see also:

• flash technology

• can use on either Canon or Nikon flashes in TTL flash as communicates via infrared transceiver on flash unit
• compatible with focal plane flash modes
• can control Alien Bees studio flashes
• Radio wireless TTL flash – RadioPopper announces 2nd generation X system (2008)

• can be used on other brand cameras (eg. Olympus, Panasonic, Sony, Fuji, Samsung) in non-TTL mode with some loss of functions (no SuperFP/HSS mode, no Hypersync mode) if the transmitter is set to the correct mode beforehand using a computer and USB interface (each transmitter has 2 programmable modes so it is handy to have one of these programmed to a non-dedicated mode, or have 2 differently programmed transmitters)
• PocketWizard adapters are available to allow some later model Sekonic light meters to remotely trigger the PocketWizard-enabled flash system for metering purposes when not using TTL mode.

• http://www.pocketwizard.com/products/transmitter_receiver/flextt5%20canon/ 
• Pocket wizard FlexTT5′s – will they suit your needs?
• allows interesting hypersync flash mode (extra 1-2 stops to 1/500th sec may be possible on some cameras such as Canon 1D Mark III digital SLR) without loss of light as occurs in focal plane flash modes
• compatible with focal plane / high speed flash modes to 1/8000th sec
• tracks your changes in ISO, shutter speed and aperture and reacts accordingly to make sure exposures stay right on target. 
• optional module can control new Bowens Gemini R studio flashes
• 20 controlTL TTL channels or 32 manual channels
• 3 zone selector (A-B-C) for compatibility with Canon e-TTL zones
• USB software utility allows you to configure your channel settings, dial in your HyperSync timing, adjust your sleep-mode timers as well as update your product to the latest firmware.
• With Auto Relay Mode you can easily trigger a remote camera in sync with remote flash. 
• 6.9cm antenna, said to cover 240m in TTL and 365 in manual mode
• camera port: 1/8” (3.5 mm) stereo miniphone for 2-stage remote camera triggering.
• flash port: 1/8” (3.5 mm) mono miniphone. 
• compatible with MiniTT1 (incl. TTL), Multimax (hypersync but no TTL)
• Canon Speedlite models 580EX and 580EX II, and especially the 430EX (not the 430EX II), emit RF interference that can substantially reduce the effective operating range of many radio slaves, including the FlexTT5. For these model flashes, utilize the mounting  suggestions in the manual.
• Working with a Canon 580EXII in the shoe of the MiniTT1 or FlexTT5, you can independently control the power output of up to three groups of lights (you can have as many lights in each group as you want) from full power down to the lowest setting simply through the user interface on the back of the 580EXII
• Basic Trigger Mode.  When enabled, it allows the MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 to work as a transmitter on ANY camera it will fit.
• initial version had teething issues - hopefully resolved with new firmware

• http://www.pocketwizard.com/products/transmitter_receiver/minitt1%20canon/ 
• smaller version of FlexTT5 but:
  • transmitter only - no receiver
  • internal antenna
  • no camera trigger capability?
  • has a pass-through hot-shoe on the top to allow a directly mounted on-camera flash as well
  • annoyingly, uses a button battery instead of AA batteries
  • almost same price

• slides into hotshoe of the MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 to provide very easy control of each of the 3 groups of flashes (zones)

• allows a Flex-TT5 to attach to an Alien Bees or White Lightning studio flash which allows you to remotely control its flash output (eg. via an AC-3 zone controller) from another Flex-TT5 or MiniTT1 unit

• plugs into a Einstein studio flash to allow your FlexTT5 or MiniTT1 remotely control its output and trigger it

• plugs into a Elinchrom RX studio flash to allow your FlexTT5 or MiniTT1 remotely control its output and trigger it

• announced March 2012 making it the 1st camera manufacturer to add remote radio wireless TTL flash to their system
• but unlike the PocketWizard solution, it ONLY works with RT specified speedlights and there is no hypersync functionality, so with the Canon 5D Mark III dSLR and CanoniDIII]] you are confined to fastest flash sync of only 1/200th sec without resorting to HSS mode which reduces flash GN substantially.

• can trigger up to 15 Speedlites at up to 30 meters
• can be used to remotely trigger the camera shutter as well
• weathersealed

• GN 60m at ISO 100 at 200mm focal length zoom
• radio triggering at up to 30m range
• can use up to 15 speedlights
• also has traditional infrared wireless TTL remote capability
• remote camera triggering capability
• bounce and swivel head with zoom control
• white balance correction filters

• introduced in Sept 2012
• 2.4GHz radio frequency with range to 100m in 3 groups of flashes in 4 channels
• separate Canon or Nikon versions but no Olympus version … yet..although perhaps a Sony version will be first
• USB port for firmware upgrades
• AA batteries in each unit
• no shutter trigger
• no hypersync as with PocketWizards but does support HSS/FP mode to 1/8000th sec
• $329 for transmitter unit and $129 for receiver unit
• transmitter unit (TCU):
  • large LCD screen displays TTL exposure compensation or manual flash output for each flash group and whether TTL or Manual
  • backlit for night use
  • user friendly menu to ontrol flash head zoom, test light, modelling light, 2nd curtain sync, A:B ratio
• Phottix website

• most camera manufacturers have their own proprietary infrared wirless TTL remote flash capability including Canon, Nikon, Olympus but significantly, Panasonic does NOT support remote TTL flash.
• infrared TTL flash is restricted to line of sight use over relatively short distances (up to 10m indoors although bounce off walls can assist) and can be unreliable in bright sunlight situations.
• the old Metz Remote Cordless TTL mode is unfortunately incompatible with dSLRs, but was an option for some earlier model cameras, most current Metz flash units now support the camera manufacturer's proprietary infrared system.

• Radio triggers without the hastles and expense of TTL flash (2009)

• professional reliability but expensive
• long range
• make sure all components are same frequency (eg. 433MHz for Australia and Europe)
• compatible with PocketWizard TTL models but obviously no TTL metering support available

• announced Feb 2012
• Pocket Wizard Plus III
• totally redesigned evolution of the highly successful Plus II model, adding:
  • ability to trigger four groups of cameras and flashes over 32 radio channels
  • faster continuous shooting, triggering at up to 14.5 fps
  • ability to communicate via a repeater radio transmitter to extend the system's range
  • ability to half-press, rather than just firing the shutter on remote cameras
  • back-lit LCD panel, making it easier to use
  • RRP $139

• http://www.pocketwizard.com/products/transmitter_receiver/multimax/
• 32 x 16-bit channels
• selective quad-zone triggering
• time lapse imaging
• multi-pop flash
• rear-curtain sync
• speedcycler
• sync to 1/250th 
• 2x AA batteries
• hotshoe mounted
• 3.5mm (1/8”) mono miniphone jack
• USB Port; 6-pin Accessory Port

• http://www.pocketwizard.com/products/transmitter_receiver/plus%20ii/
• range 500m
• 4 channels
• sync to 1/250th, up to 12fps
• 2x AA batteries
• hot shoe mount
• 3.5mm (1/8”) mono miniphone jack

• a fully integrated 2.4 GHz radio remote system with multiple capabilities from simple remote firing of flash units to complete control, metering and display of complex 16-light studio systems
• whilst it does not have TTL metering, and does not support hand held camera flash units it does have a built-in flash meter and remotely controls certain studio flashes.
• CyberSync website

• master transmitter unit mounts on hotshoe of camera
• complete control of up to 16 lights on 16 frequencies
• designed to control Paul C. Buff™ studio flash units with CSR+ or CSRB+ receivers or Einstein™ studio flash units with CSXCV transceivers
• adjusts flashpower and modeling in 1/10 f-stop increments
• stores and retrieves complex lighting setups
• built-in flashmeter measures single lights, groups or setup

• whilst the older models were plagued with inconsistent firing and poor distance coverage (often < 10m) which made them only suitable for hobbyists who do not need 100% reliability, the newer versions are reported to be much more reliable with better distance coverage, as long as you do not use rechargeable batteries (full strength 1.5V AAA batteries recommended) and do not use with older flashes with high trigger voltage.
• each version appears not to be compatible with other versions, although using same radio wavelength (433MHz for Europe and Australia).
• PT-04 series are marketed by YongNuo (YN), Phottix
• newer circuits (2008-2009):
  • max. working distance outdoors said to be 30m
  • PT-04 CN:
    • new lower profile design which allows either:
      • mounting hotshoe of flash onto receiver and then receiver onto a 1/4” tripod screw thread 
      • PC sync connection connection between flash and receiver
    • use 2x alkaline AAA batteries in each receiver and 1x 23A 12V battery in transmitter
    • said to sync to 1/320th sec
    • 4 channel
    • optional PL-04C receiver for studio flash with 6.5mm sync plug (can be plugged into the 6.35mm or 3.5mm (via adapter) studio sync jack without cables)
      • 
  • PT-04 TM CTR-301:
    • low profile version of the PT-04 TM
    • 1/4” tripod screw thread on receiver
    • new function - receiver by itself can control trigger of the flash (via optical slave - “L” mode)
    • not compatible with PT-04 TM
    • receiver has 3V CR2 battery instead of AAA
    • said to tigger to 1/250th sec
    • 4 channel
    • Locking pinhole on receiver shoe for SB flashes
    • Sync speed up to around 1/500 sec
    • YongNuo
  • PT-04 TM:
    • similar profile and design as older model but new circuit and now has channel selector on outside of receiver.
    • use 2x alkaline AAA batteries in each receiver and 1x 23A 12V battery in transmitter
    • 4 channel
    • range up to 50m (?30m)
    • with modification by adding an external antenna to the transmitter:
      • with a 115mm Vertical ant it will trigger at 406 feet, 456 feet with the ant Horizontal (polarisation coming into play here) with a 170mm ant Horizontal out to 516 feet, extending the antenna further had no effect.
      • in the horizontal position the antenna was broadside to the receiver.
  • Cactus V4:
    • 16 channel
    • sync up to 1/500th sec
    • up to 30m
    • low profile - similar to PT-04 CN profile
    • transmitter has external antenna
    • use 2x alkaline AAA batteries in each receiver and 1x 23A 12V battery in transmitter
    • transmitter has a connection port: 3.5 mm (1/8”) mono mini-phone
    • receiver sync connector is changed (from V2) to a 3.5 mm mono jack 
    • receiver can handle up to 300V flashes
    • see http://akikorhonen.org/articles.php?action=view&id=667
    • some issues connecting certain flashes onto the receiver due to pins on bottom of flash (eg. Nikon SB-600)
    • may cope with 7fps, and seems to be able to do 5fps at 40m outdoors
    • not compatible with V2
• older less reliable circuits (2007 and earlier):
  • PT-04:
    •  
  • Cactus V2:
    • sync to 1/250th sec
    • no external antenna
    • 3V CR2 battery in receiver