Cactus V6 II

Cactus Wireless Flash Transceiver V6 II

Cactus

Cactus V6 II Video #1

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Cactus V6 II 

Buy: Cactus Wireless Flash Transceiver V6 II Channels: 16, Compatibility: Universal, Kit Style: 1 Pack, Radio Frequency: 2.4 GHz, Range: 300-400', Trigger Type: Radio Triggers

After two years in the making, Cactus V6 II - the second generation of the World's First cross-brand wireless flash transceiver, NOW supports high-speed synchronisation (HSS)!  Besides the revolutionary remote power control of Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax flashes all at the same time, the new models now support HSS / FP mode in the same cross-brand environment. This unique function gives photographers flexibility undreamed of. Matching flashes with same camera systemfor off-camera flash photography is over.   Two High-Speed Sync Modes  1. Normal HSS: Supports shutter speed up to 1/8000s.  2. Power Sync: Boosts flash contribution above camera's x-sync speed, perfect for extreme conditions where Normal HSS is not powerful enough  Cactus also extends HSS capabilities to Fujifilm cameras despite them not yet supporting high-speed sync at the time of writing.  AF-Assist  Both the V6 II and IIs now has an automatic LED AF-assist light that makes auto-focusing in dark environments possible - even in pitched-black!3 Besides the camera-mounted V6 II/IIs, off-camera units will also activate the AF-assist light, which helps focusing even when camera is far from the subject.  Highly Intelligent  V6 II can now auto-detect the on-camera portable flashes at device start-up by selecting the system the flash belongs to and assigning an Auto flash profile. Moreover, it now works with previously unsupported digital-only TTL flash models on the V6 and expands its compatibility. Similarly, the V6 II will auto-detect the camera and selects the system accordingly.4 This simple plug-and-play makes the setting up extremely quick and easy that both amateurs and professionals appreciate.  Flash Profile Customization  Users may still manually choose from more than 60 popular flash models from Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, Panasonic, Metz, Nissin, etc. should they wish to. And for those who demands the utmost accurate power outputs they may adjust each power level using the Cactus Profile Editor, a computer-installed software that allows the saving of up to 10 personalized flash profiles.  Remote Power and Zoom Control  Besides remote power control, remote zoom control is now available toall compatible TTL flashes, which was only available on Cactus RF60 series Wireless Flash. This will give photographers much quicker controls by swapping controls of power and zoom settings directly on the V6 II  Multi-master  The V6 II now allows multiple photographers to trigger off-camera flashes at the same time. Not only is this great for wedding and events, it is also perfect for running photography workshops.  Flash model profiles pre-installed in V6 II: Canon system models:  &#149; Canon 320EX, 420EX, 430EX, 580EX, 600EX; &#149; Godox TT685, V860C; &#149; Metz 36AF-5, 44AF-1, 50AF-1, 52AF-1, 58AF-1, 58AF-2, 64AF-1; &#149; Nissin Di600, Di622, Di700, Di866, Di866II, i40, MG8000; &#149; Phottix MITROS; &#149; Pixel X650C, X800C; &#149; Shanny SN600C; &#149; Yongnuo 568EX;  Fujifilm system models:  &#149; Fujifilm EF-42; &#149; Nissin i40;  Nikon system models:  &#149; Godox V860N; &#149; Metz 36AF-5, 44AF-1, 50AF-1, 52AF-1, 58AF-2, 64AF-1; &#149; Nikon SB-500, SB-600, SB-700, SB-800, SB-900, SB-910; &#149; Nissin Di600, Di700, Di866, Di866II, MG8000; &#149; Phottix MITROS; &#149; Pixel X800N; &#149; Sigma EF-530 &#149; Yongnuo 568EX  Olympus system models:  &#149; Metz 44AF-1, 50AF-1, 52AF-1, 58AF-2; &#149; Olympus FL-36R, FL-50R;  Panasonic system models:  &#149; Panasonic FL360, FL500;  Pentax system models:  &#149; Metz 36AF-5, 44AF-1, 50AF-1, 58AF-2; - Pentax AF 360FGZ, AF 540FGZ;

It does not work. The firmware did not work.

Bought a used one.

I've Olympus and the unit functions only as a wireless trigger with the Olympus flash. The controls on the transmitter have no relation to outcome. You cannot over or under expose. The FP does NOT work. The only way you can use these is to put the flash and camera on manual and test to get the right exposure. This product does very little that it claims. I have bought it twice presuming the first was defective. I've spent long periods on the phone with the manufacturer in HK. This item needs to stop being promoted as having compatibility with Olympus cameras and flashes. It does not at the current time. I will keep it as an off camera wireless synch. But that's all.

No Good With Olympus

It is the only trigger for pentax dslr cameras that enables wireless HSS flash photography. Great product.

Great product

WIth this radio I can shoot HSS with all my Olympus Camera, including the older Evolt e-410, PEN E-PL6, E-M5, E-M1, E-M5ii. "Hurrah!"

HSS on Olympus PEN and OM-D Cameras

Hi,

I first updated the firmware and then tested on my Canon 430 EX II and Fuji XT2. While it recognized  both it failed to work for the hi speed sync learn mode. 

Overall I get the impression this product has not gone through much testing. I am returning this because I need gear to be reliable.

Failed to work with Fuji Xt2

The Cactus Triggers work with the Olympus Em-1 but not with the universal Streaklight AD360 and Zoom Li-on units. Although, I understand they will work with the dedicated Flashpoint units.

No luck for me today, had to return them ...but I recommend them for dedicated units.

Kinda Works

Ordered this to do HSS (High Speed Sync) with Fuji XT-2 and Nikon SB-900.  Triggers seemed to work well in other limited scenarios that I tested but I was unable to get consistent reliable performance in the HSS scenario (worked about 20-25% of the time).  Sent them back since this was my main objective

Cactus Fuji compatibility

The two units I purchased (and will return!) functioned erratically despite factory resets, reloading software updates, switching units from TX to RX function, verifying correct settings, etc. Spent hours trying to get HSS work. Finally, one of the units did function as a TX successfully with HSS. However, after switching it back as a receiver to retest the other unit, it did not work. Too much time spent tweaking the controls with a disappointing result. Also, be sure to check the fine print regarding pass-through TTL -- will only work with flash and camera with same TTL system using one of the units as transmitter. Although this isn't indicated on their web site, it is indicated in the user manual -- flash and hotshoe connection have to be of same manufacturer -- kind of defeats purpose of being able to use different unmatched flash and camera!!  Perhaps I should have heeded the negative reviews I saw here and on other sites!!! But, was worth a try...I guess. So back to using reliable Nikons with Pocketwizard for HSS -- when I really wanted to use my X-T1!!!

Highly unworkable, clumsy solution for Fuji X-T1 and Nikon SB800 with HSS

These are a great wireless trigger if you shoot Fuji (Or other brands) The menu system takes a minute to learn but once you've got it, they're awesome. They have a ton of options that other triggers in this price range don't offer.

Great Fuji Flash Trigger Option

I have use this on the GH4 and Olympus EM5 Mark 2 and it works great with HSS .Only thing I don't like is that it does not have TTL wirelessly although it does have TTL passed through on Camera but not off it.

Easy to use on M4/3

I own the Cactus V6 (version 1) and RF60 which work great with my Fujifilm X-T10 camera except for HSS support. Fujifilm cameras before the X-Pro 2/X-T2 do not support automatic high speed sync. However, the V6 II offers a workaround to support normal HSS and Power Sync with Fujifilm cameras. However, since the timing of the Forced HSS is obtained by simulation, flash exposures may not cover the entire picture taken at the highest shutter speed. With the new Cactus V6 II, you can get the Cactus Wireless Flash RF60 to shoot HSS with Fujifilm off camera up to 1/1000, and maybe higher depending on your camera.
 As an alternative to the normal HSS, the Power Sync of the V6 II syncs with the full power flash of the remote flashes. Power Sync yields a much higher exposure than the normal HSS flash.
The V6II can be operated as a transmitter(TX) or a receiver(RX).You may combine the RF60 series flash with TTL flashes from different manufacturers to form a remote flash control system. For example, assign a RF60  to group A, a Canon 580EX II (with a V6 II RX) to group B, and a Nikon SB-900 (with another V6 II RX) to group C. The V6 II TX will be able to trigger them all, set their power levels in either relative or absolute power mode and adjust their zoom angles. The Cactus V6 II triggers all other flash models via the hot shoe, and studio strobes with the PC sync male port, 3.5mm or 6.35mm port via optional cables . This includes high trigger voltage portable flash models, and all strobe models with a trigger voltage of 300V or under. The Cactus V6 II does not provide remote power control of these flashes and strobes.
Note that the Cactus V6II does not command slave flashes to fire according to TTL metering wirelessly, however it is designed to pass TTL signal from camera to flash via the transmitter (TX) and vice versa. With TTL pass-through, the TTL flashes behave as they would when directly connected to the camera hot shoe, as long as they belong to the same TTL system. So the TTL flash connected to the camera on top of the V6II in TX mode with TTL pass-though activated can operate in TTL mode while all other slave TTL flashes operate only in manual mode controlled by the V6II TX.
Two V6IIs can be used, together with an optional shutter release cable compatible with your camera, as a remote shutter release. This includes Bulb mode as well as relay mode for firing remote flashes simultaneously.
The V6 II is equipped with an auto-focus (AF) assist LED and is capable of emitting AF-assist light in accordance with the camera’s command. The power of the AF-assist light could be adjusted in either TX or RX mode to best suit your working environment.
The V6 II transceiver is powered by two AA batteries and comes with a mini-USB port that serves two purposes: providing external USB power and for firmware updates.
The built quality of the V6II is good, however the battery door is hard to operate and feels flimsy. The locking mechanism can obstruct the view and operation of some camera controls on the top plate of the camera. Firmware updates are easy using the Cactus Firmware Updater application. 
I've only discussed some of the main features of this system in this review. For a complete set of features visit the Cactus-Image website.
For the price, this system is hard to beat. The Cactus V6 II is compatible with many non-Cactus flashes. If you have existing TTL non-Cactus flashes, get a V6II for each of them and one for the camera. If not get the RF60 flash which comes with a built in V6 and a V6II for the camera. I highly recommend this system.

A good off camera flash option for Fujifilm X cameras

Wonderful tranceivers capable of HSS and auto focus. Easy to set up and use. The one caveat is that you cannot fire them by a hand held light meter.

Cactus V6II is almost perfect....

I have tried and tested these triggers for countless hours over the weekend.  They hardly ever working.  Extremely not reliable.  I got HSS work only a few times but it just doesn't do HSS over 90% of time.

Maybe the firmware will fix the problem later but I don't want to take the chance so I refunded the 2 triggers I bought.

Doesn't do HSS on Fuji cameras

The units give an inconsistent output of flash power to the attached receiver unit.  After updating the firmware to the latest version the only way I can make my Fuji XT-1 send signal to the receiver unit is by having the Transmitter unit identify the camera automatically.
  I cannot make the transmitter unit control the flash output conform with the selected power rating.
  I used these flashes: Fuji EF 42, Canon 580, Neewer TT850 (manual) and Neewer 320TTL.  I returned 3 Trans/Receiver units.
  I was spending too much time trying to make the units function.

Inconsistent result

I have used cactus transceivers for wireless off camera flash first with the v5 line, the first v6 line and now have got one v6ii to compliment my 4 rf60 flashes.  What's already great about these transceivers is that they let you control the power of the flash remotely [native on the cactus rf60, with a profile on select oem flashes].  The original v6 with the rf60 could be used in a pseudo HSS mode with a nikon body, however you need to trick the body into thinking an HSS flash was attached [involved using another transceiver that was HSS capable and then having one trigger the other --- a usable solution but a rather clunky attachment to your hot shoe and just one more thing to fail on a shoot]. The new version of this transceiver addresses this as it natively supports HSS with your flash.  I have only used it to trigger my rf60 flashes on both nikon and fuji bodies.  I am able to sync up to 1/8000 on the nikon and up to 1/1000 on the fuji. They may seem pricy compared to other wireless flash triggers, but the ability to control flash power remotely is a huge relief, allowing you to string up flashes to hard to get to places for a shoot :)

Great addition to an already great wireless flash tranceiver

If you shot Pentax camera's the Cactus V6ii is the only way to go.  I have been able to achieve HSS with the my Elinchrom BX and D-Lite studio strobes to 1/8000 of a second.  It also works with my Metz AF-52-1.  Great product!!!!

Great Tool for HSS With any System

I was very excited about those triggers, so I ordered six of them from the Cactus website and was terrible surprised when I was testing them out and experienced over 30% misfires!!! I tried using them on my Canon 600EX-RT, Shanny SN600C,and Godox V860C and the problem was there on all of them. The misfires were a lot less when the transceivers were both in line of sight but that doesn't make sense with Radio triggers!! I'll keep my rating as one star until I am able to resolve this issue with Cactus customer service.

Cactus Wireless Flash Transceiver V6 II

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