Sekonic L358 & Pocket Wizard Plus II remote triggering real world range test

Being able to remotely activate your camera's shutter has always fascinated me. The applications are endless. This is one of the benefits of a DSLR system. Using the wired electronic shutter release cable, Canon timer remote TC-80N3, eliminates camera shake and offers some other cool features such as intervalemeter (Time lapse) shooting and long exposure capability. You're still tethered to the camera of course.

Also testing a couple of remote shutter triggering methods wirelessly from a distance. Using the Sekonic L-358 and the Sekonic Radio Triggering Module RT-32 installed as well as the Pocket Wizard Plus II units themselves. Using the PocketWizard CM-N3-P Pre-Trigger Motor Cord for Canon to trigger the Canon 30D. The 580EXII flash was triggered in relay mode where the channel is set one higher than the one assigned to the camera. Being able to take a light reading on one channel then switch to another channel to trigger the whole setup from the Sekonic L-358 is awesome! Frees me from having to get another Pocket Wizard unit.

In my unscientific real world test indicated the range at around 50 feet for the Sekonic L358 and about 150 feet using the Pocket Wizard Plus II to trigger the setup. As other users have found, the 1000+ range advertised is very optimistic at best.

Canon 580 EX II flash units have been known to emit some interference when used with the Pocket Wizards. I haven't tried the shielding material, but have some on hand and may duplicate the test to see how much of a difference it really makes.

Video shot with Canon PowerShot SD780IS Digital Elph point and shoot ultra compact camera.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Pocket
• Wizard
• Plus
• II
• Sekonic
• L358
• PW
• module
• radio
• remote
• Canon
• 30D
• 580EXII
• PocketWizard
• CM-N3-P
• Pre-Trigger
• Motor
• Cord
• for
• 17-40
• F4L
• 70-200
• timer
• TC-80N3
• Joby
• Gorillapod
• SLR
• mini
• flexible
• tripod
• with
• Manfrotto
• 484RC2
• Mini
• Ball
• Head
• RC2
• Rapid
• Connect
• Plate
• Radio
• Triggering
• Module
• RT-32
• PowerShot
• SD780IS
• Digital
• Elph

[bratz2]

Agree with many other comments. I was cringing throughout the video thinking gear was going to go for a swim!

[LEXPIX]

@bratz2 This video would have a lot more hits if the gear did take a dip in the water I bet. LOL

[Supralobe]

Doesn't pocketwizard claim a mile range? Or is that only for the multimax units?

[LEXPIX]

@Supralobe Maybe out at sea with no radio interference whatsoever.

[vadimggg]

that is too intense to watch.... there were so many moments that i thought camera will end up 'tripping' into the water....

[LEXPIX]

@vadimggg Yeah, I did put way too much trust in that flexible plastic joints now that I look back on it.

[IDPhotography]

seriously, why the hell places their 5D so close to the waters' edge? I am asking you. This is stupid!

[IgorJeri]

Thanks for the vid, it was useful.



[4Alpha7Kilo]

@IDPhotography Hate to be picky, but it's actually a 30D as already stated ;)

[CanonDaddy]

You have some mad faith in that gorillapod! Good vid thanks

[LEXPIX]

@naignik PocketWizard CM-N3-P Pre-Trigger Motor Cord for Canon to trigger the Canon and the mini plug came witht he PW to connect it to it.