Just got my new PocketWizards!

Just took delivery of my new PocketWizard FlexTT5 and MiniTT1 after a LONG wait. I can't believe that B&H Photo insist on full payment for a product even when they are on a lengthy backorder. Oh well, I was happy to pay but them having close to $1000 of my money for 2 1/2 months seem a bit rich.

There has been quite a lot of negative feedback about the actual range of the new PocketWizards. When I placed my order they advertised range up to between 800 and 1200 feet. I notice now, following many negative reviews, that the spec page has changed to a range of 30 - 1200 feet depending upon variables. Hmmm. I will do my own short video review and post it on here soon.

Compact Flash card reader speeds investigated

I thought I would do a bit of my own research into the difference in speeds between various card readers as I have been a bit disappointed in the transfer speeds of my photos when working on deadlines on my laptop. My test consisted of an arbitrary 1.36Gb of files transferred using three different card readers. A Sandisk Extreme USB2.0 reader, an Apacer MegaSteno USB2.0 all-in-one reader and another badged "mrgadget.com.au" 12-in-1 USB2.0 reader. I did all the tests using a brand new Sandisk Extreme IV 4Gb CF card.

Transfer files to computer using	(seconds)
Sandisk Extreme USB2.0	88
Apacer MegaSteno USB2.0	174
"mrgadget.com.au" 12-in-1 USB2.0	207
Transfer files to CF card using
Sandisk Extreme USB2.0	139
Apacer MegaSteno USB2.0	171
"mrgadget.com.au" 12-in-1 USB2.0	265

I also gave the quickest reader (Sandisk Extreme USB2.0) a try with a Sandisk Ultra II CF Card with the results listed below.

Transfer files to computer using	(seconds)
Sandisk Extreme USB2.0	136
Transfer files to CF card using
Sandisk Extreme USB2.0	154

So all in all, pretty happy with the transfer speed of the Extreme card reader when combined with the Extreme IV CF card. The Extreme Firewire reader is quite a lot quicker however unfortunately it only works with 6 pin and 9 pin firewire connections which rules out a LOT of laptops on the market (those equipped with only 4 pin connections)