• 
• 

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Hi-Tech Studio: Triggering The Light

Wireless flash systems give more freedom when it comes to creative lighting

This Article Features Photo Zoom

PocketWizard MultiMAX	MicroSync Digital

The Olympus E-3 can be set with its pop-up flash in a commander mode to control a group of external flash units. The E-3 can trigger up to three different flash groups, including the new Olympus FL-50R and older Olympus flash units like the FL-36R. The optical RC Data Transfer System triggers surrounding flash units and lets you set or turn off different sets of lights through the RC mode in the E-3. Its features also allow the camera’s TTL auto, manual and auto modes to be fully utilized.

The Sony HVL-F58AM flash unit incorporates Wireless Ratio Control to control up to three groups of flashes and specify the luminosity ratio for each of the three groups, providing multiple-flash lighting schemes. Also of note, the Sigma Electronic Flash EF-530 DG SUPER has a Designated Slave function, which lets you use two or more EF-530 DG SUPER flash units.

Radio Triggers
The main advantage to radio triggers is the range at which you can move wirelessly and trigger groups of strobes and flashes. The PocketWizard MultiMAX Transceiver can be triggered from 1,600 feet between transceivers. While you may not need that kind of range, it shows the capability of radio signals. Other benefits of the MultiMAX are multi-channel switching for controlling different lights, a sustained 12 fps high-speed-triggering ability and Selective Quad Triggering that lets you control firing sequences of various strobes no matter the brand.

Olympus FL-50R	Quantum FreeXWire FW7Q	Sigma EF-530 DG SUPER

The Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set is a wireless radio slave system that works with Elinchrom units, as well as other flashes and power packs. It includes a transmitter that you connect to the camera’s hot-shoe and a transceiver to connect to the flash unit. The EL-Skyport system has a range of 164 feet, and it allows you to adjust and sync individual units or groups of flashes and strobes.

MicroSync Digital is a very compact system that uses radio signals to synchronize groups of flash units or power packs. Link the transmitter to your camera’s hot-shoe and the receiver to your power packs up to a distance of 100 feet.

Quantum’s FreeXWire System utilizes eight different radio channels and gives you four zones of control, allowing you to selectively control four different sets of lights. Another great feature for Quantum Qflash 5D users—you can get wireless TTL control with the system. The FreeXWire transmits your camera’s ƒ-stop, ISO and TTL exposure information to the Quantum flash to make adjustments. The FreeXWire has an impressive range of up to 1,000 feet.

Resources
Canon (800) OK-CANON www.usa.canon.com Elinchrom (Bogen Imaging) (201) 818-9500 www.bogenimaging.us MicroSync Digital (800) 662-0717 www.microsyncdigital.com	Nikon (800) NIKON-UX www.nikonusa.com Olympus (888) 553-4448 www.olympusamerica.com PocketWizard (914) 347-3300 www.pocketwizard.com	Quantum (631) 656-7400 www.qtm.com Sigma (800) 896-6858 www.sigmaphoto.com Sony (877) 865-SONY www.sonystyle.com