Need help with trans and receiver

Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 174 Location: Baltimore, MD

So, im purchasing two AB 1600 lights. Where I am confused is wirelessy setting off both. I was looking into pocket wizard. Would I need to purchase 1 Transceiver and 2 recivers? Also, im using a Nikon camera. Which model would I need? Even though it is wireless there still has to be cables. has to be a cable from reciever to ligh right? So I would need 2 of those cables as well. Which cables do I need, what are they called?

The setup im looking for is a main light and hair light, if that helps any. I really would prefer to stick with pocket wizard.

Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 190

Are you planing on using the AB1600 as a hair light? From what I've read, that will be VERY bright. Some even find the AB800 too bright as a key light for a small studio setup.

Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 174 Location: Baltimore, MD

ryguy76 wrote:

Are you planing on using the AB1600 as a hair light? From what I've read, that will be VERY bright. Some even find the AB800 too bright as a key light for a small studio setup.

Well we use 2 1600's at workone main and one hair light for all of our shoots and they come out great. I will ofcourse have a softbox on the hairlight and a big diffuser on the main light.

Premium Member Joined: 02 Apr 2005 Posts: 2020

Why bother with the Pocket Wizards when you can use the AB wireless system for far, far less? In fact, at $39.95 each, you can get two receivers , and one transmitter for much less than a single pocket wizard unit.

http://www.alienbees.com/remotes.html

Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 174 Location: Baltimore, MD

SingleMalt wrote:

Why bother with the Pocket Wizards when you can use the AB wireless system for far, far less? In fact, at $39.95 each, you can get two receivers , and one transmitter for much less than a single pocket wizard unit.

http://www.alienbees.com/remotes.html

I seen those but dont understand the difference between RFT1TX and RR1TX. I thought one was wireless and one isnt.

EDIT
I think I see. The rr1tx is much more because you can chnage the power level without actualy doing it manually. Am I wrong? Is this the only difference?

Joined: 13 Jan 2007 Posts: 245 Location: Maryland

Only need 1 transmitter and 1 slave.

The AB's have built in slaves that detect flashes. Put the wireless slave on the main, and set the hair to the built in slave.

I've had no problems with ~$40 slaves from ebay - see this thread for more info.

That or the AB slaves at $80 for a trigger and slave. Either would be the least expensive alternatives to Pocket Wizards.

hth,
Jacque

Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 174 Location: Baltimore, MD

Jacque D wrote:

Only need 1 transmitter and 1 slave.

The AB's have built in slaves that detect flashes. Put the wireless slave on the main, and set the hair to the built in slave.

I've had no problems with ~$40 slaves from ebay - see this thread for more info.

That or the AB slaves at $80 for a trigger and slave. Either would be the least expensive alternatives to Pocket Wizards.

hth,
Jacque

See, I read that too. I was just so excited about getting these lights that I forgot. That is a great feature. Going to make things much easier and save a few dollars.