Update: RadioPopper Final Product Photos!

[Abel]

The reliability of radio slave, paired with the creative freedom of e-TTL is here at last. Introducing the RadioPopper flash triggering system. The first ever product like it anywhere in the world, the RadioPopper transmitter and receiver pair seamlessly convert your existing current model Canon and Nikon flash units from an infrared line of sight wireless system to an omni directional, long distance, and highly reliable radio based flash system.

RadioPopper maintains all of your camera’s existing ETTL and ATTL functions including multi-channel receiver selection, groupings, ratios, and high speed sych functions. And fine tune your exposure as always with the Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC) controls already built into your camera. All the same functions you already know and love while seamlessly replacing the (occasionally unreliable) infrared communication scheme with a highly reliable radio signal connection.

Range:
500 + feet outdoors, 200+ feet indoors

Official site located here:
http://www.radiopopper.com/


Official Press Release located here:
http://www.radiopopper.com/pdf/radio...release_v1.pdf


Photos Added 2-12-08

RadioPopper Transmitter























RadioPopper Receiver

[Abel]

Updated:

Price $175 per unit
No Transceiver available, only separate receiver and separate transmitter.
Will use a AAA battery for power.
Works with high speed Sync! Yippee!

More recent News:
http://www.radiopopper.com/pdf/radiopopper_news_01.pdf

[Abel]

I have been notified that I should be receiving a pre-release evaluation copy in order to try and use and share with other photographers in my area. I will forward on any and all of the feedback I have from these products with you guys here as well.

I cant wait!

[imported_JeromeL]

sweet! let us know what you think of it. im seriously interested in these things. im too poor for PWs and my ebay triggers aren't reliable enough.

[Abel]

I emailed Kevin the maker of the RadioPoppers to see if he had a better idea on release dates. their site does say that he will be doing pre orders in Decemeber.

I cant wait!

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Keep us posted. I want in on a pair.

[Abel]

no word as of yet... stilling anxiously awaiting. hehee

[imported_JeromeL]

i did some reading on these through both the website and strobist flickr, and im pretty disappointed. long story short, you have to have a singular system to retain e-ttl, ie: all canon speedlites (430, 550, 580 ,etc) or all nikon.

[Abel]

right. there would be no way to have a canon camera control nikon's ittl system and vice versa... has to be brand specific.

i should be receiving a set for review shortly after the new year.... im anxious for these little guys to come to out.

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Originally Posted by JeromeL

i did some reading on these through both the website and strobist flickr, and im pretty disappointed. long story short, you have to have a singular system to retain e-ttl, ie: all canon speedlites (430, 550, 580 ,etc) or all nikon.

Honestly? How many people really have mixed flash brands in their arsenal? Maybe secondary brands ie. Vivitar's and such but how many Nikon shooters are going to have Canon flash heads? Maybe some but IMHO, not enough to make this a serious or even a minor issue. It's no worse than having proprietary RAW formats, don't you think?

[FerrisPhoto]

Originally Posted by Joe_Lorenzini

Honestly? How many people really have mixed flash brands in their arsenal? Maybe secondary brands ie. Vivitar's and such but how many Nikon shooters are going to have Canon flash heads? Maybe some but IMHO, not enough to make this a serious or even a minor issue. It's no worse than having proprietary RAW formats, don't you think?

I can guarantee you that anyone who is a "strobist" has a mixture of flashes. The basis for their existence is cheap lighting, and DIY mods.

I can't remeber the last time I even used ETTL at all, I run 98% manual, unless it's just a snapshot, but I usually use a point and shoot for that. I'm not too excited for the release of these, I'm perfectly satisfied with my Pocket Wizards. I even added a sync port to each of my 580's so I wouldn't have to upgrade to the 580 II.

[Abel]

updated photo from their site:



So here they are - a first glimpse of the P1 production units. Pictured are our v1.0 preproduction prototypes. These are functional units from our first short run batch. They were manufactured with micro sized internal antennas. These micro antennas, though highly and specially tuned for this application, failed to provide the even signal pattern we were looking for. The pictured units have been refitted with connectors for external antennas. The unit pictured displays the antenna to be used on final production units.


Both units sit on half of the enclosure to be used for production units. The finished dimensions 2.6 inches long by 2 inches wide, by 0.75 inches thick. The antenna length is approximately 4.5 inches. This enclosure is very slightly larger than the one we’d originally designed to. The original enclosure didn’t allow enough room for the antenna mount. A major bonus with the move to this new sized enclosure is we now have room for a standard AA battery. That’s right! We went from watch batteries, to AAA batteries, and now, finally - the battery you already own a bag full of - a standard AA. That’s progress!

[FerrisPhoto]

Geeez, I hope they don't look like that when they arrive. It's about time they get a picture of the actual product.

[Abel]

i spoke to kevin last month, the man behind the radiopopper and he mentioned they couldnt release any photos since they were still in the process of covering all of the legal angles with patents and such.

im still anxious to receive an evaluation set and you guys will be the first to hear what my impressions are!

[FerrisPhoto]

I bet they will far outperform the ST-E2, but that's not exactly shooting for the moon though.