The Death of POCKETWIZARD

Come and find out more of the Non KZbin pro photography jazz over here / tinhouse
Find out if pocket wizards are worth the money or if godox is a better option for off camera flash photography. We compare the two to help you get the best gear for your photography needs!
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[@kevinconnery1974]

My basic kit case has 5 PW transceivers, which gives me 4 lights and a trigger. They're all over 20 years old, and other than low battery issues, haven't misfired more than a handful of times. The Godox trigger is almost as reliable, and much more flexible, but I've got a bunch of old, non-smart, pre-radio lights, and the Wizards just keep working. If I'm using simple lighting, I use the Godox trigger with Godox lights; when I mix Godox and much older lights, I attach a PW receiver to a basic Godox trigger, and can trigger both types easily from the PW transmitter. Most studios I've used have PocketWizards as an option, even if they also have brand-dedicated radios as well. Easy to use, reliable, and pretty ubiquitous, even if (or perhaps because) they're very old technology.

[@josephchan4198]

I still have a pair and still works. When I went to a studio years ago, they were using Pocket wizard for shared models.

[@JDFloyd]

Scott, you are a pro's pro! I use a PhaseOne XF, and even though it has a built in Profoto synch, I have 2-sets each of external 1) Profoto triggers & cables, plus 2) Pocket Wizards basics & cables. Triggers, along with extra Tether Tools cables, CF cards, and lens/sensor cleaning supplies are always with me - one in my studio locker, and one in my location bag. Whenever I upgrade or replace kit like this, I put the older & still usable items in a tub, in my studio locker...just in case. Great videos!

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Have used and will use my PW for many years, triggering my remote cameras and flashes, Ive never had an issue, they are tough and reliable, had a friend of mines son drop on in a river whilst we were messing about with some remote camera work... in a bag of rice, no worries, still works like a dream. Tough pro bits of kit, always have them in the bag!

[@juancarlosguzman2827]

I used to use them back in the days with speed lights and they work great

[@tcphoto]

I owned the original Pocket Wizard set and loved them and I currently own a couple PW PlusX units. I do use hyper sync from time to time and added one of their Flex TT6 units.

[@Twobarpsi]

"It works!" Solid advice!

[@davidward1224]

An additional benefit is that Pocket Wizard, when originally designing these triggers, had to register a specific frequency with the authorities. That means it's a protected frequency unlike most triggers today that use the 2.4Gh range which is subject to RF interference including microwave ovens and other non-radio devices. That does mean, however, that your trigger that works in UK isn't compatible with the same trigger sold and used in the US.

[@big-smoke-rc]

For the purpose of a remote trigger, 2.4 is absolutely fine. The interference is still nominal and the latency isn't affected because bandwidth is hardly an issue with a trigger.

[@davidward1224]

@@big-smoke-rc 2.4 is fine until there is interference and strobes start going off randomly.

[@YogueDaddy]

Finally someone that understands this. 2.4Ghz is such a pain in certain situations. PocketWizards are my saving grace for many jobs.

[@ritrattoaziendale]

Always used PW for over 10 years with my manual strobes; when entered the Godox ecosystem, I ditched them for the Godox tx/rx system. But I still can fire my old kit (and any decent studio strobe) via a Godox receiver (X1R) which is like having a PW, or simply via optical cell.

[@gordonjohnston684]

I have used those triggers for years and it works, meaning it has never ever misfired ever on a shoot {ever}.

[@sgroadie6367]

I have a PW2 and it works with my built in receiver on Profoto. I also use Godox. And I only need the single contact version as I only shoot strobe on manual.

[@andrewfoto]

Mine are still going 20 years on. Great bit of kit.

[@samcooper5539]

I've considering picking up a few of these becuase the building I'm in eats the godox trigger signals (and everything else wireless really) For now I keep a couple long PC sync cables in the bag.

[@stefan_gribi]

I bought my Pocket Wizard over a decade ago and have used them since. Simple and reliable, that's what I like.

[@chadwickerman]

I've had my PocketWizard Plus II's for ten or fifteen years. They still work, still trigger the strobes, never had any problems with them. I don't know why I'd need another until these stop working.

[@cmichaelanthonyimages2197]

I here you...problem is they are hard to find. You can't even find used here in yhe U.S. I did a search about 2 weeks ago and could not find any. For me, less complecated is better. I want not be spending time playing when Im shooting since I have a mix of new and old lights.

[@robertleeimages]

Geez I wish we could post screenshots, seriously literally the 2nd suggested video under this is a video called "The decline of the pocket wizard, what happened" 😂

[@AB-eq5so]

I purchased a pair last year to trigger remote cameras (Sony) for sports. The best of kit I have purchsed... and pretty cheap off of ebay. A game changer for perspective and angles you can't always cover, when on a shoot.

[@ThirdEyeVisuals]

Which model did you purchase and how’s the range on them? Looking to do something similar with my a7iv and a7iii

[@hajmanek]

I just bought another two of those babies, they never let me down 😁

[@richardgoodwin-wilcox]

Was that a deliberate visual pun? (puts pocket wizard in pocket)

[@alexa-n-gramps]

Pocket Wizards aren't the be all, do all triggers people are being led to believe - and never have been. My grandfather and I tested a number of triggers and settled on one of those Chinese made triggers you mentioned in your video. WHY? Simple. The Yongnuo triggers are easy to set and use, are compatible with all major camera brands and they never failed in our outdoor HOT & HUMID tests. From right next to the cameras & flashes placed more 400 FEET away. All of the other brands we tested FAILED! The Pocket Wizards barely made it 60 yards before starting to fail. Also, the Yongnuo triggers are self-contained "TRANSCEIVERS." There's NO need for a separate transmitter/receiver set up. Using just 2-AAA batteries they last for a very long time (even after accidentally stepping on one and needing a rubber band to fix it), before needing new batteries. They also sport 16 channels to prevent flash conflicts. . Unfortunately, people keep spending hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, on big names that fail. I've learned costly is never the right answer to obtain an awesome product. All of my photography is outdoor, on-location work in temps up to, and exceeding 120ºF. I live on a tropical island just 15°N of the equator. Sometimes, simple and less costly IS the best answer. Oh, and unlike many name brands, Yongnuo triggers are based on RF, not IR. That means I have NO NEED for line of sight to the receiver unit. I can shoot around corners, through trees and bushes, and pretty much anywhere else (including from inside my pocket when dealing with kids that won't smile until it's hidden - a trick I often use!). IR triggers MUST have a line of sight to the "receiver" required by other brands and purchased separately. I can even point the Yongnuo up into the air and the flashes go off with no issues. . I'd recommend to anyone wanting a durable, reliable, all-inclusive remote release - avoid big expensive names, and purchase RF transceiver triggers, like Yongnuo and spend all of the money saved on other camera accessories. Just my personal observations of using the same Yongnuo remotes for nearly 20 years, and my grandfather - well, far longer. Cool video. Reminded me that just because a particular item has a big name doesn't mean it's the best one out there. Thanks for that. ~Alexa

[@YogueDaddy]

I will have to correct you a bit here. I have tested many transmitters/receivers/transceivers and many kind of triggers, and PocketWizards, especially those that are upgraded to the E-release firmware, are by far the most reliable. Fact is : Pocket Wizards operate on sub-Ghz frequencies and most other triggering system operate on 2.4GHz, which is very prone to interference since there's so much stuff happening on these kinds of frequencies. Most PocketWizards are transceivers as you say your Yongnuo triggers are. PocketWizards are not using IR to trigger, so I'm not sure why you are talking about that. I'll tell you what : PocketWizards will destroy any other transmitter/receiver as far as triggering range goes. I was able to trigger a flash 550m away with a river under us on normal triggering mode and I was able to trigger a flash 2.25km away using long range mode. Guaranteed nothing else can touch that. I'm sure your Yungnuo are fine. I doubt they are 20 years old as I don't think that company existed 20 years ago, but saying that they can beat PocketWizards in range and reliability... I will never believe this.

[@juergenbaumann8817]

An important take away is, that getting it right in front of the lens, before you take the shot in most use cases is key. Including doing all the prep work, test shoots, being on time, setting up properly and in my case I tend to take notes so that I can refer to it later on.

[@tron23058]

Profoto remotes can control power, remotely. I use that all the time, especially with overhead lights.

[@mastaLuke2]

May the wizard be with you ✌🏻

[@martinsmith6049]

I didn't expect to see a vid on pw s

[@jonjanson8021]

Simplicity is divinity. Simplicity is reliability and saves time farting about with menus and settings. If I need to adjust a light I walk over to the light and adjust it with the big simple black knob. The strenuous exercise is good for me.

[@dreadnoughtphotowerkz]

Honestly, I don't use Pocket Wizard to fire my strobe lights. I use Pocket Wizard to fire remote cameras. And honestly, I've never tried to use any other system to do that job. If you know another system, please let me know.

[@Castlelanestudios]

I had an annoying oddity today, actually my first paying studio rental customer of course!!!!!! I had a Hahnel captur radio trigger set that I've owned for 5+ years and only used for remote shutter or speedlight triggering. Bought a (genuine) Hahnel studio trigger cable, and thought nothing more of it. Come to this morning getting ready for the first studio customer I think "Well I should probably test this, and the batteries..." No worky. CRAP, I bet their camera hasn't got a proper PC sync output to use the cable... About an hour of fiddling with the Captur triggers and volt meter etc confirms that the triggers work fine, the flash heads work fine, the cable works fine, but for some odd reason it is unable to trigger any of my Bowens heads, possibly a wrong resistance or some oddity. Called a friend round the corner, borrowed a pair of Pocket Wizards, worked instantly. NEVER ASSUME! Happy customer anyway :-D Booked another 3 hours next week which will pay for the PWs.

[@imjasonennis3624]

I’ve had the same issue. They can unpair from each other quite easily. The process to repair involves holding down the button on the transmitter then turning it on. Do the same for the receiver while also continuing to hold the button on the transmitter. You’ll see the lights flash and then you can cycle the power on both and they should be paired. I miss my pocket wizard plus II.

[@Castlelanestudios]

@@imjasonennis3624 Yeah I had thought of that, but they were definitely paired, worked in all other setups. (and I had also tried that just-in-case) I've ordered a few cheap triggers so there's always something available plus backup cables and a hot-shore/PC sync adapter.

[@jpdj2715]

Confirmed. I use PocketWizard FlexTT5 transceivers between camera(s) and flashes, but a pair of PlusX as remote. Engineers say, you cannot make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious. Well, the PlusX comes as close as you can get to foolproof (that's "Narrensicher" for the Gerries).

[@barryobrien1890]

Yes unless you need fancy high speed sync or try to trigger a profoto with an iPhone Reliability wins most of the time

[@pitchygroans]

How do pros and rental shops deal with Profoto B10s that don't have a sync port? They can only be fired with Profoto's triggers or as slaves, so curious if they have been rejected by photographers that rent kit

[@TinHouseStudioUK]

I dont think I have ever seen them out and about. Usually use use pack and head systems for work.

[@tarktari]

When you say it works with any camera, you mean it. It works with my 70 year old large format camera (with a mangled adapter cable)

[@Loop1Photography]

I’m going to disagree with you on the Elinchrom triggers. They work great when they work but will stop working right in the middle of a shoot for seemingly no f’ing reason and you play hell getting them to start working again. That was a big reason I switched to Broncolor.

[@ducnguyen1999]

canon do have some camera without center pin

[@makalu69]

I still keep half a dozen Pocket Wizards... just in case!

[@Mikebuehrle]

pocket wizards are awesome.

[@chrisogrady28]

I used to use a load of Plus Xs and they were trash, they had bad signal range in complex setups, they misfired at least 10% of the time. The cabling is all dodgy and unreliable, I've found the Godox system much more reliable. It is so annoying doing fast paced 3 light events and having to cull the photos based on which ones all 3 bloody lights fired in one shot. It was about 40%.

[@Being_Joe]

I would still buy these if I found a good deal.

[@josephchan4198]

Still easy and good unit but their competition now

[@Beninlondon]

Godox make the Broncolor triggers.

[@Loop1Photography]

Yeah but they work

[@andrefelixstudio2833]

I do think Pocket Wizard are over priced and I sold mine to put my $ to better use, I have been a professional LA photographer for about 30years +. I have been using the Neewer studio flash trigger's so I do not have that big Wizard receiver on top of my camera waving about! I also use reachable battery's which last a long time! Having smaller stuff brings down my carbon (Scam) foot print, LOL

[@thebelly925]

I find your comments a bit confusing: “We have different light and cameras on every job.” The last video you stated you only use one of two lights and one of a few cameras, all provided by rental houses, with a tech guy to make sure it all works together. This may just be my perception, but I refuse to let my silly novice perception overshadow your experience in the field.

[@TinHouseStudioUK]

Yes, so two lighting brands, but they may send a bron grafit, scoro or Satos, then if they send a Phase, it might be an XF, DF, Cambo MV with digital lens etc, so there are a lot of combination just with one light brand and one sensor brand. Having a PW means any combo of the above will work with a trigger I know. Hope that helps explain it.

[@nasaAttackDog]

Misleading title.

[@RayValdezPhotography]

they were cool like 10 years ago. Literally no reason to have them in 2024 unless you have some ancient strobes or flashes.

[@Raymond23rdOBC]

This video triggered me.

[@doughowell3171]

Buff has bullshit triggers. But their lights are adequate.