Phottix Strato Review: Flash Trigger with TTL Pass-Through

[hakimz92]

hi, my plan is to use 3 speedlight as a slave. Is this phottis strato 1 or 2 compatible for yongnuo speedlight and can it be use outdoor ? im shooting for outdoor sports photography. thanks

[Getthatgirloffmydeck]

@hakimz92 Yea Im in the same situation! So any answers?

[raylotier]

Have you had a chance to look at the PIXEL King Wireless Radio E-TTL II E-TTL Flash Triggers yet. They look like a great alternative to PW's. There real new so I'm kinda hesitant of throwing down the money for them.

[plasticvideo]

Question: Does the commander need to be a Canon flash for TTL, what other (cheaper) brands can I get away with?

[pramodmeee]

Excellent!!! I was looking for something like this for a while.

[Snakekilla12]

would I be able to do off-camera flash with the Phottix Strato? with just the transceiver on my hotshoe...

[JDMeyerPhoto]

Thanks for your reviews! I am a Canon shooter and am looking into either getting the CowboyStudio NPT-04 or the Phottix Strato II Multi triggers. I just found out about the Pixel King Wireless TTL Flash Triggers and was wondering if you have any information on them?

[torque667]

Great review again. Thanks!



[kbb6w4]

So is it like the Cactus V5 with the TTL pass through?

[steeletraining]

@kbb6w4 - The shoe on the Cactus V5 does NOT transmit TTL information. On the Strato it does. Big difference. See my video review of the V5 for more details.

[kbb6w4]

@steeletraining Have you tried the new Phottix Odin TTL Flash Triggers? They seem to have almost everything a photographer could ever need other than the transmitter allowing for a flash to be mounted to it.

[steeletraining]

@kbb6w4 - Yes, I love the Phottix Odin. Best trigger I've ever used. You can read my review of it on my blog.

[ixeaxe65]

Can i use flashes of different brands with this ? Like I use my Sony hvl 42 and a Metz 44 and just put them both on a receiver ?

[steeletraining]

@ixeaxe65 - Different flashes are triggered in different ways, so you should contact Phottix and check on the compatibility with those flashes. I've found them to be very responsive on technical questions.

[apatizgonjess]

whether to CLS as commander?

[jschneider28]

@steeletraining ~ Update

I saw the comment below by @MattAndi and looked up the Strato II. They include wireless shutter release! I'm just going to drop a little extra money and go with these, unless you respond to my comments an convince me to change my mind!

[steeletraining]

@jschneider28 - Guys, I love the Strato II Multi and recently reviewed it on my blog (not a video, just a write-up) but YouTube won't let me post the link here. Let's just say go to my SteeleVisions site and click on the blog link and look at recent posts.

Cheers,

[jschneider28]

@steeletraining ~ Continued

MY QUESTION: Instead of needing the Strato Pass-through feature, is there a shoe cord with a hot shoe on top with ttl pass-through and at the end of the wire?

This would allow users to attach a shoe cord on top the camera with a canon speedlite at the end of the cord and then place the Cactus V5 on top to transmit to other cheaper flashes.

Sorry this is confusing but I really like everything about the Cactus but love the ttl pass-through of the Stratos.

[steeletraining]

@jschneider28 - I would love a shoe cord with a TTL hot shoe on top as you describe. Haven't found one. If anybody knows of one, point us to it please!

[jschneider28]

@steeletraining ~ I am debating between the Cactus V5 and the Strato. I agree with you on the convenience of the ttl pass-through of the Strato but I can't get over the price of the Cactus. I can buy 2 sets of Cactus V5s and have one trigger and 3 recievers for about $130. Plus I can use the Cactus as a Remote Trigger. A Strato set is about $80 then add receivers for about $60 a pop. So it would cost about $200 with no remote trigger. My question follows this comment. No more characters left.

[MattAndi]

you should get your hands on some phottis strato ii and review them (:

[erwinlius]

hi there, i want to get this but i am not sure if yongnuo Rf602 better or this one? could you please let me know which one is much better?

[steeletraining]

@erwinlius - Both the Strato and the Yongnuo are great. I prefer the Strato for its TTL pass through and the way you can test separate groups individually with a switch on the side. But the Yongnuo costs less if you're on a tight budget. Either way you can't lose.

[erwinlius]

@steeletraining Thank you thank you ^^

[str8erro1]

thank you thank you thank you.

[Xannava]

Nice, easy to understand video!

I'm planning to get this, largely because I want a wireless shutter release.

Does this fit my requirements?

Thanks! =)

[steeletraining]

@Xannava - Hi, yes it also works as a wireless shutter release.

[kumarramachandran]

is there any big difference between this and the cybersync in terms of performance? if i buy 2 receivers and a transmitter i save about $60 bucks. and also, the transmitter in the strato takes AAA batteries which is convenient. However, the only skepticism (negligible) for me is the fact that Alienbees has been very reliable overall as a brand based on reviews. I may be wrong. Could you suggest??? i am leaning towards Strato though

[ApertureLabsLLC]

@kumarramachandran the cybersync+ can set the ABs remotely. If you're considering getting a PCB commander, you can use it with the cybersyncs and never have to go to the lights to set them manually. There is also a CSR+ can also be fed through the AC power, so you never have to worry about batteries when used with an ABs strobe.

So, yes, there is a difference between the two.

[lukic787]

Thanks for sharing

[MrBlitzdingser]

Famous review, especially at it covers Canon's special aspects (which enjoys me as a Canon photographer). Great presentation, so, thanks very much.

[elbob2583]

I want to thank you for this review of the Strato Flash Trigger's. This convinced me to buy them and I have been using them in Weddings and other events. I now use a 580 EX II on top and two 430 EX II on light stands with umbrellas.

There is only one thing that I noticed, and I don't know if its a problem with my Starto, but when I the Flash that is mounted shoots at a different moment than the ones on the Receivers. Did you come across this situation?

Once again,

Thank you.

[ApertureLabsLLC]

I ordered a set of these, based partially on your review. Unfortunately, I didn't use your affiliate link, so I guess I owe you a beer.

For mass portraits, I set all the lights on channel 1, except for the hair light. That one I put on channel 2. I can simply set it to "all on" and everything will fire. But when a bald guy comes in, the last thing he needs is a hair light bouncing off that shiny dome. So, it's simple to switch to chan 1 to turn off the hair light, with no embarrassment!

[MrFreddelicious]

Better than the written reviews!

Thank you from Sweden

[flashpointphoto]

"unfortunatley I had the RF-602's inmy bag" LOL ..you said that twice.

nice review though. great video

[themortalimmortal34]

Why couldn't you just plug the RF-602 into the sync port on the side of the camera and still use your hotshoe cord for the ettl on the 580exII?

[Electricrick]

Maybe just what I have been waiting for. Thanks for getting the word out.

I shoot dancers from time to time. Having the trigger would be fun.

[venuslnd]

Nice vdo very easy to understand. how must does this cost and where to get them? thanks.

[steeletraining]

@venuslnd - Hi, you can check pricing the buy them at the Phottix store, expand the box under the video to find a link.

[JCortens]

Very helpful! Thanks!