Showing posts with label profoto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label profoto. Show all posts

1/31/2012

Sekonic L-758DR Light Meter (Black) Review

Sekonic L-758DR Light Meter (Black)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I really like this meter. It does everything I need and a bit more. I find it easy to use as it follows similar interface design as my DSLR's "press-this-and-spin-that" UI. The integrated pocket wizard, ability to meter light ratios and balance ambient light is fantastic. The use of this meter has improved my shots.
A previous reviewer said the interface was poor - I disagree. The interface is extremely simple for the basic functions you'll use all the time. Set the ISO, take a reading, change between reflected spot and incident, set the pocket wizard channel, set the exposure time for ambient, etc.
When using the more advanced features, it gets a little more complicated. For example, metering the highlights, the shadows and mid-tones and display them all at once, or meter the lighting ratio between lights. Perhaps it could be a little easier but I don't find it a hinderance.
In fact I didn't notice the complexity as it's no more complicated than most of the features on my Nikon D700. The Sekonic, happily, follows the same convention of rapid key combinations for instant access to features instead of slow menu driven interfaces. Yes the menus are easier to learn - but you'd pay that speed penalty every time you'd use it. Once you learn how to play the Sekonic's keys, the price is paid and you get the speed benefit every time you use it.
Now it would be slick if, like the pro DSLRs, they provided both a menu and a key. But I still wouldn't use the menu.

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Spot & Incident Light Readings Under Flash and/or Ambient Lighting Conditions Calibrated to match the Sensitivity of Your Camera's Imaging SensorThe Sekonic L-758DR DigitalMaster is simply the most dynamic light meter you will ever own. It can record incident or 1-degree spot-readings under ambient and/or strobe lighting down to a tenth-stop in accuracy, and it's sealed against the nastiest of weather. With the included Sekonic RT-32 Radio Transmitter Module and you can wirelessly trigger PocketWizard-enabled flash systems within a 100' range. But that's not what makes the Sekonic L-758DR DigitalMaster different from any other meter you have owned. What moves the L-758DR DigitalMaster to the head of the class is that it is the only meter that can be calibrated to read light the way the sensor in your particular camerareads light.Like film, imaging sensors vary in light sensitivity levels from one batch to the next. Despite manufacturers best efforts, fluctuations of native ISO sensitivities of up to plus/minus half-a-stop can be detected across the uncut wafers as they come off the manufacturing line. Depending on which ‘slice of the pie' is inside your camera, the specs listed in the camera manual may not hold true to the characteristics of the sensor in your particular camera.By running an easy calibration test using Sekonic's L-758DR, a Sekonic Exposure Profile Target (optional) and the included Data Transfer Software (Mac & Windows), you can accurately profile the sensitivity characteristics of your camera's sensor to determine the compensation value for its true native ISO, dynamic range and clipping points.After calculating the test data and establishing new exposure parameters, this data is uploaded from your computer via the included USB cable back to the meter where it is stored as camera profiles. Profiling data from up to 3 cameras can be stored in your meter for instant recall.

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11/19/2011

PocketWizard PW-MMAX 802-450 MultiMAX Transceiver (Black) Review

PocketWizard PW-MMAX 802-450 MultiMAX Transceiver (Black)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Having already owned 4 of the Pocketwizard Plus II remotes, I was glad to see the Multimax is even better than i had imagined.
The Multimax is a little heavier than a Plus II, it feels more solid, though the hotshoe and locking ring are still the plastic that i'm worried will snap if twisted too hard. If I were to make a single change to the entire line of Pocketwizards, a metal shoe and locking ring would be it.
The features are great, and even slightly intuitive. Keep the manual on this one until you're familiar with all the options and control features. You can use it straight out of the box, but then you might as well get a Plus II if you don't need the extra options.
The two most notable features-rear curtain sync and intervalometer. Rear curtain sync is not available to canon camera when using off camera flash. The Multimax enables this feature.
along with a motor drive cable (get it at www.flashzebra.com for a fraction of the cost of the 'official' cable) you can use the Multimax as an intervalometer-schedule your camera to take a shot at a pre-determined interval, for stop motion photography and such. Considering the Canon TC80N3 remote costs 1/2 as much as the Multimax *without* the remote triggering and transceiver abilities, you're getting quite a bit for your money.
You really only need one multimax, unless you have a desperate need to use zones that you can turn on and off from your camera. Make the rest of your transceivers Plus IIs and you'll be set.
While the new radiopoppers will give Pocketwizards a run for their money, you can't argue with the features of the multimax and its abilities. Highly recommended for Pros, and amateurs with deep pockets.

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PocketWizard's MultiMAX Transceiver contains many of the features found in the PocketWizard Plus II including advanced wireless transceiver technology, multi-channel switching, sustained 12 frames-per-second high-speed triggering, and a range of up to 1600' between transceivers. Add to this mix the ability to isolate individual or groups of lights for multiple and/or selective lighting sequences aided by a choice of thirty-two 16-bit, digitally coded channels (up from four in the PocketWizard Plus II). Now the fun begins.For time-lapse imaging, MultiMAX's trigger time control software includes an Intervalometer for recording timed sequences of up to 10,000 exposures over a time period of 100 hours. Multi-pop shooting - up to 10,000 exposures. Rear-curtain sync mode will capture ambient streaks of light at slow shutter speeds even for cameras that do not have this feature. Each PocketWizard MultiMAX features an easy-to-read, backlit LCD display for fast settings confirmation under any lighting condition. The SpeedCycler mode enables sequential triggering of up to 4 individual or sets of cameras or light sources for high speed sequential image capture from multiple camera positions as a method of further ‘reducing' recycling times between exposures.The PocketWizard MultiMAX is compact, with a short, unobtrusive, rubberized antenna. The total height of the transceiver and antenna is less than 6.5", and it weighs in at 6oz including the batteries. The backlit keypad is also rubberized, and has a lock button that secures your pre-established settings when you're working fast and furious. To ensure a secure fit to your camera or bracket, all PocketWizards feature sturdy, locking rings for hot shoes. Power is supplied by 2 AA batteries, which are good for about 60 hours of playtime. An optional AC adapter allows for continuous, unlimited shoot time.

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11/18/2011

Pocket Wizard PWP-TR 801-125 PLUS II Transceiver - 2 Pack (Black) Review

Pocket Wizard PWP-TR 801-125 PLUS II Transceiver - 2 Pack (Black)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I have to admit, the Elinchrom EL-Skyport competitor units have more advantageous specifications on paper compared to these PocketWizard Plus II units. There are a few other wireless units out there, but only two of these brands can compete if you want serious no-fail gear. Heres the comparison:
POCKETWIZARD PLUS II
1. 16-bit / 344.04MHz
2. Sync up to 1/500s
3. 4 Channels
4. 1600+ foot range
5. AA battery or AC
6. Transceiver (auto-sensing, no need to purchase different units)
7. Flexible rubber antenna (no swivel)
ELINCHROM EL-SKYPORT
1. 40-bit / 2.4GHz
2. Sync up to 1/1000s
3. 8 Channels
4. 50 meter range indoor / 120 meter range outdoor (394 foot range)
5. CR2430 3.0V battery or AC
6. Receiver or Transmitter models are separate
7. Flexible 360 degree swivel antenna
The PocketWizards are even bulkier than the Skyports which are flat. The antenna of the PocketWizard looks fragile and doesn't hide or swivel down when being kept. In fact the plastic build and feel of the PocketWizard feels like a cheap radio control toy for kids.
And to add more to the above, it's almost twice as expensive than the Skyport.
So why did I still get the PocketWizard unit? The PocketWizard MultiMax transceiver is more versatile and more advanced in features than the above two models which is what I am aiming to grab to control the other PocketWizard units. I'm investing and banking on the fact that PocketWizard will try to strike a deal with other manufacturers for wireless flash trigger.
They started with Mamiya Corporation and equipped their Sekonic's current light meters with the technology including my Sekonic L-758Cine flash meter that I've installed a PocketWizard wireless module.
And unlike the Elinchrom EL-Skyport RX model (which is a custom tailored version that plugs into their own RX lighting setup), The PocketWizard technology exists in various lighting brands including Dyna-Lite, Norman, Profoto and Photogenic.
Nikon did once use PocketWizard in their D1X way back in 2002 until they started their own Creative Lighting System (CLS) which does not simply rely on triggering a flash alone, but measures, meters and communicates the information back to the camera. It would be best to know each capability and limitation especially depending on the scale of your project, intent and creativity.
The PocketWizard has been around for a longer time and they have rock-solid reliability. It sticks out from the camera hot shoe like a sore thumb and for a good reason that enables great communication with other units over a long distance.
Conclusion:
You obviously have to evaluate your needs and how you plan to build your system.
If you are on a budget and would like equal reliability over shorter and more normal triggering distances, I would suggest Elinchrom EL-Skyport. In fact I would suggest investing on RX models and be able to control Elinchrom's own lights via their downloadable EL-Skyport software.
However, if you want to stick with the proven technology and reliability of PocketWizard then building a system around this wireless set up will be an equally good investment down the line especially as they try to expand with other professional brands of photographic devices.
The advantages of Elinchrom shine when you are building a system around their own brand. Outside of this, PocketWizard has been the recognized leader...at least for now.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Pocket Wizard PWP-TR 801-125 PLUS II Transceiver - 2 Pack (Black)



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