cordellwillis wrote:
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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

phillie1 -

YES - Email me and I can send you my settings. I have NO issues with banding in HS all the way up to 1/8000.

You are correct that you need do not need to change any settings on the flash into HS Sync - just leave it as normal.

Of course I assume you have the latest fimware installed.

Changing over to a 430EXii Flash (-4/10 f less power) will remove any RF issues.

K_Strecker is 100% correct regarding RF - it is random and very unpredictable.

@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)

You shouldn't be messing with Pocket Wizard's Hypersync offset when using canon speedlights.

Do you have one flash on the transmitter on-camera?

If you don't enable HSS on the flash or st-e2, your camera will behave accordingly.

FP flash disabled should *not* be checked if you're using canon speedlights.

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.

4)yes, I have let this always disabled.

are you in full manual or Tv?

K_Strecker wrote:
are you in full manual or Tv?

I have only tried in full manual (second mode I usually use is av, Tv hardly ever)

is it related to the still-quirky aperture settings that are known to give the 5DII banding? The latest firmware's manual addendum mentions what they are.

do they still do it after a full, factory rest?

good hint, didn't think of that.
but I have done a factory reset and for the test i used 2 different 2.8 lenses @2.8 / 4. at these apertures the banding should not occur yet, at least after the description.

have you tried a 580EX as master straight on camera controlling the slave in standard Canon fashion? Just to make sure it's not a problem with something else.

tried this before, but only regarding one issue (banding, but not shutter speed).

-there is no banding in this setup

-just tested this (never thought of that, you are great): there seems indeed to be some issue related to shutter speed. but here it's worse than with the pw: I get consistant flash-output up to around 1/160th. above that, output weakens considerable, but not as much as with the pw. (compared to: up to 320th fine with pw, after that extreme falloff (like pre-flash).

Well, I am even more confused now.

that is odd. Does it happen when the flash is just on-camera and not master/slave?

I think you said you have 2 580s, if that's true what happens if you switch them (master becomes slave, slave becomes master)?

ok, did some more tests, borrowed 2 flashes from a friend (550,430) and inspected them more carefully than just before:

-tested 3 different flashes, all behave the same and correct: loss of about 1 stop when switch to hss; after that with every stop increase in shutter speed,
loss of another stop of flash power
(I was really a bit overhasty just before with my flash-only results (without pw) ... I am sorry for that)

after inspecting all again: without the pw as described just above. with the flex proper flash-output until up to 320; then a very dramatic drop-off of flash-output at 1/400 and above. (from well lit at 320 to nearly not existant at 400, i would say as pre-flash only). same with all 3 flash-types. same with the 5d (not mkII) of my friend

If they're in manual, then you'lll get that decrease in exposure at same power level as shutter speed goes up.

Don't know what else to try . . .

yes, i should get the power decrease, gradual, as without the flex. i get this between 200,250,320. but between 320 and 400 it's really between full-power and nearly zero

I will keep on trying.
but thanks a lot for all your help. very grateful. have a nice day.

philllie1

I had issues similar with the old firmware. It came down to the PW High Speed sync not working properly. This was fixed within a few weeks with thier new firmware.

I suggest you to try this:

#1. Make sure your have latest firmware installed.
#2. Reset all your settings as PW suggests by holding the reset button while turning it on for 10 sec.+ (4 blinks of green light). This should set everything back to default. Reference the settings I emailed you before but note possible exception below #3.
#3. Make sure your High Speed Sync on the PW is set to start out where your camera sync leaves off.
#4. Set your camera model in PW software - not to "Auto Camera"
#5. All flash units to Normal TTL (or E-TTL) and Master Flash ALWAYS. HSS set off.
#6. Try to get your 580 off the PW with a Canon Cord.

This should give you better chance of success. Wishing you the best!

@cphoto1954: thank you very much for your suggestions and trying to help. I hopefully will have the opportunity to try things out tommorrow.
1-3 already before, so will try 4-6

I have a 40d and the Mini on camera and a 580EXII on a Flex and find I get about 30 feet away before it becomes unreliable. I use channel 20. I bought some of the EMF Fabric that the one website said to try called VeilShield™. I bought one linear foot and it is plenty. It was also delivered 2 days after I ordered it.

I kept the 580exII on the flex hotshoe and wrapped 2 layers of the VeilShield around it and used a rubber band to hold it in place. The range immediately doubled to around 60 feet. I have a off camera cord ordered and on the way and a ferite choke to put on it and I have a feeling that all will be good then. so for $22 for the fabric, $5 for the choke at Radioshack, and $30 for a cable I should be golden.

The plan is to sew the fabric into 2 "socks" that will cover the entire flash unit and being in 2 pieces will still allow me to swivel and direct the head anyway I want while still filtering the RF noise from the flash.

I know the arguement will be that you shouldn't need to do all of this but the fact of the matter is that if you want ETTL and the widespread use of pocket wizard compatiblity then your options are to spend the extra $55, not use ETTL, or buy something else.