In this lesson I’ll go over the flash triggers I use and the ones that work. I’m assuming you know what these are and how to use them.
The four things you might need from a flash trigger
- Compatibility with your speedlights or strobes
- Control of your speedlights or strobes in groups or individually
- ETTL
- HSS (High Speed Sync)
Is the hot shoe of the Sony a7R II/a7S II different from Canon or Nikon?
Yes, but third-party triggers and speedlights will mount on it. The two triggers I use are:
- Yongnuo 603II (Nikon version) – used with a Yongnuo 560 IV speedlight
- Elinchrom Skyport – used with Elinchrom Master RX strobes (600 Ws, only available in India)
- I also have an old Vivitar 3200A speedlight.
Both triggers and speedlights work directly on both cameras. No issues. You might have to reposition it (I didn’t) a bit, but they work.
Some triggers are made for the old Sony/Minolta/Alpha (DSLR) system and will need an adapter. Here’s the link for the adapter only if you need it: Sony Auto-Lock Shoe Adapter.
You will need to buy a trigger/tranceiver that matches your speedlight or strobe.
ETTL
Sony is planning to release a wireless trigger of their own (coming second half 2016). However, this will only trigger Sony speedlights.
The other three triggers I know of at this time are:
- Phottix Odin II (Not yet released, estimated April 2016)
- Pixel Kings and Pixel Opas
- Nissin Air Commander
- Godox Sony X1S (Coming Soon)
None of these will work with any Profoto, Elinchrom, Broncolor, etc., products, sadly. You are restricted to third-party products with limited support and parts availability.
HSS
You are probably stuck with the above triggers, but how well they will perform for HSS remains to be seen. Unless you have a trigger and strobe system specifically made for Sony, it’s hard to get HSS. Still, there are reports that the Profoto Air for Nikon gets you HSS with the a7R II and a7S II, though I don’t recommend you take my word for it.
