The Decline of PocketWizard

At it's peak PocketWizard dominated the flash photography market with it's reliable easy to use remote flash triggers. Today the brand is a shell of it's former self. The question being... what happened to PocketWizard?
Let's discuss.
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Leave a comment if you have any questions and I'll do my best to answer them.
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Josh Diaz is a Commercial Director of Photography and Affiliate Member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers. He’s also an Adobe-certified Video Editor.
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Thanks for watching!
#PocketWizard #flashphotography #camera

[@RyanNielsenVT]

As a former engineer at PocketWizard, I gotta say you have a lot of good insight here. Of course there are some things missed from behind the scenes but overall very well done. Loved the company. Sad to see the decline.

[@MarkP-df8ho]

I was recently lifted a pair of studio lights and the Pocketwizzard plus ii. I can't wait till start using the strobes. I need to learn the works of this, but looks straight forward. I'm glad it's a good set up !!!

[@ozjohntekson7202]

I still have many of them... but haven't used for the last couple of years, I guess. The smartest thing that the company should focus on could be the wireless date transferring rather than flash triggering-for both photography and video.

[@fredzwicky8363]

PocketWizard is still dominant for sports photogs who rig up remote cameras, especially in indoor arenas. With the FCC sell-off of frequencies and all of the other devices competing for bandwidth in arenas (broadcast radio and TV), only the newest generation PW that use the E firmware update are reliable in those settings. But, there are very few pro sports shooters who do remote work in stadiums....so small market for sure.

Interesting story. Thanks for this! I have used Pocket Wizards in studio shoots, but my personal lighting kit is all centred on a Godox flash controller, for the very reasons you bring up in your video: cheaper and very reliable

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

I moved to Godox as well. Easier to travel with.

[@pdcmoore]

Still use my FlexTT5 system. With the AC3 controller so quick and easy to use. Got a couple of old Plus II controllers too which come in handy occassionally.

[@guildengilbert170]

I have 4 of the Plus III transceivers and when it comes to setting up a remote camera, at the finish line of a track event, for example, there is nothing that performs like PocketWizard. This is such a great product and I truly hope they get through the difficulties they are having. I still hold out hope of getting a couple of the new, unreleased, Plus Ve transceivers.

[@9rider11]

I have 4 PWiii+. Strictly used for remote cameras in sport shooting.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

How do you like it?

[@9rider11]

@@DOPJoshDiaz I’m can rely on them 100% of the time. Lov’em.

[@basehorhonda]

I love my PW system. They have never failed me and they are so simple. Remote flashes, remote cameras, they do everything I need them to do with zero issues.

[@SpencerStanley]

I'm alwasy impressed by your knowledge on obscure topics.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

Sometimes, I surprise even myself.

[@PierreBurnaugh]

I used them with Bowens strobes, Sekonic meters and Profoto. Bowens folded and I've heard that they were made by what Godox is. Profoto developed their own Air Remote system. But I wish Pocket Wizrard still made Profoto modules for Sekonic as I still use meters at times and it was so convenient to trigger your flashes from the meter for readings. But they were the only trigger in the game for quite awhile. I still have mine, haven't used them in years. Often wondered what happened though.

[@zoltankalmar7370]

I have a Plus III and a bunch of X-s. They're here to stay and I don't plan replacing my speedlights either. So what I have now is probably good enough for the forseeable future. I absolutely love how reliable these bricks are.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

Great products for sure.

[@SolarChronicle]

I just bought two Plus X's a few months ago to play around with. I also have Nikon's WR-R11a remote trigger for the SB-5000 but setting all that up can be confusing if you haven't done it in a while. With he Plus X's, you have less features compared to the Nikon system but you're up and running in no time.

[@mtmccornack]

I have used many trigger systems over the years and always wanted a pocket wizard set up but price and bulky size always meant I gravitated to a different choice.... I can attest the low end generic ones aren't worth a hill of beans in a live photo environment and the last set of triggers I purchased were Godox, however I've only used them professionally a handful of times... they seem fine. (but) i kinda miss my Radio poppers paired with alien bees... those suckers were transceivers and i could dim or bump my light power on the fly with a little twist of a knob.

[@tolucogaming]

I have 2x Pluses that have been retired and 4x Plus IIs that have worked flawlessly on my Canons since I bought them 15 years ago, but I recently got a Sony A7RV and they don't trigger. Doesn't make sense as the pins connect on the hotshoe. Don't really want to replace them.

[@peterpeterson7784]

I was just telling a fellow photographer that I do not expect Pocket Wizard to last. I hope they do because we have well over 100 triggers at work. They get used in the school photography business and I'm guessing most school photographers around the world use Pocket Wizard. They can have problems and I myself have a bunch of Plus III's and Plus IV. Plus IV seems to give the most problems. Starting and still using the Multi Max units, also and we do have a few old Wizards with the Wizard on the Wizard. I would like to see them come out with new basic unit smaller in design.

[@ScottRadfordChisholm]

Hey Peter. I also have the PW IV Plus. I shoot horse race finishing, so have a camera mounted on rail for a wide strip finish and I then stand only about 5-10m away using a longer lens to shoot a more head on of the winning horse. Using the PW to obviously fire both cameras at same time. I'm using both PW on 'TX/RX' mode, same channel on each. But sometimes, (even shooting jpg's), for some reason, the receive trigger/camera seems to go and then all of a sudden stops firing after a few frames. It works perfectly fine most times, and then maybe once a month or so, this happens on one or two races, so I miss the wide finish pic. Just seems strange that it works fine, then doesn't, so randomly. Is this a similar prob to yours??

[@kappakumplete]

This was nicely done. It's crazy how quickly technology advances and the tides change. I feel like a dinosaur because I still use PocketWizards to trigger an old Paul C Buff Einstein 640. The damn things just won't die 🤣. I would love the simplicity of the newer systems but it's hard to spend a lot of money to replace something that still works perfectly fine.

[@paulbvid]

Very educative cool!

[@Rio_Seco]

Been using pocket wizards with Speedotron, and Dynalite studio lights for 20 years on location and in studio. Some of the Dynalite packs have built in pocket wizards which make it very easy and fast. Add in a Sekonic light meter with a integrated pocket wizard, and things can move real quick. Pretty sure back in the day, you could get a Kodak SLR with an integrated PW. I have tried some Godox gear in the past, and all of the failed within a 6 months to a year. They just couldn't keep of with the beating that pro gear takes. Might be a good value for part timers though. If I had to buy all new gear, the only brand I would consider would be Speedotron or Alien Bees. Good pro gear so much cheaper, as it can and *should* last a photographer his or her entire career with minimal repairs.

[@Bob4golf1]

I still own a bunch of PocketWizards but frankly, don't use them much anymore. My studio lighting has it's own radio trigger system which is simple to use, Speedlight usage is rare and usually on-camera so I end up using my PW's as remote triggers which work just fine. Am I likely to buy additional units in the future - probably not. They work great but having a whole shelf full of them - I only use 2 at a time.

[@paulchampion3732]

Great content. I have 2 sets of Pocket Wizards, always worked great!

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

Great to hear!

[@freedomforevar1377]

Strange I found this video, because I found out about pocket wizard with the 358 lightmeter I purchased last week. It has the insert that works with pocketwizard Then today I picked up a used laptop bag that had been previously used as a camera bag. Inside one of the zipper pockets, was a pocketwizard modelMC-2 EINSTEIN 340-354Mhz I'm just trying to figure out how to make this work with my Canon r6 any suggestions

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

I'm happy you stumbled on my video! I'm not too sure how to make everything work with your camera, but I wish you the best of luck.

[@ste76539]

I have a full set of of six triggers with full ETTL as well as full manual control, the entire set was significantly cheaper than just one Pocket Wizard. Super reliable, never let me down, beautifully built, fantastic range. It's as simple as that. Who would spend £200 for one Pocket Wizard when you can get six just as good triggers for even less?

[@DaHuge1965]

I guess I’m “old skool”: “if it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it”! I stopped being wowed by every new & cheap trinket that hit the street, UNTIL pocket wizard hit the scene. My Sekonic meters triggered them and my life has been complete. If you don’t want the plus 3’s, I’ll gladly take ‘em off your hands. I’ve had only 1 instance in 20 years where there was an issue, and I resolved it by returning my units BACK to factory settings. Yes, they are relatively expensive, but (for me): THEY WORK! Sorry to hear LPA is circling the drain, but I’ll away be grateful for the device that worked so well for me.

[@joeblack7660]

The problem with Pocket Wizard is that they work. They are simple and dependable, so for most.... there is no need to keep buying the latest version as the old one works fine.

[@mmarruffo]

I need to buy the Pocket Wizard Plus III for sports photography. Pleaaaase someone who know where can i find a couple of them 🙏🏻

[@eyesonly4451]

I have a Profoto D4 2400 pack that has PW's 32-channel zone system builtin. Since all lighting control is at the D4 pack near the camera, all that's needed is the PW's trigger functionality. Remote control via wireless has become popular since the advent of lithium monolights. Having remote control of monolights keeps people off ladders. Pack & head systems don't benefit so much from remote control. All they need is sync.

[@gewglesux]

I love my PW'S still use them!! I'm not a Godox or yongnuo kinda guy.. but i do love my pro foto flashes

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

Good to hear!

[@richturnerphotography]

Interesting story about the company. I was just thinking I need to clean our my excess equipment this year. I have the FlexTT1 that never worked with the larger Canon flash; too much RFI and range was less than 10 ft, if I was lucky. Haven't used them in years and was just thinking I need to round them all up and get rid of them somehow. Is there a market for these used devices today?

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

I imagine that as technology continues to age, the secondary market will become even worse for PW. I imagine there are still a not small amount of studios who rely on PW trigger tech, though.

[@davidalanmedia]

Great review Joshua!

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

Thanks! I appreciate it.

[@Molaleni]

What happened? Two companies happened with these products and inspired others - Canon’s 600exRt, and Profoto’s D1 Air.

[@PattiSlattery-oo2db]

Actually, the word among photographers is that the Pocket Wizard is much more reliable than the cheaper Chinese versions. I'd rather pay more and have the ability to finish a photo shoot.

[@jimcook3882]

I started with the Pocket Wizard PLUS years ago, and had good luck until the contact needle on one unit somehow just disappeared ...?! Replaced with PLUS X units, and keep fingers crossed when powering them up for a shoot, as sometimes they just won't fire flashes... Change or rotate batteries, and they will work, but always cross my fingers. If I have future issues I will look into the GODOX products. Just not confident in reliability of the Pocket Wizards anymore.

[@lamarbur]

I have used Pocket Wizard 2 for over 10 years and found them to be reliable but, there are problems when I use them outdoors. I own four of them. I am primarily a documentary photographer, so I don't require them in this line of work. But I am a freelance photographer and if I get a referral, i turn my apartment into a studio. This weekend I used them but it was not the pocket wizard that was the issue, it was my old Nikon SB 800, one of them, that would not flash which became a real problem. Fortunately, I have the old Calumet 750 watt strobes for the real work. But event those are old but I refuse to upgrade as studio work is not what I do.

[@mdturnerinoz]

I think you overlooked the rise of LED lighting; that took a bite out of flash photography (e.g., Rotolite). I had Pws for 3-4 years but sold them all on eBay as I have switched to LED lighting.

[@marshalltravis3217]

I have the plus 2 and 3. I bought them used for a reasonable price and I love them.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

Good stuff!

[@TedNghiem]

I am surprised that they are still around. Since lighting manufacturers have their own transmitters and receiver system built into their lights, I don't see pocketwizard making any sort of head room in today's market.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

They certainly have a lot going against them.

[@shootermcgavin4999]

Used pocketwizard for catwalk remote hockey camera

[@SeanSullivan1958]

I have 5 of the PWII's. THey still work fine. Though I don't shoot flash as much as I used to. If I ever did have to replace them I'd probably go with Godox.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

Sounds like the common choice.

[@hopeallwell7228]

Pocket wizard support still answers noob questions. I got a 4 FlexTT5 and planned to use on my mechanical Hasselblad 500 C/M and other systems. I didn't know TT5 has just output ports no input ports. Support was helpful and knowledgable.

[@Reason-fg4ik]

I guess my question is, how many of a specialty item are they expecting to sell? In the first two decades they had little of any competition so they were a specialty item. Now the utility of the technology is ubiquitous. I biught a brand of studio strobes, in 2010, and bought their less expensive brand triggers when I purchased the strobes. I'll never need new studio equipment as I'm now retired but use it, mostly as a charitable service, for low income senior portraits. So I at some point I can see the market flooding with technology.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

It pays to be the first to market, and PocketWizard enjoyed that privilege for many years. PW tech is still great at controlling older strobe setups. Hopefully, owners of older systems can find as much life in their pro kit as you have.

[@TheVFXbyArt]

I used these when I had that canon 580 flashes and they became unreliable because of the radio emission from the the flashes. then in 2012 I go the canon 600 speed lights and their radios, that operated in the 2.4ghx range were flawless. Then 5G smartphones came out and my canon radios were failing. canon just announced a third version of the st-e3-rt radio transmitter, but it looks like it still operates at this 2.4 ghz range. Pocket wizards are suddenly desirable by canon professionals because they operate in the 350-400mhz range... a radio range un occupied by modern wifi devices. So you can now use the speed lights in venues saturated by 5G dynamic routers

[@ongtoni]

They will be the next Kodak before long in my opinion !! I had had invested alot on the FlexTTi and many other accessories and it no longer works on most newer mirrorless cameras. Most unfortunate experience.

[@Edwin--]

This company gives me a Kodak and Nokia vibe. If you fail to adopt changes and market developments in time, you become irrelevant as a company, despite having good legacy products.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

It happens to a lot of companies.

[@undertaken5200]

I recently purchased a godox setup. I really dont see how pocket wizard could compete in todays world. They should try wireless data devices with usb c ports or hdmi ports rather than flash control.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

I'm a Godox shooter now, too. Great kit options for a travelling photographer.

[@richryanphotography]

How is PocketWizard still in business. There is absolutely no need for them at this point!!

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

If you need a tried and true product for triggering a bunch of lights at say... a sports game, then there is very much still a use for them there. But the low and medium end of their product stack has certainly taken a hit.

[@richryanphotography]

@@DOPJoshDiaz very true... good point my friend!!

[@scottroberson8808]

Is there a company making a more reliable remote camera trigger? I stopped using them for strobes years ago but I haven't seen anything comparable to triggering a remote camera.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

I'm not too involved in flash photography anymore okay I know there was a big shift to Godox, and it's triggers

[@mikelevitt7365]

There is nothing that works as well, and has the same professional features as Pocket Wizard. But since the photo market is 99% amateurs, they will just post that the cheap junk that they are using is just as good. I have PW, Profoto, Broncolor and Godox triggers. PW, profoto and Bron all work well, but profoto has more features and much, much much more range. They are cheap now on the used market - I own a couple of dozen and am still buying more.

[@adriannasyraf3534]

what happened? Godox happened

[@AbbasBinYounas]

But then it's not a 10 minute video 😂

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

Oof.

[@ssi220]

Pocket wizards dropped the ball at research and development, my pocket wizards sucked so bad on my nikon mirrorless cameras that I was forced to go to godox.

[@hopeallwell7228]

I tested the FlexTT5 and the Z9. I need to change the TT5 to basic trigger on the MISC tab when connected to the computer. Once that's done, the TT5 became a basic trigger. You can't use any TTL but you sure can trigger the flash or strobe. The are two "channels," so one can still be fancy TTL kind of thing and the other channel can be used for the mirrorless where it's just a simple trigger. I don't know if they are designed for rechargeable batteries. But they seem to work better with fully charged batteries or simply alkaline. Sometimes turning off and on would also do the trick.

[@omegaman1409]

I started with pocket wizards but Godox swallowed up the whole industry.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

They certainly took a large cut.

[@glamourphotonetcom]

I use pocket Wizards for my photo events Studio strobes throughout the venue. Photographers just need to bring one pocket wizard I just channel for each flash unit that was set up.

[@diegopisante]

I had 3 Mini TTL, I think this is the name, and it was around 2011. I was trying to improve the 580EXII of camera flash, and soon Canon came with the 600RT I got rid of the Pocket Wizards because they never worked properly. Today, I use the Westcott system.