Digital Camera World - UK (2019-10)

K i t Z o n e

128 DIGITAL CAMERA^ OCTOBER 2019 http://www.digitalcameraworld.com

Mini Test

Cactus V6 II

£89/$89

http://www.cactus-image.com

T

he original Cactus V6 made waves

thanks to its ability to simultaneously

trigger flashguns from all major

manufacturers, including Canon, Nikon, Nissin

and Sigma. The cross-compatible hotshoe

design also meant the V6 wasn’t picky about

which brand of camera you mounted it to.

This version II model can pull the exact same

cross-compatibility tricks, and much more. The

V6 II can now wirelessly transmit TTL signals

to Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic,

Pentax and Sigma flashguns. There’s also

cross-brand wireless manual flash power

adjustment, zoom head control, and

High-Speed Sync compatibility.

The V6 II is also able to auto-detect the brand

of flashgun or camera to which it’s attached, and

programme itself accordingly. Range is excellent

at 100+ metres. There’s the ability to manage

four flash groups over 16 possible channels.

Everything’s controlled by a clear, back-lit

LCD screen and intuitive controls.

You’ll need two V6 transceivers to get started

• one set as the transmitter, the other as the
  receiver – which does double the price quoted,
  but the combined cost is still competitive
  with other transmitter/receiver kits.

PROS Extremely versatile; cross-brand

TTL and HSS support

CONS The control interface is not

as refined as on some rival systems

Verdict

Hähnel Viper TTL

£130/$116

http://www.hahnel.ie

T

he original Viper system was a simple

but very effective trigger with an

impressive 2.4GHz, 100-metre range.

However, it was compatible only with Canon

flashguns and lacked TTL transmission. Hähnel

has addressed both these limitations with this

updated version. The Viper TTL kit comes in

Canon, Nikon and Sony variants, with TTL

compatibility for all three brands. We found

that the TTL mode on our Nikon sample

version worked perfectly, making for

effortless set-up and operation.

You still get remote control of flashgun power

from the transmitter, with the clear backlit LCD

screen and logical controls making the system

a cinch to use. Flashguns can be arranged into

three distinct groups, and although there’s no

choice of frequency channels to combat RF

interference, Hähnel goes one better with a

Digital Channel Matching system that securely

codes the transmitter and receivers together.

Build quality isn’t quite on a par with the top

triggers on test, but it’s not far off, and you get

metal hotshoe mounts all round. Revamped to

meet the needs of more photographers, the

Viper trigger is superb value and perfect

if you’re new to off-camera flash lighting.

PROS Great value; effective long-range control;

TTL triggering of multiple flashguns

CONS Lacks some advanced features; larger

than the Nissin Air 10s/Air R system

Verdict

Nissin Air 10s

Commander

& Air R receiver

£105 (kit)/$170+70 (commander+receiver)

http://www.nissindigital.com

N

issin’s Air System uses a 2.4GHz radio

frequency link, which in the Air 10s

is capable of a huge 100m wireless

range – a healthy increase on the 30m range

of Nissin’s older Air 1 transmitter. While few

scenarios demand you be such a distance

away from your flash, it at least gives peace

of mind that this system will maintain a

rock-solid connection at shorter distances.

The Air 10s Commander unit is intuitive to

operate, with a clear, logical display and just the

right amount of controls to balance ease of use

with functionality. It packs useful features like

remote power adjustment of a whopping eight

flash groups, an AF assist lamp, and wireless

TTL compatibility with Canon, Nikon, Sony,

Fujifilm and Micro Four Thirds TTL systems.

You can control Nissin’s own Di700A, i60A

and MG-series flashguns directly from the Air

10s, but an Air R receiver is required for other

flashguns. The Air R is just as compact as the

Commander, and is also powered by convenient

AAA batteries. Nissin has even added a little

flip-down foot that lets you stand the receiver

and attached flashgun on a flat surface.

This is a well made, high-performing

trigger kit that’s suitable for all abilities.

PROS Compact and very easy to use; good

build quality; features TTL triggering

CONS Not quite as well-specced as the

winning Phottix Odin II; high cost in US

Verdict

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Position your flashgun away from your camera,

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