Cheap Wireless Flash Trigger CTR-301(P)

I had been using a PC Sync cable for remotely firing my flash but the connection between my 20D and the cable was a bit loose, resulting in me having to hold or tape the cable against the camera to get it to fire consistently. Using a cable is also a bit of a pain if you are moving around when shooting.

I wanted to try wireless triggers, but even the cheap end of the name brand triggers are over 100 quid for a minimal setup, so I decided to investigate the current state of the ebay wireless triggers (sometimes known as poverty wizards, as play on words with the top quality pocket wizard products).

Up until recently, the Cactus V2 triggers were the popular choice on ebay. Not massively reliable, but easy to modify and improve. Recently, two more types have arrived - the Cactus V4 and the Yongnuo CTR-301. The Cactus V4 was intended to improved the build quality and fixed the main reliability problems with the V2 version. The CTR-301 triggers were an alternative from the Yongnuo company who make a lot of cheap, third party camera accessories.

Reading up on various forums, it appeared that the Cactus V4 triggers were just as problematic as the V2s. If you got a good set, they worked brilliantly, but there seemed to be plenty of dodgy sets about. The CTR-301s seemed to be getting a more favourable write-up, still some problems and grumbles about their choice of using less common batteries, but overall they appeared to be working well.

I ordered a kit of the CTR-301 (now called the CTR-301P since they have been improved to include a pc sync socket) which contained a transmitter and 2 receivers. I only have one flash at the moment, but thought I may as well get the extra receiver. The kit arrived this morning, 5 working days from Hong Kong to the UK is pretty decent.

The transmitter slides onto the hotshoe of the camera and fits snugly despite there being no locking mechanism on it. The top of the transmitter has a test button and a small light that flashes when it is transmitting. On the underside are a couple of switches that you use to set the frequency channel that the transmitter uses. The transmitter takes a 23A type battery, often used in keyfobs, lighters or alarms. This is already fitted on arrival.

The receiver has a hotshot mount on the top, for the flash, and a metal tripod thread underneath for mounting it on a tripod or light stand. I have a Manfrotto umbrella mount that it fits onto fine. Also on the underside is matching set of frequency channel switches and a battery hatch. The receiver takes CR2 batteries, which are easily found in the UK/US but apparently not so easily in other countries. The battery is included but not fitted. On the side of the receiver is the PC socket, which takes a 2.5mm mono jack. A cable is included to connect this to a studio strobe with a 6.35mm PC socket. Also on the side is the on/off switch and a signal indicator light. The unit has two operating modes, switched to ‘W’ it is triggered by the wireless transmitter and switched to “L” it is triggered by another flash - there is an optical sensor on the back of the receiver.

I tested each receiver in turn and they both worked well. Indoors, I was able to trigger the flash at the full sync speed of my camera (1/250s) with the flash in the front bedroom and the camera in the back bedroom - a distance of over 30ft and through a wall or two. I fired several flashes with each receiver and there were no mis-fires. I’ve not had a chance to try them outdoors yet, but I will do when the weather improves.

Initial impressions are very good, the units work as required and the build quality seems decent enough. Only time will tell on the reliability and battery life so I will be keeping tabs on that and making sure I have some spare batteries in my bag. As for the cost, this set was 30 quid, including the postage, which makes them about the same price as my PC Sync cable set-up!