PocketWizzard: PLUS vs MultiMax

OK, Ready to order from B&H today. Still trying to decide if I should get the max's (ouch), or if I will be happy with on transmitter and two receivers using the Plus.

The PocketWizzard site is VERY ambiguous about the details on the now lowed end Plus model and only give the kind of detail I'd like to see ont eh Multimax.

Anyone using the PLUS and feeling a need to convert to the MultiMAx?

--
Strive for perfection, the least you will get is excellence

John Tibbitts

I have the Plus ... it works. Your words and moto tell me that you are an optimizer ... not a satisficer ... buy the Max and wonder not.

--
Jason

John Tibbitts said:

OK, Ready to order from B&H today. Still trying to decide if I
should get the max's (ouch), or if I will be happy with on
transmitter and two receivers using the Plus.

The PocketWizzard site is VERY ambiguous about the details on the
now lowed end Plus model and only give the kind of detail I'd like
to see ont eh Multimax.

Anyone using the PLUS and feeling a need to convert to the MultiMAx?

Click to expand...

The feature list for the MultiMax is very long, but most of the features are things most photographers won't need. Multi-pop countdown? Slave delays? Syncing of multiple cameras and flashes? Confirmation of flash via sensors? Intervalometer?

Will you be using more than one remote trigger? If you've got, say, a light setup to cover a wedding reception, you can turn on/off individual lights' triggering from the transmitter, which is useful, but you'd end up needing one transceiver for each flash--and most folks don't do that.

The Plus is much easier to use; an on-off switch and a 4-way channel switch. Much reduced chance of glitches if you accidentally change something on the multi-button Max.

I have 2 Maxes and one Plus receiver. I'm considering adding a Plus Transmitter to reduce that risk.

If you want the flexibility, a single MultiMax in a mostly Plus system will offer most of the functions--the majority are done in the transmitting module, and only one is needed for that.

The PocketWizard site does have the manuals for both their Plus units (51K, 6 pages--it's very easy to use) and their MultiMax (1.6 meg, over 50 pages, and I recommend keeping a copy nearby to help you UNset things you didn't intend to change).

If, like me, you are looking for inexpensive units that will work as transmitters or receivers, try Calumet's new LiteLink Units. I just shot an architectural interior using three of them, worked flawlessly. Lower profile on camera than PocketWizards, too...

You can search for "LiteLink" on Calumet's website. They are buried under Lighting> Lighting Accesseries> Slaves. Here's a screenshot of their webpage...



I found them at PhotoPlus in NYC in October, and ordered a pair. Since then, I ordered another one, for 3 in all -- one for the camera and 2 for the lights.
--
Bill Wantz
Hagerstown, MD

One advantage of the Pocketwizards is the support in other Mamiya related products. We have a Sekonic light meter, and it is really nice to have the lights trigger from it. Similarly, the Profoto studio lights now have PW receivers built into them -- nice to not have to plug anything in. Dyna-lite and Balcar have similar setups. It would be nice if there was a built-in kit for the Canon professional cameras like they have for the Nikon D1 series.

Something to consider for the price difference (about $350 for a PW Plus kit vs. $270 for the Calumet, thought the Calumet is a transceiver kit). Still, nice to hear about other options, and the Calumet kit does seem like the least expensive setup.

I have two pairs of the Plus set and one Max. The Pluses are used all the time. The Max periodically when I need to remotely trigger the camera and have it then trigger the lights.

Start with the Plus, then add a max when the need dictates.

-Loren

Bill:

Can a Litelink tranceiver trigger or be triggered by a Pocket Wizard? Or are they incompatible? I like the price and versatility of the LiteLink system, but would like to remote trigger from a Sekonic 358 with embedded Pocket Wizard module.

Brian C.

Bill Wantz said:

If, like me, you are looking for inexpensive units that will work
as transmitters or receivers, try Calumet's new LiteLink Units. I
just shot an architectural interior using three of them, worked
flawlessly. Lower profile on camera than PocketWizards, too...
You can search for "LiteLink" on Calumet's website. They are
buried under Lighting> Lighting Accesseries> Slaves. Here's a
screenshot of their webpage...



I found them at PhotoPlus in NYC in October, and ordered a pair.
Since then, I ordered another one, for 3 in all -- one for the
camera and 2 for the lights.
--
Bill Wantz
Hagerstown, MD

Click to expand...

I use the PLUS with no problems. If you are going to be in a situation where others could trip your lights, then you might want to consider the MultiMax instead. I don't have any problems with anyone tripping my lights with the PLUS though ... all depends on your needs/applications.

John Tibbitts said:

OK, Ready to order from B&H today. Still trying to decide if I
should get the max's (ouch), or if I will be happy with on
transmitter and two receivers using the Plus.

The PocketWizzard site is VERY ambiguous about the details on the
now lowed end Plus model and only give the kind of detail I'd like
to see ont eh Multimax.

Anyone using the PLUS and feeling a need to convert to the MultiMAx?

--
Strive for perfection, the least you will get is excellence

Click to expand...