PocktWizards Flex TT5 and 3 zones/lights off Camera

[dwdallam]

I can't find any PW TTf Flex instructions on how to use three zones A-B-C, all off camera.

Does anyone have any information?

[Ken Bennett]

You need the Zone Controller, which AFAIK is not quite released yet. Supposed to be out the end of this month.


http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_p...d=7-10040-10085

[dwdallam]

You need the Zone Controller, which AFAIK is not quite released yet. Supposed to be out the end of this month.


http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_p...d=7-10040-10085

So you're saying that you can only use two groups, A & B? If so, for what use is the C channel?

[Ken Bennett]

So you're saying that you can only use two groups, A & B? If so, for what use is the C channel?

No, I'm saying that right now I can't use any groups. The "groups" switch doesn't do anything.

Once the Zone Controller is released, it is supposed to allow use of all three zones, with independent control of TTL and manual output. I've been waiting for it for a year now.

[dwdallam]

No, I'm saying that right now I can't use any groups. The "groups" switch doesn't do anything.

Once the Zone Controller is released, it is supposed to allow use of all three zones, with independent control of TTL and manual output. I've been waiting for it for a year now.

That's what I experienced today. So if you want A&B ratio, you can still use the STE-2 on top of the TT5 or if you want to adjust all three zones, you have to wait for the controller. Or, you can adjust flash compensation manually for each flash.

In summary,

(1) A&B ratio, use the STE-2 on top of the Flex series
(2) A&B&C wait for the controller.
(3) A&B&C adjust manually on each flash.

Correct?

[Ken Bennett]

That sounds correct. I have never tried the ST-E2 on top of the Pocket Wizard. If there was ever one piece of gear that I wanted to chuck off the tallest building in town, that would be the ST-E2. Grrrrrr.

For now I shoot most all my speedlight setups with the flashes on Manual mode. I like consistent output from my lights. Old skool, I know, but then I'm just old.

The one situation where I have found TTL to work with the PWs is shooting location portraits using one flash on a TT5, shot through a 48-inch Tri Grip panel. This only works if I have an assistant (which is rare in my job), but it does work pretty well. I have the assistant hold a 430EXII with the TT5 unit about 2-3 feet from the Tri-Grip, and it provides a nice main light on the subject. Ambient light is used as fill. Works great outdoors. I control the output of the TTL flash using the Flash Exposure Compensation on the camera body (Canon 1D Mark IV.)

Can't wait for the Zone Controller.

[dwdallam]

That sounds correct. I have never tried the ST-E2 on top of the Pocket Wizard. If there was ever one piece of gear that I wanted to chuck off the tallest building in town, that would be the ST-E2. Grrrrrr.

For now I shoot most all my speedlight setups with the flashes on Manual mode. I like consistent output from my lights. Old skool, I know, but then I'm just old.

The one situation where I have found TTL to work with the PWs is shooting location portraits using one flash on a TT5, shot through a 48-inch Tri Grip panel. This only works if I have an assistant (which is rare in my job), but it does work pretty well. I have the assistant hold a 430EXII with the TT5 unit about 2-3 feet from the Tri-Grip, and it provides a nice main light on the subject. Ambient light is used as fill. Works great outdoors. I control the output of the TTL flash using the Flash Exposure Compensation on the camera body (Canon 1D Mark IV.)

Can't wait for the Zone Controller.

That's what I've figured out also. I think you can also use a 580 EX or 580 EXII on top of the flex on camera to control A&B--but Canon never did have the ability to control A,B,&C I don't think. I don't think you can, but I thought I would ask: Can you use FEC on camera when the flashes are in manual mode? I think that would be the next step. However, I've found extremely reliable and consistent results using TTL as a sort of manual. What I do is use FEL and EL and then recompose. Doing that while using on camera FEC and the shutter only gives me real consistency. It's almost like having the above--manual mode on the flash, and the ability to adjust it on camera. Of course the latter is the ideal set up.

(1) FEL
(2) EL
(3) EC on camera
(4) adjust shutter for ambient

In this way you can control the flash power by throttling the Comp on camera, and then control how the flash will look by adding or decreasing ambient light. does it sound like I've explained this clearly and accurately?

[Ken Bennett]

I think I am really the wrong person to talk with about this -- I have never been able to get good results using the Canon TTL system off-camera. I just shoot pretty much everything on Manual flash and Manual exposure mode. I was never able to master different zones and ratios and all that. Manual just works.

I am pretty sure that the A:B zones on the Canon flash (and ST-E2) are different from the A:B:C zones on the Pocket Wizards. That is, if you try setting a PW to zone "B" and then set your 580EXII on top of your transmitter to control two zones, A and B, it won't work that way. AFAIK right now the PW's ignore the a:b:c zone settings (the ones on the units themselves.)

If you are getting good results using a 580EXII as the Master unit, and using zones and all that, then I expect it would work the same way with the PW TTL units.

[dwdallam]

I think I am really the wrong person to talk with about this -- I have never been able to get good results using the Canon TTL system off-camera. I just shoot pretty much everything on Manual flash and Manual exposure mode. I was never able to master different zones and ratios and all that. Manual just works.

I am pretty sure that the A:B zones on the Canon flash (and ST-E2) are different from the A:B:C zones on the Pocket Wizards. That is, if you try setting a PW to zone "B" and then set your 580EXII on top of your transmitter to control two zones, A and B, it won't work that way. AFAIK right now the PW's ignore the a:b:c zone settings (the ones on the units themselves.)

If you are getting good results using a 580EXII as the Master unit, and using zones and all that, then I expect it would work the same way with the PW TTL units.

I was actually getting good results using the STE-2, but I hated the IR. It's almost useless outside over 30 feet and needs line of site. I got some really lousy results today off camera, one flash using the TTLs. That could have been me. I also got some really good results. I think the IQ of these things is damn phenomenal. Maybe we need to just get use to using the on camera FEL and FEC while leaving the camera in manual. That gave me the best results.  Using anything other than manual flash and a light meter has proven to be more holistic than technical for sure.

[ImplantImages]

From what I hear the Zone controller is available over here in the UK I'd imagine it's available in the USA also.

Nick

[dwdallam]

Naw, not here in North America yet. I'm checking it constantly. I can't wait for the Alien Bees AC9 too. Finally I can change the power on my ABs lights from the camera position.

Also, you can use the STE-2 on top of the Flex to control channels A:B. It works just like it does when using only the STE-2 in IR mode.  You just set the Flex modules to A or B and go for it. But for 70US, I will get the controller for sure. I just am almost pissing myself waiting for it. he he he.

I also can't wait for the AC9 for the ABs. I feel sorry for Buff after putting so much into his Cyber Commander, since the PW option allows all flashes to be used together in TTL or manual.

In any event, I can't wait for the AC3. Woo hoo. I've wanted this sort of on camera control forever. When I have 3+ lights setup around a car, etc, this is going to save me so much leg work and time  it's not even calculable.

I can't check this right now, but I think you can use FEC in camera w/o the AC3 controller to adjust the flash output of at least ONE channel from the camera. Anyone want to verify that? I'm moving right now and impossible for me to do.