xmlns:fb='http://www.facebook.com/2008/fbml' Welcome to the blog of international award winning wedding photojournalist Ian MacMichael: Kath and Tod PWS and Pocket Wizard Flex!

Tuesday 15 February 2011

Kath and Tod PWS and Pocket Wizard Flex!

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Well, I had been patiently waiting for the release of the PW flex system for Nikon watching, all the stuff Canon shooters were doing! As soon as they were available in the UK, I ordered a set. I had them for a week or so before a chance to use them on a shoot. Kath and Tod, whose wedding we're shooting in April, were happy to use their pre wedding shoot for us to have a play!
By means of a quick review, here's how I found the whole experience.......
When the PWs arrived, I un-boxed them and updated the firmware as per the instructions on the box!
Put the batteries in (which are supplied, which is nice!)
Put the TT1 on the camera, the TT5 on the flash, turned them on then began the long process of getting them to talk to each other, must have taken about 3-4 seconds!!
So I was thinking, I really have to have a good play with these before the pre wedding shoot with Kath and Tod so I'm not embarrassed if things go astray (not that they ever do for photographers, right?!)
Before the shoot, a combination of busy family life and client meetings had restricted me to 14 shots with the system!
So we arrived at the shoot at Liverpool's famous Pier Head, set the stuff up and, well, trusted in the system to deliver! I have to say that, hand on heart, they never missed a beat (or a shot!) for the whole shoot! I used a D3 and a D700 and kept swapping the TT1 between the cameras. This never made a difference, every shot was nailed on. Normally, I would use manual triggers and spend quite a bit of time going to the flash and adjusting the power. It was such a revelation to be able to change things from the camera and concentrate on the client and making them feel good about the shoot. It was also great to be able to shoot above 1/250th and get the results in camera I had in my mind! These shots here were all shot at around 1400hrs with one bare faced SB900 at 1/400th or above, and have had very little post other than colour and vignette.
The PWs were soooo good, they far exceeded my expectations. It is one thing to see someone using then on a blog or youtube video, but quite another to use them yourself and to feel the confidence they inspire.
Hope you like the photos Kath and Tod, and every one else.......thanks PW, the system is awesome!













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