Cactus V2s Wireless Flash Trigger Review 4 of 4

[BuffoonCinema]

These wireless triggers don't work with speeds faster than 1/200 or 1/250 shutter speed sync. Too bad.

[motleypixel]

@BuffoonCinema Not for me (and most others)...1/250th isn't a problem.

[coriger]

I wonder if some of the indoor tests failed because the flash hadn't recycled and wasn't ready. You were shooting pretty fast.

[motleypixel]

@coriger Yes I wondered about that too...there are newer versions anyway out so check them out...I think I had the flash pwr set at the lowest pwr setting for fast re-cycle time.

[jaredtkatz]

If I'm going to want to do some macro photography in a studio environment, should I get the Cactus V2s and two Sunpak 383's or should I get one 580ex II? I'm on a budget which is why it's one or the other. What should I get with my flash/flashes, umbrellas or diffusers? I'm new to flash photography, so any tips would be appreciated.

[motleypixel]

@jaredtkatz So studio macro? I'd look up on the net how to build and use DIY soft-boxes and you may be able to get away with just one flash and a sync cord. If it were me just starting out, I would get a 580ex II...it's just some much more versatile and you would end up using it on camera for normal stuff.

[monopodi78]

I moded my Cactus and I have a range of 120 metres with about 10 cm standard wire antenna lenght. And it triggers inside my house throug two concrete walls, distance is about 6 meters. Not bad for that amount of investment.

[motleypixel]

@monopodi78 Very good, I've seen these mods too and they do work well...just electrically lengthening the antenna with a coil. I would highly recommend looking at the CTR-301's...I did a review of them too.

[negruxo13]

Excellent! thanks

[MARIUS436]

do you know if is working with nikon sb-400??..i want to connect one sb-900 + sb-400

thanks

[motleypixel]

yes but I would recommend the ctr-301 triggers over these cactus v2s now. See my video stream as I've reviewed the ctr-301 triggers too which will work with Nikon sb flashes too.

[slindenman]

what a great wife your have to put up with this shizzle

[foxjaw]

would it be possible to add antennas to the receivers?

[nickyisanicky]

thank you!

[dudwity]

thank you:)

[chocice2000]

really good video man

[GianpaoloLaPaglia]

great video!! Thanks!!

[Buku9]

Video was great. The mod looks a little difficult but I'm sure I could probably make it work. I personally use the Nikon CLS system but can't say I have been overly impressed. I'm still considering investing in Pocket Wizards but after this video i think i just may give these things a try. Thanks for the review!

[Tastemystyl3]

Don'T Waste money, CACTUS Wireless Flash Trigger V2s u cant get the SYNC speed needed to do anything creative. Box says 1000/ but canon only 200 fail!

wtf

Ts = shutter speed

Tf = flash speed

Tr = transmission time from V2 transmitter to receiver

Tfv2 = responding time of the flash after V2 is in use

Tfv2 = Tf - Tr, Therefore, Tr = 1/500s Tfv2 = Tf - Tr = 1/500s Therefore Ts = 2 x Tfv2 = 1/125s only.

So don't waste your money, buy the pocket wizard

[hettyisweg]

Thanks alot for doing this instruction vid!

I sure am going to try this.

Wish i had enough money for PW's haha.

[vicfrom47]

great video.

could your 10% failure indoors be attributed to flash recycle lag time?

[SpeedFreakNO]

Looked like he fired them pretty quick, so it wouldn't surprise me. With the distance it worked with outside makes it weird that it doesn't work at 12 feet inside.

[sminxsmjs]

great video, so does this mean i cannot use these triggers in Av mode or anything else? just manual mode?

[ilnn408]

i think he means manual on your flash unit because he said it is not ettl compatible.. whatever that means im still trying to figure it out, someone wanna help?

[i77ac10]

Great video, great info with the test results! I've modified mine similarly and I'll try some measured tests to see how mine compare.

[pedraopy]

Nice review !

[InsatiableMonkey]

Great job man :). I know it takes a lot of work to make videos like this and as a fellow modder/guide-writer, I can commiserate.

[wremines]

Thank you very much for taking the time to do the video. I will be useing it to do the range mod. on my Blazzeo V2s Trigger. I know they are a different manufacturer than Cactus, but they look the same with the same guts. I am, so far, very happy with the results of the test I've done with mine. With in 40 feet...NO missfires. At 60 feet they get about 20% failure. Not bad without mod.

Thanks again.

[wilcop]

thanks for this awesome review

[syafiqh2k]

how bout the 16 chanel for studio flash? how bout using the same transmiter on both. pt-04 and the 16 chanel.. maybe anyone can modify the transmitter.

[motleypixel]

Yes, slave mode...uh oh...so I re-tested with slave off and same results.

-Roy

[kenkoy008888]

I noticed that the flashes are blinking during the indoor test, were they on slave mode?