Phottix Photo Accessories have announced final specifications and an estimated launch date of of their RF-602-bashing Phottix Strato 4-in-1 2.4 GHz flash triggering system. The new trigger has received a “redesign and thorough testing” since PMA andĂ‚Â will be sold alongside their 433MHzĂ‚Â Phottix Atlas from August. Changes to the design include 4 channels rather than 16, and AAA batteries instead of AAs.
Read the latest announcement at theĂ‚Â Phottix Journal. Expect an official announcement in late July.Ă‚Â Also on its way: the Phottix Varos umbrella holder, a design exclusive to Phottix and shipping from “mid-July”.
Phottix Strato Full specifications
- 2.4 GHz with 4 channels
- Range of over 100 metres
- Syncs up to 1/250sec with most cameras
- Hotshoe: wakes up Canon and Nikon flashes from sleep mode
- 5V DC power input on the receiver
- TTL pass-through hotshoe on transmitter
- Can trigger speedlights and studio lights via the 3.5mm flash sync port
- Can autofocus and trip remote cameras via the 2.5mm shutter release port
- AAA batteries in both transmitter and receiver
Compare the Phottix Strato’s specifications to other triggering systems, new and old, with the Lighting Rumours Flash Triggering Guide.
Why not just get Yongnuo RF-602s?
- Same excellent reliability and range
- Easier channel adjustment – no sharp objects required
- TTL pass-through hotshoe on transmitter
- Non-proprietary ports – buy shutter release and sync cables anywhere
- No more CR2s! AAA batteries in both transmitter and receiver
- Screw-down feet on transmitter and receiver
- Receiver can be used without batteries on 5V DC
- Flash wake-up actually works with Nikon SB-600
- Instruction manuals in plain English
- Distributors around the world
TTL pass-through on the transmitter? So what?
A extra hotshoe on the transmitter has so far been Ă‚Â seen only in the PocketWizard FlexTT5, MiniTT1 and Yongnuo YN-04 II (that we know of). With a free shoe with full TTL compatibility you can:
- Have an extra flash on-camera
- Use your flash’s autofocus assist light (a big deal for Canon users)
- Combine TTL on-axis fill with your manual off-camera flashes
- Combine manual flashes and studio lights with Nikon AWL/CLS or Canon Wireless
- Use a ring flash adapter (e.g. Rayflash) and radio triggers at the same time.
- Use two radio trigger systems at once.
- Use coldshoe knick-knacks such as bubble levels
Where to buy
Upon release, the Phottix Strato and Phottix Varos will be available for purchase worldwide from the Phottix Store and later through other resellers.