New Wireless devices from PocketWizard!

[Athena]

I've done more reading and have realised that they will indeed NOT work together. I need to either buy the FCC frequency pocketwizards that technically should not be used here in Europe because they transmit on a restricted frequency (what penalties or problems does this create?), or replace the transmitter (is that possible) in my sekonic light meter. Will investigate the latter later today.

Why is nothing ever simple?

[Athena]

this is from the Sekonic site:

Originally Posted by Sekonic

Do not install a CE marked module into an FCC marked meter or FCC marked module into a CE marked meter as this will produce a unit that is not compatible with either frequency.

So either I use FCC Pocketwizards with the meter I have, or I have to buy CE Pocketwizards AND a new meter to match.

PS: The Plus IIs cost 169 at B&H, here they cost 298. The L-358 that I already have (and cost about 250) costs over 800 here!

[Killjoy]

I'd be getting the US models myself. I can't afford to buy the expensive European versions.
You are not going to be living there permanently.
What do they do to people on vacation with equipment that doesn't conform?
Then if you DO buy the European vesrions, what do you do with them when you come back to the States?

Edit: And you already have the meter and the module to trigger the US versions.........

[Athena]

yeah, my thinking is very similar. I am over on the Midwest site having little strobist dreams at the moment.

I'm thinking the majority of the time I'd be using these in my basement studio, where I can't get a mobile phone signal. So I figure the likelihood of RFI is low and they are not likely going to bother anyone else...

[EOS_JD]

Originally Posted by Athena

yeah, my thinking is very similar. I am over on the Midwest site having little strobist dreams at the moment.

I'm thinking the majority of the time I'd be using these in my basement studio, where I can't get a mobile phone signal. So I figure the likelihood of RFI is low and they are not likely going to bother anyone else...

To be honest they should be ok - emergency services and mobiles use the frequency that the US PWs use. You can interfere with that as well as them interfering with you though. I'm not a radio tech (although I do work in telecoms).

I ended up buying the Elinchrom Skyports.

[cyclohexane]

I need to either buy the FCC frequency pocketwizards that technically should not be used here in Europe because they transmit on a restricted frequency (what penalties or problems does this create?)

You should be fine, especially if you're in a basement most of the time. I've heard of photographers traveling out of the US and using FCC wizards for assignments without issue.

I ended up buying the Elinchrom Skyports.

These units are also quite nice. They're in between the Cactus and Pocket Wizard Plus, and have some cool Elinchrom-specific features if one intends to use it with strobes in the future.

[Athena]

It they worked universally with everything else like the PWs do, I'd get those...

[EOS_JD]

Originally Posted by Athena

It they worked universally with everything else like the PWs do, I'd get those...

I think they do? I can use with my 580 (in manual mode) - You do need a small hotshoe adapter though (costs about $13 from flashzebra.com)

The skyport universal kit works with all studio brands and I think all camera flash too as far as I'm aware.

Just not in ETTL or in high speed sync mode.

[cyclohexane]

I think Athena is referring to the fact that Sekonic meters can trigger Pocket Wizards.

Also, Norman and several other brands make heads and monoblocks with internal Pocket Wizard receivers.

[Athena]

Michael is right, I do want my meter to work with them. I'd also like to trigger the camera with them.

If I could get them to run the vacuum and do the ironing, that would also be nice.

[Killjoy]

Originally Posted by Athena

If I could get them to run the vacuum and do the ironing, that would also be nice.

[dwightmccann]

Athena, I'd go with the Plus II's and avoid the TT1/5 business at this point and I'd get the ones compatible with your meter and just not mention it further. It is highly unlikely that anyone will ever notice your tiny bit of RF noise. I still use my PW II's and in preference to the TT1/TT5's in the studio.

[Athena]

Brilliant - thank you again for your advice.

Today is going to be a massive internet ordering day here.