Pocket Wizards and 550EX

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Archive 2006 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

jeffzoet
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p.1 #1 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

I have 2 Pocket Wizard Plus II transceivers that I use with my Alien Bees. I have been wanting to use my 550EX flash occasionally when on location, but am not sure how to get it to fire remotely.

Is there any way to hook up the Pocket Wiard to it? I don't want to go buy the Canon ST-E2 transmitter for $200 if I don't have to. Any suggestions?

Dec 12, 2006 at 03:48 PM

Tim Kirkwood
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p.1 #2 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

Link was not working so I took it out, but search bhphotovideo.com for PC to Hot shoe should get 11 results.

Tim

Dec 12, 2006 at 04:03 PM

jeffzoet
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p.1 #3 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

I bought one of those hotshoe to PC adapters, but it wasn't working for me. Hmmm... I wonder if I'm doing something wrong, or if it just doesn't work.

Dec 12, 2006 at 04:59 PM

bka20d
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p.1 #4 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

try paramount cords..
http://www.paramountcords.com/
you want a PW-MHSF1
regards

Dec 12, 2006 at 05:04 PM

Paratima
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p.1 #5 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

bka20d, above, is correct. I have this Paramount cord and it works just fine. No feedback, as with the ST-E2, so you can't do ETTL. Manual only.

Dec 12, 2006 at 05:22 PM

jeffzoet
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p.1 #6 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

Thanks guys. I'll give it a go.

Dec 12, 2006 at 06:05 PM

cgardner
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p.1 #7 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

jeffzoet wrote:
I bought one of those hotshoe to PC adapters, but it wasn't working for me. Hmmm... I wonder if I'm doing something wrong, or if it just doesn't work.

To connect the 550ex to the PW you need a hotshoe-to-mini phone connector not hotshoe-to-PC

Then you need to turn the off/master/slave switch to "off" because its not acting as a Canon slave and press the mode button for 2 sec to put it "dumb" manual mode. Then dial in the power level needed.

Dec 12, 2006 at 06:09 PM

jamesf99
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p.1 #8 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

cgardner wrote:
To connect the 550ex to the PW you need a hotshoe-to-mini phone connector not hotshoe-to-PC

Then you need to turn the off/master/slave switch to "off" because its not acting as a Canon slave and press the mode button for 2 sec to put it "dumb" manual mode. Then dial in the power level needed.

Is that the same connector you'd use with a 580ex too?

Dec 13, 2006 at 11:39 PM

PShizzy
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p.1 #9 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

just get a hotshoe to pc and pc to mini to make it work, or get a hotshoe to mini. I like having 2 pieces, in case i need to adapt any pc to mini quickly.

Max

Dec 14, 2006 at 03:05 AM

SWRToad
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p.1 #10 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

bka20d wrote:
try paramount cords..
http://www.paramountcords.com/
you want a PW-MHSF1
regards

Im confused, does this model PW-MHSF1 come standard with the threads on the Hotshoe to mount to a stand (like what Pshizzy posted), or do you have to add to the order?

Dec 14, 2006 at 04:18 AM

_WHAT_
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p.1 #11 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

Any one got some links to shops in europe dealing stuff like this looks like a good solution.

Dec 14, 2006 at 12:16 PM

jamesf99
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p.1 #12 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

PShizzy wrote:

just get a hotshoe to pc and pc to mini to make it work, or get a hotshoe to mini. I like having 2 pieces, in case i need to adapt any pc to mini quickly.

Max

Can you recommend where to get these?

Dec 14, 2006 at 01:38 PM

prof_fate
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p.1 #13 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=89982&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

hama makes one and there is another there - these are under $20

Dec 14, 2006 at 02:32 PM

Thats Fresh
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p.1 #14 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

cgardner wrote:
jeffzoet wrote:
I bought one of those hotshoe to PC adapters, but it wasn't working for me. Hmmm... I wonder if I'm doing something wrong, or if it just doesn't work.

To connect the 550ex to the PW you need a hotshoe-to-mini phone connector not hotshoe-to-PC

Then you need to turn the off/master/slave switch to "off" because its not acting as a Canon slave and press the mode button for 2 sec to put it "dumb" manual mode. Then dial in the power level needed.

its still not firing for me. ive tried all settings on the PW and 580ex. i also tried putting the mini jack in different jacks on top of the PW... any idea?

Dec 14, 2006 at 08:57 PM

Thats Fresh
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p.1 #15 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

or should i ask, whats the correct setting for all three pieces (PW on camera/PW flash/580ex)

Dec 14, 2006 at 08:58 PM

Thats Fresh
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p.1 #16 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

? anyone?

Dec 16, 2006 at 02:48 PM

cgardner
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p.1 #17 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

Thats Fresh wrote:
or should i ask, whats the correct setting for all three pieces (PW on camera/PW flash/580ex)

Put 580ex in M mode and wireless switch at "off" and put in the the hot shoe extender
Plug the mini-plug from hot shoe extender into the "flash" socket on top of the PW receiver
Make sure the PW transmitter and receiver are on the same channel

If it doesn't work press check the PW status lights to see whether or not the receiver is getting the signal. If the receiver is getting the signal then the problem may be the mini-plug. I've read that PW can be finicky regarding the plug shape.

What kind of hot shoe extender are you using?

Dec 16, 2006 at 05:00 PM

RyanFlynn
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p.1 #18 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

I'm having issues getting my 580/PW II setup to work, too. I have the Paramount hotshoe-miniphone sync cord, and everything set up, the second PWII is getting the signal, but the flash won't fire.

Any ideas? Flash works fine with an ST-E2.

Edit: Haha, I'm an idiot. You really have to shove the 580 onto the Paramount hotshoe adapter to get it to work. Now it fires!

Dec 19, 2006 at 06:57 AM

Thats Fresh
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p.1 #19 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

ive tried that^

also les has been emailing and suggesting to tape all pins bt the center one on the flash. it still doesnt work. arghh.

Dec 19, 2006 at 07:24 PM

ScottSchupbach
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p.1 #20 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

jamesf99 wrote:
cgardner wrote:
To connect the 550ex to the PW you need a hotshoe-to-mini phone connector not hotshoe-to-PC

Then you need to turn the off/master/slave switch to "off" because its not acting as a Canon slave and press the mode button for 2 sec to put it "dumb" manual mode. Then dial in the power level needed.

Is that the same connector you'd use with a 580ex too?

Yes it is.

Dec 20, 2006 at 02:09 AM

JasonL
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p.1 #21 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

PShizzy wrote:

just get a hotshoe to pc and pc to mini to make it work, or get a hotshoe to mini. I like having 2 pieces, in case i need to adapt any pc to mini quickly.

Max

Cheaper than buying the Paramount cables too.

Dec 20, 2006 at 03:35 AM

Gary Knapp
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p.1 #22 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

I use Pocket Wizards with 550ex flashes remotely on tripods. Two adapters for tripod (Bogen) mount, (Wein Safe-Sync Hot shoe Mount Volt High H-Sync, B&H part WESSHSH) and (Canon OA-2 Adapter B&H part CAOCSAOA2) from the Wein onto the tripod head. A PC to Mini cable from the OA-2 to the Pocket Wizard. Works like a dream!

Gary

Dec 20, 2006 at 04:15 AM

Gary Knapp
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p.1 #23 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

Correction, (happy fingers) the pc to mini cable connects the Pocket Wizard to the Wein adapter, which mounts on the Canon OA-2, which mounts onto the Bogen tripod. I use Sigma & Canon flash units outdoors this way and IT IS "a dream"!

Gary

Dec 20, 2006 at 04:29 AM

Gary Harfield
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p.1 #24 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

Paratima wrote:
bka20d, above, is correct. I have this Paramount cord and it works just fine. No feedback, as with the ST-E2, so you can't do ETTL. Manual only.

Wrong, Wireless E-TTL control is done via light waves; on the ST-E2, they're emitted through the red filter and on the 580ex thru the flash.

Dec 20, 2006 at 05:32 AM

brian_chemist
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p.1 #25 · Pocket Wizards and 550EX

Now if we could figure out a way to get the ST-E2 to fire studio strobes, we'd be in business! haha.

Dec 27, 2006 at 01:14 PM


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