What Radio Trigger Should I Buy?

Updated - November 24, 2016

We have updated this article to include our new 2017 Strobepro Radio Triggers.  We now highly recommend our XT controller for Canon, Nikon and Sony.  They have amazing new features including TTL, HSS and multiple group control.  They also work with the built in receivers in Strobepro X Sereies Speedlites and Strobes.  This means one triggering system to fire and control everything.

How can I trigger my lights?

To understand what option is best for you we need to understand the different methods of flash triggering.  You’ve likely heard of Pocket Wizard but do you need to spend $300-$600 to get started? Keep in mind we’re trying to accomplish a task, which is to fire the strobes or speedlites when we push our shutter release. There’s lots of ways to do this so here we go.

PC Sync Cable Triggering

This method of triggering is half a decade old and frankly should die.  It works by plugging a 2.5mm, 3.5mm or 6.35mm cable into the strobe or flash and the other end into the camera.  This is the most frustrating of all the methods, and to be honest is an option I beg you not to use.  It sounds simple but actual use can be an exercise in patience.  Turn the wrong way and you’ll get misfires and you will at some point trip on the cable and damage your camera.

PROS

• Simple to use.
• Inexpensive

CONS

• Sensitive to movement.
• Different connection specs.
• Only higher end cameras even have a PC Sync port.
• Many Speedlites don’t have PC Sync ports.
• Major tripping hazard.

Optical Sensor Triggering

Most flashes and strobes include a built in optical infrared slave.  This simply means that when activated, that strobe or flash begins looking for the burst of another flash to trigger it.  This works okay in controlled environments like your basement or a smaller room.  The issues begin when you start working outside in sunlight or when a strobe gets too far away from the trigger source, like your pop up flash on camera.  The slave just can’t see that far.  Plus the flash you’re using to trigger the camera will often contribute light to the picture, which you don’t want.  Also keep in mind that if you’re setup at a wedding on optical slaves, Aunt Ruth’s pop up flash is going to trigger your lights as well.

PROS

• Inexpensive because slave sensors are built into most speedlites and strobes.
• No cables.

CONS

• Must maintain line of site from camera to the optical sensor on the flash.
• Limited range.
• Affected by direct sunlight.
• The triggering light can affect the shot.
• No channels, so anyone’s flash at an event will trigger your lights.

Radio Triggers

So now that we’ve established that pc cables and optical slave’s suck, we can talk about radio triggers.  Radio triggers are made up of two parts.  A transmitter (on camera) to send a signal and a receiver (on the strobe or speedlite) to receive the signal. Strobepro X Series Strobes and Speedlites now come with built in receivers.  The transmitter just slides into your camera hot shoe and sends a signal to the receiver plugged into the strobe or speedlite.  The beauty of a radio system is that you’re not limited by line of site or a cable.  It will fire through walls, windows, floors, many models up to 100 meters away.  This is a liberating feeling to any photographer who has been using optical or a PC sync cable. 

PROS

• Huge range that will fire through almost anything.
• No line of site restrictions.
• Easy to use.
• Very reliable.
• Some modes can be used on speedlites and strobes.
• No channel interference from other photographers.

CONS

• More expensive than other methods of triggering.

There are so many options. What do I buy?

Okay let’s break it down.  There’s a million choices today with a million opinions out there.  Let’s start at the most important question.  What are you triggering? Speedlites, strobes or both?

Triggering Speedlites

The most important decision to make is if you want to fire your speedlites (some strobes) in Manual or TTL (Automatic) mode.  This is the biggest cost factor.  A TTL radio trigger will always cost a little more than a manual option.  Manual will be less expensive but you’ll be setting everything yourself.  You can certainly use a manual trigger on your TTL flash like a Canon 580 EXII or a Nikon SB-910 but you lose your TTL ability.  Most photographers shooting portraits or studio shots prefer manual.  If you need quick fast setups and want everything set automatically then choose TTL.  See our previous blog artical on choosing Manual or TTL speedlites.

TTL PROS

• Works as if your speedlite was mounted on your camera.  The camera will set the flash power and zoom automatically.
• Ability to set groups.
• Many have added features like High Speed Sync and AF Assist Lamps
• Remote power control on some models.

TTL CONS

• More expensive.
• Brand specific.  Typically only Canon or Nikon models are available. (Strobepro has Sony as well)

MANUAL PROS

• Inexpensive.
• Easy to use.

MANUAL CONS

• No TTL.
• Limited features.
  

 I want to trigger my speedlites and studio strobes

You’re in luck. Most TTL and MANUAL triggers have an option to attach a short cable and plug into the PC Port.  If you use the Strobepro XR Receiver then this PC cable is included.  Remember you'll need one for each strobe. Even better all Strobepro X Series Strobes have the receiver built in, so only the XT Transmitter is needed. Now you can mix and match strobes and speedlites on the same triggers.

Triggering Strobes

As we just mentioned any TTL or Manual trigger should be able to plug into a strobe as well.

Strobepro X Series

If you purchase the X Series strobes or speedlites from Strobepro then all you need is the XT Transmitter.  It functions as a full featured remote control plus it works as a radio trigger for up to 100 strobes.  

Putting it all together

There are dozens of triggering brands out there and the bad news is that they are all brand specific.  This means that a Pocket Wizard won’t talk to a Yongnuo or Cactus or Strobepro.  Yes, this is stupid and hopefully it will begin to change over the next few years as the market gets more and more competitive.  The technology gap between a $620 set of Pocket Wizard Flex TT5’s and a $140 Strobepro XT Transmitter/Receiver set has disappeared.  Thee Strobepro XT is more reliable, great build quality, has more features but still has a $480 price gap.  When you've been the only name in the game for years and years like Pocket Wizard this is bound to happen and for good reason, but those days are gone.  I’d rather have $520 in my pocket, but that’s a choice you’ll have to make for yourself.  Some professional photographers will debate me on this forever but I don’t blame them.  If you spent $700 on your triggering system and I spent $89 to do the same thing and more, I’d debate you to the end too.

My Biased Recommendations

We sell Strobepro Radio Triggers for a reason.  They’re inexpensive, awesome quality and they work. Plus we warranty them right here in our Calgary Alberta store.

Here are my opinions for what they’re worth.

Speedlite Triggering

Canon or Nikon Speedlites

1 x Strobepro XT Transmitter
1 x Strobepro XR Receiver for each speedlite

Strobepro X Series Speedlites & Strobes (X60M, X60C, X60N, X60S, X360C, X360N,   XPRO Strobes, X600ii Strobes)

1 x Strobepro XT Transmitter  (Canon, Nikon, Sony)

Strobe Triggering Other Brands

1 x Strobepro XT Transmitter
1 x Strobepro XR Receiver for each strobe