E**.
Works great with my Olympus E-M10
I use these for my Olympus E-M10 to trigger my Olympus FL-600R and Metz 52AF-1 flashes.These work by capturing the electrical impulses (not the light) of the on-camera pop-up flash, transmitting it from the TX unit to the RX unit. Then they create a light pulse through an optical emitter that you strap to your flashes optical pickup. So your flashes are being triggered optically, which is great since the built-in flash sends out all TTL and HSS info, and so the remote flashes get all the info. The transmission piece of this works great, but the pickup and emitter ends leave something to be desired.On the camera end, the TX comes with this plastic mount that fits in the flash mount and holds the TX close to the built-in flash to pick up the electrical energy from it. This would not work on my E-M10. The TX was just too far from the built-in flash to sense the signal. I ended up having to make a custom mount, which works great.On the flash end, the RX has an optical emitter that must be placed over the optical pickup of the flash; this is not always easy to do. Both of my flashes have the pickup on an uneven surface and it makes it tricky to get the emitter to stay in place with the included elastic band. The elastic band part of the equation sounds cheap and pretty lame, but it does help these triggers be truly universal.I've managed to get these working really well, but I'm a very handy guy. I went on a photo shoot a few days ago and these performed perfectly!Also, I think it's only a matter of time before the battery doors fail - be very careful!
J**Z
PERFECT for Pentax P-TTL off-camera flash
Aokatec AK-TTL radio wireless TTL flash triggerPERFECT for Pentax P-TTL off-camera flash. Very simple and VERY effective. I shoot skateboard photos at 1/2000 second with a master flash on the camera and two off-camera flash units, and I could not be happier with this piece of equipment. There is only one catch. You may want to spend a little time getting the whole rig set up to where it is quick and easy to put into use when you want it. It does not come with instructions in the box so you'll have to get them on line. There is a pdf download available.The Pentax wireless flash system works by the master flash that is connected to the camera communicating with the slave flash by way of an optical signal. This optical system has limitations such as sunlight shining into the sensor on the slave flash thus blinding the sensor to the optical signal, and a need for a direct line of sight between the master and the slave. The Aokatec system works by converting that optical signal to a radio signal. By using a radio signal rather than an optical signal you eliminate the limitations of the optical signal and increase the effective range of the whole off-camera system.The device itself works perfectly, however, the rubber band that is provided to attach the IR sender to the slave flash is cumbersome and ineffective.I'll start with the master flash. The TX transmitter mounts with the provided velcro right to the flash head itself. This is easy enough, although I mounted mine underneath the flash head rather than on top just to keep it more out of the way. This works perfectly for me and the transmitter is light enough that it stays put. Sometimes I'll also add a velcro strap around the whole transmitter and flash head to ensure that it stays in place.The transmitter on the master flash senses the electromagnetic burst from the control flash and sends a radio signal to a receiver on the slave flash which then converts the signal back into an optical signal and shoots that into the optical sensor on the slave flash through the IR sender. This is where you may want to spend some time making a better setup.The first thing I did was use a yellow paint marker to put a small dot on the flash right next to the optical sensor so it is easier to line up the IR sender with the sensor. I ditched the rubber band that is provided and made my own connection using a bicycle inner tube and some self-adhesive velcro. I cut a piece of the inner tube about 3/4" wide and about 4 or 5 inches long (it's basically just a rubber strap at this point) and use that to hold the IR sender in place over the optical sensor on the flash. I stuck a piece of self-adhesive velcro to the back of the IR sender and one on the rubber strap to attach the IR sender to the strap.This way the IR sender is always in place on the strap and ready to go with minimal fumbling around. Next I stuck a piece of velcro to each end of the rubber strap and a corresponding piece to the sides of the flash unit itself (I put the fuzzy part on the band and the other part on the flash so it is less noticeable on the flash when I'm using it without the Aokatec system).Now I can simply put the IR sender in place over the optical sensor using the small yellow dot as a guide, and pull the rubber strap over to each side of the flash unit and stick it in place with the velcro tabs. I don't stretch the strap much at all, just enough to take out any slack and hold everything firmly in place. The flash units fire every time and the whole thing works like a charm. All of the high-speed sync and P-TTL functions of the Pentax system work perfectly, and the world is now a better place.
R**B
Best kept secret for cheap TTL radio trigger!
I've researched Odins, YN-622n, and could not wait anymore for Pixel King Pro, I have decided to try Aokatec AK-TTL triggers.PROs:- I think works like the Radio Poppers but a lot lot cheaper- CLS in Radio Frequency format!! I can use either the on-board pop up flash or a master flash (Ie. SB-900 or SB-700)- TTL works which means FP (HSS) works too, I can fire flash up to 1/8000 without any surprises- In-camera or on-camera (set as Master ie SB-900/SB-700) flash power adjustment settings either Manual or TTL. No need to walk to the flash to adjust power. Imagine your flash in soft box and high up over head you.- I can use on-camera flash and still fire it in TTL mode and still fire off camera flashes. Main limitation of Odins and PW/AC3 combo. For example, in an event i can have my SB-900 on camera set it to TTL to shoot on-going event or table to table shots and then quickly switch to Master mode now so i can fire my 2 other flashes off -camera that are set-up and pointing to the dance floor and still fire my on cam flash as on axis fill light!- No weak point connection between camera and on-cam flash, since my SB-900 is already on the hot shoe, the transmitter just sits on top of the SB-900. Unlike the 622n, now you have another thing in between the cam and the flash unit.- With a splitter cable, you can fire multiple flashes even on different groups with just one receiver! I can set each of my flashes at different groups (A,B,C) and still fire, it only cares if it gets the CLS signal so it thinks it's still on its own. I have to still try this but i've seen a youtube video doing this. Ofcourse I would need to get that splitter cable as well. This will be useful if i want my flashes ganged up to overpower the sun! sunny 16th rule :)- This can be used cross system, Canon, Olympus (also helps when i eventually go mirrorless system), Sony as long as it has optical flash capability.- Reliability is like using CLS but now turbocharged since you can now fire without line of sight limitation and longer range (100m). I still have to test the range outdoors but so far reviews are pretty good.- I heard it also works with third party flashes. I only have Nikon speedlights (SB-900, SB-700 and SB-600) so I could not comment on it.- You can still fire in Manual mode if you still need to. Also has a sync port so you can fire strobes as well.- eBay has it only for $150 for 1 transmitter and 3 receiver, about the same price of YN-622n i believe which is to me really cheap considering I almost bought the PWs and AC3, miniTT and Flex 5 for almost $800ish or the Odins for $400 for a 3 receiver set-up.- If I use my master flash (SB-900) the transmiter just sits on top of the flash head, without any cable or connection!! So I'm guessing it just senses the CLS signal via magnetic pulse? and then converts it to radio and sends it to the receivers. I'm still amazed by this but who cares since it works!!Cons:- It's not sleek looking compared to Odin or other radio triggers, you would have a wire cable hanging on your receiver to the off-camera flash. So it's another piece to carry with you. This is the cable that sends the radio signal to the IR port. But to me it's a minor inconvenience as it makes it up for remote in-camera flash power adjustment.- The yellow rubber band that holds the sensor on the IR port does not look elegant. Easy fix, by just getting a black velcro ties so it stays with the cable.- If the IR port is not covered or was nudge it wont fire since if it sees 2 signals coming from the on board CLS and transmitter it gets confused. For Nikon speedlights I don't think this is an issue since it's easy to cover the small circular IR port on the side of the flash. Other flashes you have to locate and cover that sensor entirely.- If your camera does not have CLS capability (D5200 and below) you would need a master flash to really enjoy this radio trigger. You still can but use the manual option. I have D7000 so no issues here.- Battery compartment knob looks it might break, so i just take extra precaution taking in and out the batteries.- Reliability. It's a question mark as I have not seen a lot of people using it. But I've seen the Cactus V5 and to me they have the same quality and build. So if the Cactus and even Yongnuo are the basis, i think the Aokatecs would be fine.- Other brand like Pixel King 2 or any other radio triggers may come out with sleeker and simpler design. But then I would assume a little bit pricier than the Aokatec and Nikon versions takes awhile when after the Canon versions come out.To me the feature I've been looking for in a nutshell is CLS capability but in radio format! I want better range, no light of sight limitation and adjust settings in-camera or on the master flash. And I think Aokatec has done it. I heard Radio poppers are the same but the reviews are a mixed bag and you have to get the proper adapters for specific brand and flash etc. but the Aokatec just works. I can't believe this has been out for at least a year now and have not heard of it. I think it's the best kept secret for cheap CLS/TTL for off camera triggers!
Trustpilot
2 days ago
1 week ago
