RadioPopper - radio remote-flash trigger system with TTL

A new wireless system for remote-flash trigger by radiofrequency signal called RadioPopper that came of the idea of photographer Kevin King was introduced in autumn 2007. Since then there have been two main remote control systems used for triggering off-shoe flashes – the IR system that transmits TTL information from the camera but requires the “line of sight” between the infrared signal source (camera, flash in the “master” mode) and the signal receiver (flash in the “slave” mode) and has limited reach and the radiofrequency system (Pocket Wizard), which has quite long reach and does not need the “line of sight” but it does not transmit TTL information from the master unit to remote flash unit. The newly introduced trigger device RadioPopper brings the best from both these widely used systems.

Principle of the function of RadioPopper device is the conversion of the infrared signal and its TTL information into airwaves that are then transmitted to the remote flash unit with the signal receiver that converts it back to IR signal readable by the flash unit. So for the proper function of RadioPopper we need the infrared source – that is e.g. the transmitter ST-E2 or flashes with the “master” mode (EX 430, 550, 580, 580II) in the Canon EOS line-up; RadioPopper is also compatible with Nikon flash system. More detailed information about the functions and compatibility visit the official website http://radiopopper.com. The basic configuration of the device is 1 transmitter + 1 receiver. Transmitter must be placed on the infrared compartment of the source unit (master flash) but it does not need to be placed directly on the infrared diode; by contrast the receiver must be mounted on the remote flash unit in the way that the diode of RadioPopper must cling directly to the IR receiver of the flash. There are 3 versions of RadioPopper device in the current line-up – P1, P8 and Jr. The RadioPopper P1 version is already in the distribution – it is highly reliable system operating on one single radiofrequency of 916 Mhz. The two other versions of RadioPopper are now in preproduction according to the company blog. While RadioPopper P8 will be more powerful device with 8 optional radiofrequencies, the RadioPopper Jr. version will be slightly downgraded P1 – simply because of the price tag lowering and thus RadioPopper affordability for amateur photographers who are not willing to spend more than 100 USD for one unit (transmitter or receiver). The price of one RadioPopper P1 unit is 180 USD at the moment but the producers assure that the lower price of RadioPopper Jr. unit is not at the expense of its quality or functionality – maybe the difference might be compared to the difference between the build-quality of X0D and X00D camera bodies in the Canon camera line-up.

The reach of RadioPopper was up to 100m as tested outdoor. For all RadioPopper versions will the additional receivers be available and thus it will be possible to work with more of-shoe flashes triggered by one master flash. Because RadioPopper transmits all TTL information as does the infrared system, it allows working with flash groups according to the available flash system. The device can be purchased at the web-shop http://shop.radiopopper.com but so far only the orders from USA and Canada are accepted as the device was not certified for other countries yet. Solution for non-USA residents might be sending the device to some address in USA or Canada and then re-sending to your home address.

RadioPopper as recently introduced device for remote trigger of off-shoe flashes designed for photographers and photography hobbyists who cannot afford buying expensive studio-lightning equipment or like to work with more versatile strobes. The price tag 180 USD is not bad given the functions it gives and the buyers demand; but be patient and wait for the final price of RadioPopper Jr., this should be below 100 USD as they state on the company blog.

If you want to have a look at some pictures taken with aid of RadioPopper device or read more about the practice with the system, do not forget to read through these three interesting reviews:

http://flashflavor.com/blog/post/277

http://edpingol.blogspot.com/2008/04/radio-popper-review.html

http://nickcarverphotography.blogspot.com/2008/05/radiopopper-review.html

If you want to learn more about the off-shoe photography, I strongly recommend to visit the best website of this topic (IMHO) http://strobist.blogspot.com