SM Development Flash Waves -radio trigger
23.1.2009  |   Add comment   |   No comments  |  Permalink
last summer I got really fed up with cheap eBay triggers as they were really unreliable and one of the transmitters even broke down the cover and ever since then the cover has been attached to the transmitter with a rubber band.

So I started looking for alternative to these cheapos and a radio trigger/receiver system called SM Development FlashWaves came across. After some readings I took the plunge and ordered a set of one each.

After I received the package, I must say I was really surprised on the build quiality of these things. Nothing really like the eBay triggers. The transitter is no bigger than a matchbox and you attach that to your camera's hot shoe. The receiver is also solid and sturdy and contains a hot shoe for a flash.

The transmitter/receiver works with seven different channels and all settings can be done without opening the device. If you want, you can also synch with a chord.

The receiver contains a LED, which is blinking every other second to inform you that the receiver is turned on. The receiver itself works on two AAA-batteries so this is great news. On every flash trigger the receiver also blinks an orange light if the battery needs to be changed... nice feature!

After some testing I have not had any misfires or sporratic firing, so it seems as this radio trigger is really way better than the eBay ones.

FlashWaves do not support TTL, so everything has to be done manually. This is fine though as I believe any strobist out there wants to have full control of the light. The max synch speed on full batteries is 1/250 and on some drained batteries it goes down to 1/180s.

Next week I am having a rock-spirited wedding portrait shoot at a local rock club and will put these babies into a test.

 SM Development (SMDV) FlashWaves