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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Alien Bees Cyber Sync Remotes for Sports?
Christopher Corradino, Photographer
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Wantagh | NY | United States | Posted: 7:18 AM on 09.26.08 |
->> I'd like to pick up the Cyber Sync remotes designed by Paul Buff on the Alien Bees site. http://www.alienbees.com/cybersync.html
They look like a good, inexpensive alternative to the PW's. This would be for local high school and college sporting events.
Does anyone have feedback on their own experiences with them for shooting sports?
Thanks very much!
Chris |
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Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
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McAllen | TX | USA | Posted: 9:38 AM on 09.26.08 |
->> I've been using a set for over a month and they're working just fine. I haven't done any long range (more than 50 feet) work but interior testing has them fine out to 200 feet or so.
For $70 each (transmitter or receiver) plus Buff's excellent 60-day money back guarantee you couldn't really go wrong ordering a set to see if they do what you need them to do.
I sold a PW Plus transmitter/receiver combo and with the money bought one Cyber transmitter and three receivers with money left over. |
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Stew Milne, Photographer
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Providence | RI | USA | Posted: 9:51 AM on 09.26.08 |
->> They look interesting. Quick question though. Can they be used to trigger a remote camera as well? I didn't see an literature on the site about it.
-sM |
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Yamil Sued, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Peoria | AZ | USA | Posted: 10:15 AM on 09.26.08 |
->> I haven't used them as a Camera Remote, but I've heard that they DO Work!! Paul Tested it himself with his D300 and he says it works. I need to get a Camera Cable to test it myself. I'll post as soon as do. BTW, I have been using the Cyber Synch in the Studio since it came out, at first the signal coming out of the receiver wouldn't trip Speedo Packs, but I told them and within one month they had a fix for it and they replaced my units with new ones.
Y |
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Christopher Corradino, Photographer
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Wantagh | NY | United States | Posted: 11:10 AM on 09.26.08 |
->> I downloaded the pdf manual from their site. It confirms that you can use it to trip a remote camera.
Here's a clip from the manual:
"Both the CSR and CSRB receivers are capable of remotely tripping a camera shutter from the CST transmitter test button. You will need an auxillary remote shutter cable for your particular camera. Flashzebra.com carries inexpensive cables for this purpose."
Chris |
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Bill Ross, Photographer
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Colorado Springs | CO | USA | Posted: 12:55 PM on 09.26.08 |
| ->> Been using them for about two months or and have never had a false trigger or anything unexpected. I haven't used them for remotes yet. I have the cables but haven't tried it. Nice little units and inexpensive. |
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Yamil Sued, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Peoria | AZ | USA | Posted: 2:27 PM on 09.26.08 |
->> Bill,
Please test it and let me know how it works!!
Y |
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Brian Schneider, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Clemson | SC | | Posted: 1:29 PM on 10.30.08 |
->> I've been looking into getting a set of these myself. I've searched for reviews online and people have said the range is good, and doesn't misfire, but that the construction is on the cheap side.
Anybody else have any good or bad feelings on these? Anybody trip remotes with these? |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 1:49 PM on 10.30.08 |
->> Jim what kind of sync speeds are you able to get? I have Buff's older RFT1's and am able to get my full sync at 1/250 while their older remotes topped out at 1/180th.
I've looked at these too, and given that I can get 50% credit on the RFT1 units may just go and make the leap. |
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Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
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McAllen | TX | USA | Posted: 2:41 PM on 10.30.08 |
->> "...what kind of sync speeds are you able to get?"
I'm using them with a Canon 5D and it works fine at the camera's 1/200 sec max sync speed.
Also, I'd consider the construction quality to be on a par with that of Pocket Wizards. I have the AC powered receivers. |
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Jason Brown, Photographer
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Houston | TX | USA | Posted: 2:55 PM on 10.30.08 |
->> I've remotely triggered a 30D and a Mark III with these with no problems at all (and with the FlashZebra cord actually). Very handy and great price.
I'd recommend the battery powered receivers unless you're guaranteed to have a power source nearby. |
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Damon Tarver, Photographer
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San Jose | CA | USA | Posted: 4:53 PM on 10.30.08 |
->> The free trigger they shipped with my AB B800's broke after one use, so I wasn't in a hurry to buy more from them, but the feedback here seems pretty positive...
Thanks to all for the feedback. |
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Jim Metzendorf, Photographer
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Columbus | OH | United States | Posted: 4:37 PM on 11.21.08 |
->> I bought one CyberSync transmitter and two battery powered receivers. I am using them to trigger 580 EX II and SB-800 speedlights. They are working great for me - No misfiring or sync speed issues whatsoever. As Jim Colburn mentioned, the build quality is 100% on par with the Pocket Wizards. In fact, I think the smaller size of the transmitter will prove to be an asset in terms of durability and ruggedness.
Unless you specifically need the features of the Pocket Wizard MultiMAX, I believe the CyberSync is a no-brainer for the money compared to the Pocket Wizard Plus II. For only $20 more than a single Pocket Wizard Plus II transceiver (which of course is useless by itself), I've got one CyberSync transmitter and two receivers.
I think these are the best kept secret in wireless flash triggers right now. I can't wait until the next generation units are a reality, but for now these will serve me well.
-Jim |
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Christopher Kays, Photographer
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Benton | IL | USA | Posted: 5:36 PM on 11.21.08 |
->> I'm glad there was already a thread about this.
I just ordered (2) Vivtar 285HVs for basketball and I have a set of those old, knock-off triggers that only want to fire when you are in it's range of about 16 inches.
I think I am going to order a set tonight.
Also, you can't go wrong if 2 receivers and a transmitter sell for the same price as ONE Pocket Wizard. |
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Brian Schneider, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Clemson | SC | | Posted: 6:52 PM on 11.21.08 |
->> I just got mine yesterday and used them outside at a shoot for work today. It was only close range, around 10 feet, but they worked really well.
I only picked up a transmitter and receiver, but after some more testing, I might pick another receiver.
For other users, how do you hook the receiver to the flash? For example, Pocket Wizards have a little strap you can put on and wrap around a stand, how are you guys holding up your CyberSync receiver? I'm using the PC cord right now but I'm looking for other options. |
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Neil Wade, Photographer
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Taipei | __ | Taiwan | Posted: 7:55 PM on 11.21.08 |
->> I've been using CyberSyncs for about a month and love them. They're reliable, and much much smaller than PWs, which frees up a lot of space in my bags.
Brian, I attach them with a bit of velcro and it works great. That brings up another advantage over PWs- They're lighter! |
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Curtis Clegg, Photographer
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Belvidere | IL | USA | Posted: 10:11 PM on 11.21.08 |
| ->> Damon how did you get a free trigger? I didn't see anything about it on the Alien Bees website. Did you order one, or did they just throw it in with your order? |
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