As an outdoor fashion photographer, aside from being an award winning wedding photographer, I use a lot of flash for outdoor shoots, especially when shooting with models.
I tend to be a bit on the opposite side of other “conventional” photographers in the way that I like to shoot with flash for outdoor and without flash for indoor (also known as available light).
The idea is to create the drama to a scene and to be different from any other photographer that would have been at the same location as me and at the same time. If I only shoot available light when outdoor, then my photos would end up look like the ones from others.
So, I use to pack a lot of flash and use off camera flashes intensively.
Canon and Nikon have very impressive and advance wireless trigger systems but both (systems) communicate with each other using light. This medium is very restricted in open space and the efficiency of both systems decrease dramatically, especially in direct sunlight.
I have been in search for convenient yet efficient wireless trigger systems that allow me to extand the abilities of Canon and Nikon’s wireless flash systems.
Having used several third parties but also the very disappointing Pocket Wizards system, with their Flex and Mini, I didn’t hesitate to put my hands on a full set of Radio Poppers when they have released the second generation of the wireless E/I-TTL the Radio Popper PX system.
Again, in the early age, the Radio Popper receivers need to be attached to the remote flash gun with bits of velcro and also the e/i-TTL cell on the flash gun needed to be covered from parasite light in order to work efficiently.
Aesthetically, this wasn’t the ideal solution but it worked. The drawback is that because the receive is covered, it becomes almost compulsory to use the Rdio Popper, even indoor, if I wanted to use off camera flash.
This limitation is now part of the past as I just got a visit from the mailman who just dropped the brand new mounting brackets that actually hold the flash gun AND the Radio Popper receiver.
This is awesome as it now allows me to rapidly mount, unmount the PX receiver when changing shooting condition.
I have been really happy with the Radio Popper PX system as I used it for almost all my outdoor fashion shoots. It’s reliable, works out of the box and small enough to put away very easily.
I have used the PX receiver for distance up to 20 + meters.
Some distance peepers, that have post useless video on Youtube about testing the PX system with distance up to 300 meters when you can barely see anything of the lit subject …
I also received a set of Radio Popper JrX STUDIO Kit which is said to allow high speed sync up to 1/800th of a second. This is a very exciting feature that allows me to shoot against the sun with very limited flash power.
Real life test on the field very soon.
Check out these awesome toys.
I thought they weren’t shipping to Australia yet as they don’t have the correct frequencies for legal operation here yet ? At least that’s what I tell me every time I enquire. Supposedly Ted’s will be the local distributor once they pass all the radio freq hurdles.
Ted’s is not involved in studio gears as much as sun studios or l&p who is retailer for the mini and flex from PW.
I’ll be surprise if they start dealing RPs.
That came straight from Radiopopper. I guess Ted’s are going after the strobist market, or else they are doing a decent trade in existing triggers. I notice the Petrie Plaza store has had other triggers on the shelf the last few months where as before they didn’t.
Good point Deye.
I’ll need to have a chat with Greg, the store manager, to find out more. They are my main supplier for Canon and Nikon gears for the last few years. I was really pleased that they supplied me one of the firsts Canon 5D Mark II back to November last year.
I’m heading to Sydney for a studio shoot and will put the new JrX Studio on the test.
Report back here by tomorrow or so
Hi Nomads, I have been checking many radio triggers and recently got excited about Radio Poppers – fit the bill for location triggers.
Now I’m told they are not available in Australia – how did you get yours and any frequency problems??
Seems that Ted’s are going to the Australian distributors – yeah right.
Not a fan of Ted’s.
Can you supply a PX system?
Thanks for reading.
Hi Thierry, just wondering how you managed to get radiopoppers in Australia?
I am keen to get them myself due to the issues with the new pocketwizards and the 5dmk2. Any direction would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Collin.
Hi Ian and Colin,
I contacted RP directly by email and was told that they are talking to “someone” in Australia to import them.
The frequencies comply with Australian standards as on my units there are certifications for US/CA & AUS.
I also have the PW but to be honest, they have only served as very few tests that made me put them away and never touched them again.
Not reliable and the range is ridiculous.
our products available at Image Melbourne
http://imagemelbourne.com.au/