Cactus V2s Wireless Flash Trigger Review 4 of 4

Video 4 of 4 detailing my experience with the Cactus V2s wireless flash trigger system. Includes two modifications to the flash trigger system.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• wireless
• flash
• trigger
• cactus
• v2s
• ebay
• triggers
• strobist
• camera
• flashes
• tutorial
• review
• modification

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[negruxo13]

Excellent! 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.