For Photographers: Calumet Flash Trigger Review

For Photographers

July 30, 2013

So I will readily admit to you guys that before last Fall, shooting with an off camera flash really scared me! I shoot primarily using natural light, so flash wasn’t something I really felt that I needed to delve into. I was perfectly content to bounce my flash off of the ceilings to get the look I wanted during receptions. That is, until I had a night time wedding outdoors…with no tent. Or ceiling. Or anything at all to bounce my flash off of! After a little crash course in OCF (and after realizing how necessary OCF can be in a ton of situations!) I started using two flashes at every wedding. For more specifics on my actual setup, you can read here! I do everything the same, except I’m currently shooting with a 580 ex II and a 430 ex instead of the 600s.  (I chose to forgo buying the 600s this year in favor of purchasing a 5dmkii body instead!)

Since I had become pretty familiar with the 600s while I was renting them, I wanted to buy something I could use to trigger the two flashes that was just as easy to operate as two 600 rt. The 600s are SO easy to operate and they rarely ever misfire! I tried pocket wizards (which were slightly more complicated to figure out because they offer more options) and then the Calumet triggers. The Calumet triggers are VERY inexpensive. The receiver and transmitter (which are all I need for what I use them for) are $74.99! A fraction of what it would cost you to invest in Pocket Wizards! I admit that I was a little hesitant about purchasing them since they were so cheap…I’m used to investing hundreds of dollars into equipment purchases, so I was definitely a little bit skeptical. But once I started using them, I loved them! I’m all about keeping things simple, and flash intimidates me, so if I can figure these little guys out, ANYONE can.

To use them I literally just put one on my camera and then attach my master flash (580 3x II)  to it, then one on the light stand with the slave flash (430 ex) on it. I make sure they’re on the same channel (there are four to choose from), set up my flashes (usually both on manual with the one on the stand at 1/32nd to start and the one on camera starting at 1/8 or 1/16 depending on the room) test them out and make adjustments if I need to, and then I’m good to go! This system is super consistent and rarely (if at all) misfires. It may not have the range that I’m sure Pocket Wizards or the 600 flashes do (they’re rated to fire within 100 meters) but they have worked for me as far away as I’ve needed them so far! The triggers come in a Canon version and a Nikon version. The Canon can also be used in conjunction with Sony and Olympus bodies, which is very cool if you have one of those systems! Another added benefit is that they take AAA batteries, which are really easy to find, whereas the Pocket Wizards we tried took a watch size battery that was a little bit more difficult to come by. Little things like that are really important to me when considering a purchase, so hopefully something like that is helpful to know!

Calumet flash trigger review by katie nesbitt_0002

I seriously can’t recommend these triggers enough! They are such a great bargain for the price and all that they do! And if you’re like me and your flash setup is pretty simple anyway, these might just be perfect for you!

Leave a Comment

  1. Lauren C says:

    I was super scared of off camera flash up until last year, too! I was so relieved to find that my worries were all for nothing. I use RadioPoppers and they’re a simple setup just like that, too.

  2. Awesome review! I had never heard of these guys before! Glad to know there is something out there less complicated than pocketwizards and radiopoppers! I’m so thankful we don’t have to deal with any of those!

  3. Joey says:

    I’m definitely going to get these!! Thanks for the insight!

  4. This is such a helpful post! I don’t currently use off camera flash but your tips are amazing if I ever decide to integrate it!

  5. Emilia Jane says:

    I’m so glad they’re working perfectly for you! Right now I’m just using the one 600 to trigger the other. But I only actually got that to work with a lot of help from Lauren at Justin & Mary’s Lighting Intensive last year. Prior to that I was definitely terrified of using OCF.

  6. Def a helpful post – Off Camera Flash is amazing at the results in can produce!!

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