Digital SLR Reviews Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Hot Shoe’

Seagull SC 5 Hot Shoe Flash Adapter to PC and Standard Hot Shoes for Sony Alpha Minolta Maxxum Cameras

Seagull SC-5 hot shoe adapter is designed to connect all standard shoe flashes to the proprietary Sony Alpha / Minolta Maxxum hot shoes. This adapter will allow you to use any flash or accessory having a standard flash shoe with Sony Alpha / Minolta Maxxum cameras, including digital & film series. This adapter is fully compatible to work with all Sony Alpha & Konica Minolta Maxxum SLR Cameras.

It also allow to trigger external flash with PC sync cord similar to the more expensive Sony FAST1AM Sony Sync Terminal Adapter and Konica Minolta Maxxum FS-1100 PLUS. Provides PC sync socket for cameras that doesn’t have it.

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star Doesn’t work
I bought one to use on my Minolta Dimage Z1 and have yet to get it to work. The problem I suspect is with the camera as the flash will fire when I touch the correct copntacts on the adaptor. I wanted to use an external flash that I already have rather than buy a new one. May just buy another camera of another brand.

4 Stars Small, cheap, effective
Sony do a lot of things write when it comes to DSLR, but that Minolta hot-shoe attachment can be a real pain when you’re working in a studio and trying to fire off a bunch of studio flashes.

The Sony answer comes at a hefty price… this version is simpler, smaller, cheaper and just as effective. Simple to use, universally accepted (so far) and small (a previous, borrowed version had cut into my cheek) this was as good a buy as I’ve made this year

3 Stars didn’t work with my flash
I was trying to use an older flash and it wouldn’t work with it. I returned it because since I had to buy a flash, I will get a minolta compatible one.

Cost me a total of $13.00 shipping because I had to pay both ways.

1 Star Doesn’t work with A100
The hot shoe appears to fit, but neither the PC terminal nor hot shoe will fire two different standard flashes. Might be OK with automated flashes, but my old Vivitar’s don’t fire.

4 Stars Works Great
The Seagull SC-5 Hotshoe adapter works just as well as the Sony/Minolta adapter. For a whole lot less money.

Processing and shipping of the item could have been a little quicker

Buy/More Info

Pocket Wizard FlexTT5 Transceiver For Canon TTL Flashes and Digital SLR Cameras

The dedicated FlexTT5TM Transceiver, with its built in hot-shoe and ControlTLTM firmware, is the perfect addition to Canon E-TTL II flash systems. The FlexTT5 takes the existing benefits of Canon wireless systems beyond the boundaries of infrared technology. When paired with the Mini TT1TM Transmitter or another FlexTT5 Transceiver, a whole new world of wireless flash freedom opens up. The FlexTT5 is also the perfect Transceiver for your manual triggering needs and works with all MultiMAX channels and many of the MultiMAX advanced functions.

The FlexTT5s simple design comes to life through its hot-shoe connection with a camera or flash. Mount a flash or command unit on the FlexTT5 to use the same zone controls and ratio commands as you would normally. The system tracks your changes in ISO, shutter speed and aperture and reacts accordingly to make sure exposures stay right on target. Use the flash compensation dial on your camera or flash just as you would normally and the changes pass seamlessly through the system.

The FlexTT5 has two channel configuration settings; C1 and C2. Each can be programmed as needed with up to 20 ControlTL channels for TTL photography, or 32 standard channels for manual flash photography. The FlexTT5 Transceiver also has a three-zone selector switch for ease of use with Canon zones and ratios.

With PocketWizard HyperSyncTM Technology, the FlexTT5 can precisely advance the timing of your flash trigger so that increased flash sync speeds, up to 1/500th of a second is achievable with many strobes.

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star I was going to buy this… but
I haven’t purchased this product, but was about too. The reviews on this are frightening to say the least. I own the 5D MkII and 2-580EXII speedlites, I’m a part-time photographer and full-time graphic designer. I’ve been photographing weddings, portraits, and families for about 5 years now, and I’m starting to jump into working with models. I’ve been at a number of photoshoots with Pro’s and have never heard so many horrible reviews about one product as these. I’ve always heard of the pocket wizard, and seen them at different shoots, but never owned one.

They are very pricey items, but after reading the reviews about this particular item, I’m not sure that I would buy this or any of there products in the future. Is there any transmitting and receiving units out there that someone would recommended?

5 Stars Works as advertised!
I don’t shoot everyday but this product does exactly what is says it does. Works seamlessly with your Canon camera and speedlites.

1 Star Don’t waste your time.
This is not ready for the 5DII and 580exII yet. 8 out of 10 times they cannot work(even within 20 feet). I did an upgrade to the latest firmwares for both FlexTT5 and MiniTT1, no help at all. As a wedding photographer, I just can’t rely on them.

2 Stars needs work
The Pros , ETTL works ,flash compensation works from the camera(1DIII & 1DsIII)I am assuming the 5D II as well. There is no need to have a 580exII on top of the flexTT5 for this funtion to work.This is great for those of us who have not yet mastered full manual yet !

The Cons , I could only get my units to fire at 30 feet , seems that infrared output from 580exII prevent radio signals from reaching unit. Pocket Wizard shows you (website) how to overcome (somwhat)this with the use of unit seperating ideas . They explain how to use a longer arm to seperate the 580exII and the flexTT5 and how to connect the two with a cable and the use of a shield over the cable(Speedlite side). I don’t know about you but I don’t want to carry and put together anymore “stuff” than I have to.The flexTT5 looks and feels like a toy (cheap) , be VERY carefull with it ! On my first shoot , I placed the unit on a Manfrotto 5001b stand , the placed the 580exII on top of it (where its supposed to go). The flexTT5 became “unglued” at the shoe between Speedlite and flexTT5. Pocket wizard said they had heard of this happening and would replace it at no cost to me . I actually spoke with a real person when I called the company , and that alone makes for good customer service !

Conclusion , I know that when you have an idea , you test it first before you have it manufactured . Pocket Wizard plans to market a “shield” that keeps I.R. signals from affecting the TT5 , we will just have to see about this one . I purchased four units before any of this info was available and now wish maybe I should have waited for the reviews !

2 Stars Beta Equipment Sucks!!!
WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First-time owner of this company’s product–2 of the Canon FlexTT5(tm). I am using it with a 580EX II and there isn’t a dull moment!!! Problems, glitches, and now on one of my units the TEST/LEARN button went bad!!! I missed a photo shoot due to this not ready for prime time pay for beta equipment!!! Just when I figured out how to have my Sekonic

Nikon GP 1 GPS Unit for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

Correlation between pictures and maps is supported by GPS function in conjunction with ViewNX version 1.2 software (no-charge download available Autumn 2008) and my Picturetown. Manual advance and rewind Double exposure capability Center-weight metering helps you select the proper aperture and shutter speed Integrated Hot-Shoe for adding any manual electronic flash Manual ISO selection from ISO 25 to 3200 Uses All Nikkor or compatible lenses Manual exposure and manual focus Includes Battery, Case and Strap Uses 2 SR44 or LR44 batteries

User Ratings and Reviews

2 Stars Functional Geotagging – at a Price!
I bought my Nikon D-90 camera 8 months ago as my first digital SLR purchase. I was thrilled when the GP-1 attachment was released, and soon purchased it for geotagging fun. On the very first trip we took it on, we ended up spending 45 minutes sitting outside a cafe waiting for it to pick up a satellite signal. Keep in mind that this was an open plaza on a sunny day. Finally we gave up and started walking around taking pictures. About three blocks away it finally picked up a signal, so we walked back along our route taking duplicate pictures with the GPS data.

Annoying, but not insurmountable. Fast forward to our most recent trip, when we took the D-90 and GP-1 out of our carry-on bag only to find that the D-90 would no longer recognize or power the GP-1. A diagnosis revealed that the GP-1 cable which stuck out at a 90 degree angle had gotten jostled and damaged the GPS port on my camera. Many phone calls to Nikon later, I was told that any repairs to the GPS port on our camera would not be covered under warranty. My local camera repair shop is now charging $285 (more than the original purchase price of the GP-1) to repair the GPS port in my D-90 that was damaged by the GP-1 cable. This is extremely poor design on Nikon’s part, and needs to be recalled or included in the warranty coverage.

I do enjoy geotagging the pictures from my D-90, but will try to find a brace to prevent tugs on the GP-1 cable from damaging the D-90’s port. Failing that, I can expect to pay further installments of $285 as the price of using the GP-1.

1 Star Major Disappointment
This product simply did not function. I used the GPS-1 on a 15 day motorcycle trip around the NW United States and the unit found the location only once. The unit was used in extremely open areas and was given 30 minutes to register the location with no success. I would not recommend the product. Matter of fact, I have return my unit for a refund.

5 Stars Nikon GPS
Like most Nikon gear this unit is built well and works great. I have had two other cheaper off brand GPSs fail on my D300. With the Nikon name this GPS is a bit overpriced, but will last forever.

4 Stars Rugged GPS for Nikon cameras
I’ve owned two other GPS units for my D300, and although it has a few issues, the Nikon GP1 is far and away the best.

First and foremost, it’s rugged and high quality. I don’t think I’m rough on my equipment, but I went through two other (non-Nikon) units in under a year. So far the Nikon is holding up well.

The GP-1 does take a while to acquire satellites…I’d say for me it’s typically around 15 seconds. Sometimes it works indoors, sometimes it doesn’t. I don’t notice a big difference in this regard between the Nikon and other brands I’ve tried. But unlike one of my other (non-Nikon) GPS units, I never get false signals – if the coordinates are recorded, they are correct.

I tend to keep the GP-1 mounted to my camera strap (I like the Crumpler – the GPS fits on it well) and I tend to leave it connected all the time. I tend not to turn the camera on and off between shots, and as others have pointed out, it does drain the battery at a good clip. I use the MB-D10 battery grip with my D300…it has a larger battery and this helps a lot. I tend to get about 1200 pictures per charge with the GPS on (but the flash typically off).

Only other complaint is that the GP-1 creates a little contention for the 10-pin port on the camera. Sometimes I use a Nikon MC-36 (remote control) whilch also requires the 10-pin connector, and it would be nice if there were a built-in way to chain the devices together. Yes, I’ve seen various “Y” adapters, but I haven’t had luck with them – they tend to create an unwieldy tangle of wires that I’m always catching things on. I guess I’m also wondering why Nikon doesn’t just build GPS into the camera itself, as they do with one of their point-and-shoots. Hopefully the next design.

Recommended.

4 Stars Typical of previous ratings
As most reviews have previously stated, slow sync at start-up, doesn’t work well in covered areas – including trees. But once connected to satellites, works like a charm.

Buy/More Info