Radio Popper 'X' Units...

[ChristopherCoy]

Sooo...

If we have two AB lights, and two SB800 speedlights, what kind of Radio Popper system should I be looking at?

I was under the impression that I would need a JrX system to control the AB lights; and then I'd need a PX system to control the SB800's.

However I was just reading the Radio Popper website and it said:
"For those looking to really unleash their lighting, try using the PX and JrX systems together. Since all RadioPopper X products are fully compatible, a single PX transmitter unit can control all of your ETTL/iTTL strobes as well as any full power studio strobe with a sync port. Never before has a photographer been able to tailor off camera flash to meet their exact shooting style."

How does a PX transmitter control the power of the AB lights?

[ldelacruz]

I am only guessing but it doesn't control the power just triggers it. Alien Bee has a device that will control the power of each light individually.

[ChristopherCoy]

No, as I understand it, Radio Poppers have a 2nd circuit in their 1/8" sync plug that allows you to control the power of AB studio lights directly from the camera.

[ldelacruz]

I hope your right and I am wrong!

[luis_relampago]

Yes the Radio Poppers JrX studio receivers have a telephone jack input that you connect to the telephone jack output on the AB units and it lets you control the units(up to 3) from the transmitter witch it has 3 little knobs to control the intensity of the strobes. That was the main reason I bought a JrX system even do there is a few things I am not totally happy with the system like the battery consumption and the design on the transmitter but other than that they are great.

[HeatherLou]

Chris, I use JrX with both my AB lights and my 580 EXII. Not sure about Nikon, but I would think you just have to have a sync cord.

[gregt1310]

Heather is right, but keep in mind with the Jrx that you will not be able to use TTL on the SB800's. If you want to use TTL, then the Px system is what you need.

[ChristopherCoy]

Well thats what I thought, but then the website said that you can use them together, and I took that to mean you could use the PX unit to trigger AND control the JrX receiver.

So if I wanted to use the TTL functions of the speedlights, I would in fact need two seperate systems, one for the AB's and one for the SB800's then?

[ldelacruz]

I love when I am wrong! I will keep an eye on this thread!

[Tom]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

Well thats what I thought, but then the website said that you can use them together, and I took that to mean you could use the PX unit to trigger AND control the JrX receiver.

So if I wanted to use the TTL functions of the speedlights, I would in fact need two seperate systems, one for the AB's and one for the SB800's then?

You may be able to control them, but one set may need to be set manually.

[hhscr]

If you want to use the TTL function of the speedlights you will need the PX system of transmitter and receivers for the speedlights.

The PX transmitter will also trigger the JRX receiver on the AB and it will also allow you to control the AB from the PX transmitter by using the group settings.

The JRX transmitter will make controlling the JRX receiver easier for adjusting the AB's , the JRX will also trigger the PX receivers on the speedlights but only in manual mode.

The PX receiver will not trigger the AB's.

[ChristopherCoy]

Thats what I thought. In order to get the full functions, I'll have to have a set for each.

[PeteQ]

What Darrell said...

With Radiopoppers now you can "mix and match" and you should start with the system you will use most. What I mean by that is if you are shooting mostly with speedlights then go with a PX system and you can add in the JrX receivers when you add your strobes. If you shoot mainly studio work then perhaps the JrX system is the place to start knowing you can add your speelight in if you need it. And with the Canon flash you can remotely control the power using a JrX transmitter and PX receiver on your 580. A speedlight makes a great hairlight btw...

But the JrX system is very reasonable, less than $200 for a receiver/transmitter kit that gives you remote power control of an ABee and the extra receivers are like $100 and I have found them to be very reliable. I have shelved my PWs as I am running a PX system with a spare JrX receiver in the bag, just in case...

If it is a bit confusing it's because they are so versatile you can kind of make things work no matter which way you go, but there will be things that work better than others depending on which avenue you are going.

[ldelacruz]

What was Alien Bee coming out with that would allow higher sync speeds for their strobes? Or was it the Einstein strobes?

Never mind it is the camera!

[keripayne]

I've been looking at the Jrx units too. What's the deal with the RPcube? It was supposed to be released in September or October and allow your jrx stereo system to control the speedlites with the knobs, same as with the Alien Bees. But apparently that system is never coming out?

And can't you use the jrx non-studio to control everything (AB's and speedlites) manually?

The radio poppers seem like a great thing but it makes me a little leery that they're so random with what they say (something will be released in 6 weeks) and what actually happens (something is apparently NEVER going to be released). I wonder how many people bought the Jrx system with the hope to add in the RPcubes for full functionally, but who are now still waiting......