flash triggering device that will work pretty much 100% accuracy up to about 1600ft away from each other. Awesome devices!! You can put a flash in another room, across a stadium, behind a tree. The options are limitless. I have two and would like another two for my other two flashes/speedlights.

Off camera flash can add more dimension to your shots by using the light to create unusual shadows and light patterns. On camera flash or the little pop-up flash that is part of the camera as a harsh effect and usually makes the subject look flat.

Check out the Strobist for more info. Follow the links on the right for Lighting 101, etc. Good stuff.

 

[wdwpluto]

Pocket Wizards are remote flash triggering device that will work pretty much 100% accuracy up to about 1600ft away from each other. Awesome devices!! You can put a flash in another room, across a stadium, behind a tree. The options are limitless. I have two and would like another two for my other two flashes/speedlights.

Off camera flash can add more dimension to your shots by using the light to create unusual shadows and light patterns. On camera flash or the little pop-up flash that is part of the camera as a harsh effect and usually makes the subject look flat.

Check out the Strobist for more info. Follow the links on the right for Lighting 101, etc. Good stuff.

Thanks Kevin. So do I have this right? The pocket wizard gizmo goes in the hotshoe of my camera and allows my flash (which is elsewhere) be triggered remotely?

 

[gruZ]

That's correct - but you will also need another PW for the flash - otherwise the one in your hot shoe would have no way to communicate with the flash. You attach the PW to the flash with a PC cord or PC cord and hot shoe adapter (for Canon flashes other than the 530EX II).

The newest Pocket Wizards pull double duty - they can either transmit or receive, depending on how you have them set.

 

[tinksdad]

Yep!! As gruZ mentioned the newer Pocket Wizards II Transievers will do either transmit or receive. They can be mounted on the hot shoe and/or the PC plug jack on the camera.

See Midwest Camera for some decent prices, except they aren't particularly cheap, they ARE reliable and work EVERY time!! I have some cheap Gadget Infinity china made remote triggers that are ok, but were making me crazy with intermittant firing. Got a couple of the PW and have zero problems since.

You will at least two of them, one on the camera and one on each flash you want to control. You can even remotely control a camera if desired.

 

[wdwpluto]

Ok, that makes sense, I didn't think about needing a second one on the flash to communicate.

I've looked at Strobist before and it seems a little overwhelming and I'm never sure where to start. But it does look like there's a ton of good info there. I'll have to spend some money (on the PW's) and some time reading and playing.

Thanks for your help!