We wanted to thank Mike Fulton, Jordan Chan, and Cody Clinton of TriCoastPhoto for taking the time to share their thoughts and evaluation of the new PocketWizard MiniTT1, FlexTT5, and ControlTL systems alongside the new RadioPopper PX Transmitter and RadioPopper PX Receiver. What follows is over an hour of material split into eight sections. Mike and the guys took the time to perform some controlled tests of both systems and how each relates to their individual working situations. We are glad to see continued growth and interest in off camera lighting. The RadioPopper product and the new PocketWizard products each have their strengths and weaknesses while overlapping in many areas. Depending on your specific needs and your own type of work, we’re sure one of the two systems will be of much benefit. I have been of the belief for years that we are on the very edge of a sweeping of creative lighting techniques as more and more photographers dive into the unknown and begin to understand their lighting in more creative ways. Automated lighting controls using ETTL and iTTL, reliable long range use of High Speed Sync at shutter speeds in excess of 1/500, and the simple convenience of remote control of manually controlled lighting – today photographers have a set of controls and tools at their fingertips that simply did not exist only a year ago. This is a good time to be a photographer! Cheers!!
Notes: PocketWizard usable range test. Range found to be 40 feet while using off shoe cord with Canon SpeedLite 580EXII, similar results expected with 580EX SpeedLite using wireless flash eTTL. Canon SpeedLite 430EXII Range Test with PocketWizard FlexTT5 and MiniTT1 found usable to 120 feet.
Notes: RadioPopper PX Transmitter and PX Receiver Range Test. Found range to easily exceed 600+ feet which is more than 10x the range of the new PocketWizard Flex ControlTL system. RadioPopper used in eTTL and manual flash mode.
Notes: Operational speed test of the PocketWizard Flex system vs. the RadioPopper PX system. Testing supposed ”slow” operation of RadioPopper found both systems easily keep up with 8+ frames per second. No difference between the two systems regarding speed of operation. Canon SpeedLite Custom Functions explained. PocketWizard system does not support all Custom Functions. Test performed by TriCoast Photography including Mike Fulton, Jordan Chan, and Cody Clinton.
Notes: Summary of inconsistent operation of PocketWizard FlexTT5, MiniTT1, and ControlTL operation. PocketWizard radio interference using Canon SpeedLite 580EX, and 580EXII SpeedLite flash strobe units. Explanation of radio frequencies used by PocketWizard and RadioPopper systems.
Notes: Physical and hardware, overall design, ease of upgrade of Pocket Wizard Flex USB port and RadioPopper PX.
Evaluation of physical construction and overall design of new PocketWizard Flex TT5, Mini TT1, and RadioPopper PX SpeedLite eTTL radio flash control systems. Integration of PocketWizard PlusII MultiMAX, and RadioPopper JrX Studio and JrX Basic receivers to control studio lights.
Notes: Conclusions from testing of radio based camera flash control systems for eTTL, iTTL, and high speed sync. Conclusion of test of new PocketWizard FlexTT5, ControlTL, MiniTT1, and RadioPopper PX and JrX units.
