p.3 #1 · Pocket Wizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 on the job
Seems more like issues with the 5DMkII, with which I have no experience.
I did have some weirdness personally with my 1D MkIII, giving me banding at 2 specific shutter speeds but no others. Turns out to have been a strangeness with setting the Camera Model to 1D MkIII. When set to Auto, everything works fine at all shutter speeds and f/stops.
RE: the Firmware Update
"Firmware release update: With the short week here and some last minute tweaks, we're holding the beta release until next week. We are testing the version we hope will be the beta right now. There will be some fireworks photo testing over the July 4th weekend, then we'll hopefully be posting it late Monday or Tuesday if it's working as expected."
Also, when using ratios with Canon ETTL it helps to keep this in mind.
You set the Max exposure of whatever Group has the Highest Ratio (let's say A:B = 4:1) with the FEC (flash exposure compensation).
So if you set an FEC of +2, then the A group will exposure for +2 and the B group will dial *down* to +0.
If you drop FEC to +0, then A will expose for +0 and B will expose for -2.
Even changing the ratio to 8:1, with an FEC of +3, you'll get A expsing for +3 and B exposing for +0.
In other words, you'll never get a brighter exposure by increasing the ratio. The ratio only serves to *reduce* the exposure of the group below what's dialed in via FEC.
p.3 #2 · Pocket Wizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 on the job
Sorry Kurt, but I'm having a hard time understanding what you said. Let me try to restate it in my words to see if I get it...
Without using any FEC... you set the ratio say to 2:1 A:B (or to whatever ratio gives the effect you want). That way your B flash will be at -1 for the exposure. IF your flash exposure isn't what you wanted, while keeping the same ratio between A and B, you use FEC to increase or decrease the overall flash exposure. Is that right?
And when you say to use FEC, do you suggest doing that on the flash (the A or master) or in the camera body?
It's disappointing that the new firmware is delayed, but since I'm picking up a new car in an hour, I guess I'll have enough to play with over the weekend anyway.
p.3 #4 · Pocket Wizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 on the job
K_Strecker wrote:
seems like you've got it.
I'm pretty convinced that 90% of the issues people are having with these units is based more on the misunderstanding of how/why they work. quote]
hi Kurt
very appreciate your info here and am happy for you, that your flex's are working fine.
but...I can't let stand the above - because it's just not true. if I test my flex's in a short range, follow all the instructions, and they hardly ever fire, it's not a misunderstanding. I tried together with another pro, very pw experienced, same results. And: if the 580's fire about every 3rd time, but the 550ex only about every 20th time or not at all - its probably not the user's problem. again: within the sub 15 feet range.
I have talked and met up with quite a few other 5dII owners and they had the same or similar issues.
In fact since the last firmware update, where we are no supposed 5dII as camera model, things got even worse.
after all this trouble I really have to calm down, when reading about misunderstanding - nothing personal with you though. appreciate your posts ...Show more →
p.3 #5 · Pocket Wizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 on the job
Your comment actually supports my point. the 550EX has zero RF noise. none. You'll get upwards of 400 feet of usable range out of it. So, there's something else at work there. Could just be simple 5DmkII incomparability which is to be addressed today or tomorrow via a beta-version firmware release. Could be some other simple oversight. Yesterday I was hurrying and couldn't figure out why my 580EX wasn't firing. I had switched it too far and landed on C group instead of B, and that's all it was.
And, even with that taken into consideration, you're still just a handful of people. you could all be having exactly the problems you're having and my statement could still stand true. Of course I can't prove it, I don't know how many Flex/Minis have sold and I don't know for a fact the proportions of people having success vs problems . . . There are a half dozen threads on flickr where I've helped people who were having the same problems, or worse, and we've arrived at a solution simply by setting them up properly or diagnosing the deeper issue.
Sorry for your troubles, but it doesn't matter how much experience one has with old pocket wizards, one can still make a mistake in the setup and use of these and one will probably be too quick to blame the system due to the internet buzz around their "problems"
p.3 #6 · Pocket Wizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 on the job
philllie1 wrote:
hi Kurt
very appreciate your info here and am happy for you, that your flex's are working fine.
but...I can't let stand the above - because it's just not true. if I test my flex's in a short range, follow all the instructions, and they hardly ever fire, it's not a misunderstanding. I tried together with another pro, very pw experienced, same results. And: if the 580's fire about every 3rd time, but the 550ex only about every 20th time or not at all - its probably not the user's problem. again: within the sub 15 feet range.
I have talked and met up with quite a few other 5dII owners and they had the same or similar issues.
In fact since the last firmware update, where we are no supposed 5dII as camera model, things got even worse.
after all this trouble I really have to calm down, when reading about misunderstanding - nothing personal with you though. appreciate your posts ...Show more →
I am not 100% satisfied yet either with these new PW's, but really the only problem I seem to be having with them is the documented issue with fast-aperture lenses and the 5DII which should (hopefully!!!) be solved with the next firmware.
As far as reliable firing goes, so far I haven't had ANY issues. The units have fired every time, even when everything is only feet apart or as far away as I usually work. (That's not far, and unless one day I have a special need, I'm quite happy with 25 to 50 feet.)
One of the things I did immediately upon getting my units (three FlexTT5's and two MiniTT1's) was to change the ControlTL Tx and Rx channels to #20. I could have been earlier in this very thread that I saw that suggestion. I don't know if that contributed to my success or not, but as I said, I have so far not had any problem with firing the units reliably.
I'm shooting with two 5DII's and in most of my use so far, I have had NO flash on the MiniTT1 on the camera - all flashes have been remote and on FlexTT5s. I have used a mix of my 580EXII, a 550EX and two 430EXII's. I did do some testing with a 580EXII on the camera (but not a lot) and that too seemed to work reliably.
I've also tested with several of my original PW's and PWII's, both as triggers and receivers (although then not in ETTL mode) and I was happy with that also.
The only thing I haven't tried yet is any of the high-speed sync stuff as I haven't needed it.
I sure hope you can figure out why your units are not working better.
p.3 #7 · Pocket Wizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 on the job
downloaded new firmware and tested with my 5dII. Some things have really improved. So much about being quick about blaming the system...
what works better:
-reliability in channel 1
-reliability with st-e2
Some things still don't work reliable for me (I only have the 5dII):
-because of range recommendations I also tried channel 20. But this unusable, erratic, some radios don't fire
-flash via OC-E3 Cord, with flex in camera-hoshoe: erratic; full-power flashes occasionally
Has anybody tested with a 5dII and made the same experiences?
(I know, most will probably say again, its not the system but my mistake, if channel 1 works much better than 20 )
while not perfect, and there is still a lot of room for improvement, at least the radios are now in a condition that I may start really using them. 2 months after I bought them.
So i do have to get to know a little more about ettl, here I have to be blamed and not the radios
I know the basics that were mentionned above. But am kind of looking for a good overview about some settings and what they cause, for example:
- if I set fec on-camera, does it oversteer the settings on the flash, and if yes, which ones (same/different zones) or how does it relate output...etc
p.3 #8 · Pocket Wizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 on the job
While it's odd that you're having more problems with Ch 20 than Ch1, I think that just illustrates the randomness of RF noise from the flashes.
Your flash may just have a slightly higher frequency of RF noise than those who are having luck with CH20. . . If your CH1 is working better than other channels for you that's all that matters. But, for fun it might be worth trying some middle channels to find your flash's own little sweet spot.
p.3 #9 · Pocket Wizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 on the job
philllie1 wrote:
... for example:
- if I set fec on-camera, does it oversteer the settings on the flash, and if yes, which ones (same/different zones) or how does it relate output...etc
But this is the kind of thing that is in the manuals. Not that the manuals are great, but they are a good start if you haven't already.
p.3 #10 · Pocket Wizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 on the job
K_Strecker wrote:
While it's odd that you're having more problems with Ch 20 than Ch1, I think that just illustrates the randomness of RF noise from the flashes.
Your flash may just have a slightly higher frequency of RF noise than those who are having luck with CH20. . . If your CH1 is working better than other channels for you that's all that matters. But, for fun it might be worth trying some middle channels to find your flash's own little sweet spot.
Hi again
yes, I was not clearly enough about this. Channel 1 works reliable in short range, but at around 50ft (outdoor) its usually over. (with an st-e2 even earlier at around 25-30ft).
therefore I wanted to try channel 20, which some of you suggested as best from their experience. but in channel 20 it becomes really strange While some flex work well, others hardly ever (or never) fire. (I only tested in sub 15ft range)
p.3 #11 · Pocket Wizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 on the job
cordellwillis wrote:
But this is the kind of thing that is in the manuals. Not that the manuals are great, but they are a good start if you haven't already.
then I have to check the manuals again, read during weekend and did not see something like that.
While I am aware, that this my job, maybe some more examples or explanation in the manuals would indeed be helpful.
p.3 #12 · Pocket Wizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 on the job
Out of my three FlexTT5's and two MiniTT1's, one FlexTT5 seems to be defective. No matter what I do, I can't get it to fire the flash attached to it. Before I try to get it exchanged, does anyone have anything to suggest?
I have reset it, updated the firmware, re-applied all the settings and tried all three channels (A, B & C), changed batteries, etc. My other units appear to be working just fine and I have them working in ratio ETTL mode (with a 580EXII on a MiniTT1 on my 5DII), and in ratio mode. I've swapped flashes as well, and no matter what, one unit just doesn't fire.
p.3 #13 · Pocket Wizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 on the job
K_Strecker wrote:
While it's odd that you're having more problems with Ch 20 than Ch1, I think that just illustrates the randomness of RF noise from the flashes.
Your flash may just have a slightly higher frequency of RF noise than those who are having luck with CH20. . . If your CH1 is working better than other channels for you that's all that matters. But, for fun it might be worth trying some middle channels to find your flash's own little sweet spot.
there may be two components at work here--rf from the flash and ambient rf activity depending on where you are and what devices are operating in the area.
p.3 #14 · Pocket Wizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 on the job
I have done more tests this week with the new firmware together with the 5dII
- standard configuration 1 works quite good now and much better than before indoors and in the short range. I would consider it usable now.
- other channels that I tested for a better range (with the 580ex II) are still giving me some headaches.
- have still to find the optimal setting for "hypersync offset". (black bands) Has anyone already found a perfect working setting for the 5dII?
- while I do have very consistant firing up to 1/250, at 1/320 I sometimes only get the pre-flash, and from 1/400 upwards I always only get the pre-flash.
(I tried speedlites in M and TTL mode). As far as I understood from the manual I don't have to do any settings at "hyper sinc speed (fp flash sync)disable mode" for theses ttl-speedlites. Or am I wrong?
Maybe Kurt or anyone who managed shots up to 1/8000 can help here?
p.3 #16 · Pocket Wizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 on the job
@Cphoto1954:
thanks for your hints.
-at that time, I would probably only need the propper setting for HyperSinc offset. I started at default of -170 and tried some others.
-yes I have the latest firmware (which improved work with my 5dII)
-I would be disappointed, if I had to sell my 580 and 580II and then buy 430II. my budget for this year is already gone with the flex
-what could be the problem, that I only get firing up to 1/320? (400th upwards not working)
p.3 #18 · Pocket Wizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 on the job
K_Strecker wrote:
1)You shouldn't be messing with Pocket Wizard's Hypersync offset when using canon speedlights.
2)Do you have one flash on the transmitter on-camera?
3)If you don't enable HSS on the flash or st-e2, your camera will behave accordingly.
4)FP flash disabled should *not* be checked if you're using canon speedlights.
Hi Kurt
thanks for your replies. They are very appreciated.
1)ok, I will set back to default. But how can I get rid of the black bands then? avoid exposure speeds affected?
2)no. flex only. All flashes are remote
3)I have tried with HSS enabled and disabled on the flash. In both cases I get the same results. Above 1/200th the symbol for hss is appearing in the camera-display and it works fine at 1/250 and 1/320. but at 1/400th and all exp.times above I only get a very weak pre-flash.
) 