my go-to flash trigger/controller
By Aaron
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2025-05-22
Over the years, I've used various Radio Frequency triggers, trigger-controllers, and controllers, including brands like PocketWizard, RadioPopper, Yongnuo, Nikon, Godox, and Paul C Buff (CyberSync, Cyber Commander, CyberSense, HUB), to name a few. While none were perfect, they ranged from good to adequate.
Currently, I use Buff strobes, some Modern and some Classic, and Nikon mirrorless bodies with SB-5000 speedlights. Respected professional photographers have praised the FusionTLC Raven, but its high price initially deterred me, especially since I was satisfied with my Cyber Commander (CC). However, with the advent of HSS/TLL and the simpler Buff HUB, I transitioned to using Buff strobes through a phone app for most things, while still using the CC as needed.
I noticed the price of the Raven had dropped, prompting me to give it a try. Here are my observations:
Ease of Use: Simple tasks are intuitive, and complex ones are well-documented and still quite manageable. The basic functions were quickly learned without consulting a manual.
Build Quality: The physical controls have a high-quality feel. The control dial is smooth, fast, and reliable. I once dropped a unit and it bounced off a metal shelf. The control dial popped off, but I easily reattached it, and everything worked perfectly.
Touch Screen: The touch screen is excellent—responsive, easy to use, and with good auto-brightness adjustments for both dark environments and full sunlight. It's set at a good angle for visibility whether holding the camera overhead or at waist level.
User Interface: The interface provides excellent audible and visual feedback (audible can be disabled if desired). Overall, the user interface is top-notch, patterned after the Apple Watch.
Convenience: The hot shoe quick release is straightforward—just pinch and push/pull. The Wi-Fi setup is simple, allowing for effortless version updates. The Raven arrived charged, eliminating the need for hours of charging before use.
Functionality: Supports up to -10 stops, suitable for most strobes. The Buff integration is excellent. For example, when I turn off a zone on the Raven, the strobe goes into standby, and vice versa. Four zones are enough for most things most of the time.
Power Track: Adjusts lights automatically when changing aperture or ISO settings, which will speed up my studio sessions.
SpeedCycle: Allows you to rapidly cycle through multiple flash units, firing them individually in sequence. This feature is particularly useful for fashion, lifestyle, and sports action photography, where quick, sequential firing is essential. I’ll use it for podium shots.
Remote triggering: Using two or more Raven triggers, or a combination of a Raven trigger with one or more PocketWizard Plus IIIe or PocketWizard Plus IVe receivers, enables long-range multi-camera triggering. The Master trigger provides feedback, ensuring that the Remote trigger is functioning correctly.
Additional Features: Remote modeling lights can automatically turn off/on to conserve batteries. The lock feature prevents accidental changes. TTL is accurate and repeatable with SB-5000 speedlights, and HSS is evenly lit. The Raven works well with Nikon’s FV Lock in TTL mode. A Sound trigger is also included – my MIOPS trigger has been sold. HS is easy and fast to optimize with non-IGBT strobes. And there’s more – I won’t list everything in this short review, that’s what the online manual is for.
Multi-Brand Compatibility: The Raven can control multiple brands (up to two at the same time), allowing seamless integration at rental studios using Godox or Profoto lights. Everywhere I go, my lights or their lights or both, same trigger.
Range and Reliability: The range is impressive, helping reliability. The RF Noise Indicator helps select the least noisy frequency.
Design: Designed and manufactured in the USA, the Raven boasts excellent build quality (as above) and embodies a futuristic and functional design.
In conclusion, the Raven has become my go-to trigger. It is faster and more intuitive than the CC, more feature-rich than the HUB app, completely reliable, and provides a universal gateway to rental strobes. We could say “One trigger to rule them all, One trigger to bring them all and in the lightness bind them”.
PS: no battery problems.
