Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I've been using the CTR-301P radio triggers for about a year now and absolutely love them. If you're trying to take your Speedlight flash off the camera, it's one of the most convenient methods (ETTL cables are limited in length and quite pricey, PC Sync cables are also limited in length and a bit of a hassle to manage), the CTR-301P allows you to trigger your speedlights remotely without any cables. An important thing to note, for anyone unaware, is that when using the wireless sync on these you will not have ETTL ("Automatic") flash control - you'll need to manually set the power levels on all of your flashes. Newer (and much more expensive) radio triggers such as the PocketWizard MiniTT1 Radio Transmitter for Canon TTL Flashes and Digital SLR Cameras will carry the ETTL signal to your remote (ettl compatible) flashes, but those cost about 10x the price per receiver.
The CTR-301Ps have 2 modes: Wireless and Light. Wireless lets you put the receiver on your cameras hotshoe and trigger the flash wirelessly as the shutter is pressed. Light allows you to use another light source (on camera flash, for instance) to trigger the remote flash. An important note about the "Light" mode is that ETTL signals can prematurely set off the remote flash (ETTL uses a series of flash pulses really quickly which can throw it off). If using light mode, make sure the on-camera-flash is set to manual to prevent the ETTL flashes.
If using a speedlight, slide the hotshoe connector into the top of the receiver. If using studio-strobes, the package comes with a PC-Sync cable that connects from the receiver to your strobe.
Underneath the receiver and transmitter are 2 switches - these allow you to change the "channel" that the wireless signal uses. This is mainly useful if 2 people are using the same triggers, to prevent one person from setting yours off (or vice versa). Different combinations of these switches allow for 4 possible channels.
Range from the 301Ps is nice - I've never gone more than 20 feet, but they've always triggered for me. They're supposed to go 30 Meters (about 90 feet), but I haven't tried this -- obstacles in the way (such as walls) will also shorten the reach.
The bottom of the Receiver has a female tripod-threading. This allows you to easily attach it to a lightstand or tripod and mount it almost anywhere.
Unfortunately, the CTR-301P uses odd batteries. No AA or AAA here, you'll need to find CR2 batteries. I found some cheap at a "going out of business sale", but otherwise they can be a bit costly and you'll probably want spaces so you're never out shooting and the batteries die on you. I can say that the battery life is very good on these - just make sure to turn the receiver from Light or Wireless to "Off" when done.
On top of the transmitter is a test button - press this and it will send a signal out to all receivers on that channel and set the flashes off.
That's about it for these receivers - they're simple, to the point, and do a great job. There are higher-end ones out there - if you need more reliability/reach (and as a bonus, the ability to wirelessly release your cameras shutter), take a look at the Yongnuo RF-602 system. It costs a bit more, but is a newer/more advanced technology. If you want to go the next step, that would be the Pocket Wizards, but at close to 200 dollars a piece (per transmitter/receiver) its a VERY expensive system.
The CTR-301Ps do a great job if you just need a quick and easy way to get your flash off the camera and to a remote location. I highly recommend these!
Click Here to see more reviews about:
YN CTR-301 Hot Shoe Flash Light control Remote Trigger w/ PC Cable-Canon SpeedLite 580EX II, 580EX, 540EZ, 520EZ, 430EZ, 430EX, 420EX, 420EZ, 380EX -Nikon SpeedLite SB-900,SB-800, SB-600, SB-80, SB-28, SB-27, SB-26, SB-25, SB-24, SB-23, -Vivitar 283, 285HV-Sunpak 30DX, 422D, 433D, PZ5000AF-National PE-387S-Panasonic PE-28S
Get 3% OFF
Click here for more information about YN CTR-301 Hot Shoe Flash Light control Remote Trigger w/ PC Cable
