Cactus V2s Wireless Flash Triggers Review and antenna mod...

[motleypixel]

Hey gang,

I spent a little over 2 months determining what I wanted to wirelessly trigger my two flashes (580ex and 430ex) off my camera.  Some of my options were:  Pocket Wizards, Canon ST-E2, Radio Poppers, and Cactus V2s.

I've heard nothing but good things about the PWs but I just couldn't find myself spending that amount of money for my hobby.  The Canon ST-E2 would again, corner me into using only Canon gear, plus they are infrared and the signal can be blocked, Radio Poppers sound promising; however at the time of this writing the RP Jrs. are still in pre-production.

I decided to go with the Cactus V2s system which I ordered from http://www.gadgetinfinity.com  I ordered the TX/Rcvr pair and an additional Rcvr for $60 shipped to my door from Kowloon, China.

Here are 4 YouTube videos describing my initial thoughts and showing the weaknesses and how to overcome them.  I will immediately state that I DO NOT recommend the Cactus V2s Wirless Flash Trigger System for ANY paid/professional photographic session.

Video 1 of 4
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5hTyVLYNZg" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5hTyVLYNZg</a>

Video 2 of 4
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkLsoYy27aY" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkLsoYy27aY</a>

Video 3 of 4
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXyA8z-ddFI" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXyA8z-ddFI</a>

Video 4 of 4
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66rakiy2aWE" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66rakiy2aWE</a>

Original author for the antenna mod and his blog found here:  http://jeremykuster.blogspot.com/2007/10/gi-cactus-v2s-modification-tutorial.html

Digi-Key Part Numbers: Antenna: ANT-433-CW-RH Connector: CONREVSMA004  just do a search at http://www.digikey.com/

-Roy

[asianstutter]

First i want to say you have a great forum here and it has alot of potential 

i want to ask you where do you buy your soldering paste from?
this is my first time soldering anything and i want to do this right

[motleypixel]

Hi and welcome,

Well, this jar of flux was from Electronics Technicians Maintenance School, Ford Island, Hawaii when I was a nuclear electronics technician in the Naval Submarine Fleet 

But, you could order it readily over the internet or try Frys Electronics or Radio Shack.

Cheers,
Roy

[caseyjohnphotography]

Gday mate, just watched all ur videos

and wow what can i say, i love people that go out of their way to help others esp like you

Thankyou so much

Im 16 and living in AUSTRALIA, how can i purchase one of those antennas, looking to mod my ebay triggers when they arrive this week sometime

I was continuing with the checkout on the site where the antenna u bought them from there $6 US and $80 something dollars for shipping

Help me out please...

[motleypixel]

If you want, I could order one (very cheap for me...maybe $8 total) and then ship it to you?


-Roy

[caseyjohnphotography]

already ordred one on monday

30bucks shipping but if i need anything else from there ill let you know



how long do ebay triggers take...

ordered them last wed, its fri 10:06PM and still not here...

[motleypixel]

I ordered directly from GagetInfinitie's website (Hong Kong?) and it took about 7 business days.

Yea just shout...I don't mind helping out a fellow photographer, even if they are half-way around the world 

-Roy

[caseyjohnphotography]

hope mine comes soon 

got mine off ebay, china...

thanks mate!

check some of my work

www.caseyjohnphotography.com < need to update...

[motleypixel]

Casey John, nice site and photographs!  This is my favorite:  http://cjphotography08.carbonmade.com/projects/2101428#15

Good luck with those triggers!

-Roy

[caseyjohnphotography]

Hahaha, got plenty more then that

there not even good anyway !!!

yer man, really hope there here this week along with the antenna / bolts / washers, before i head off to the snow!

[caseyjohnphotography]

antenna + bolts came today

waiting on triggers + receivers....

[DekHog]

Hi to all...

I ended up here after watching the mod vids on YouTube - great stuff!!

Can anyone in the states help out with getting these parts for me? A couple of friends would like them also, so it would be three of each antenna & fastening studs. Payment up front including postage, of course...

Keep up the good work!!

[benvenisti]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260308806576&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123

Mod service on e-bay....

[DekHog]

Nice try, but I'm in the UK - don't you think $62 is a bit extortionate anyway?? I had to laugh at the "Free" postage... 

[DekHog]

... what's even funnier is that Digikey want $20 for 2 x antenna and $70 for shipping....