Syncing PW Flex TT5 with L-358 Module?

[Rick Anderson]

I can't seem to figure out how to sync my L-358 module so that it will trigger my Flex TT5s. The Sekonic instruction manual is in Klingon. I know it is simple but I'm ready to toss everything in the fireplace. Any help would be great. Thanks.

[PacAce]

I can't seem to figure out how to sync my L-358 module so that it will trigger my Flex TT5s. The Sekonic instruction manual is in Klingon. I know it is simple but I'm ready to toss everything in the fireplace. Any help would be great. Thanks.

You need to either "teach" the TT5 to receive on whatever channel the L-358 module is transmitting on or use the PW Utility to do that. Unfortunately, you cannot use the Sekonic meter itself to teach the TT5 so you have to either use a Plus II or a MultiMax, or use the PW utility. I would personally use the utility.

By default, the TT5 only receives on ControlTL channel 1 so you wouldn't be able to set up the Sekonic, which transmits on the Standard Channels, to trigger the TT5 without teaching the TT5.

[1danny]

set it on config 2.

turn off control tl, set the control rx to channel 2, so they are all on the channel 2, then on the sekonic set your channel to 2. you should be able to trigger now.

[alphonsis]

yeah, control TL is probably is what is messing you up. I have a C1 set with control TL off to use with the pw module, and C2 with control TL on when i'm just e-ttl ing with no need to light meter.

[Palladium]

I can't seem to figure out how to sync my L-358 module so that it will trigger my Flex TT5s. The Sekonic instruction manual is in Klingon. I know it is simple but I'm ready to toss everything in the fireplace. Any help would be great. Thanks.

Using the meter won't really help you make settings if your PW are set to TTL.

[SkipD]

Using the meter won't really help you make settings if your PW are set to TTL.That's an extremely good point.

A handheld light meter does absolutely nothing for you if you're using a flash system controlled by ETTL. The meter would be fooled by the pre-flash and would not even read the main flash burst. You cannot set the level of the flash output when using ETTL, as it's automatically controlled based on analysis of the pre-flash.

[PacAce]

Using the meter won't really help you make settings if your PW are set to TTL.

That's an extremely good point.

A handheld light meter does absolutely nothing for you if you're using a flash system controlled by ETTL. The meter would be fooled by the pre-flash and would not even read the main flash burst. You cannot set the level of the flash output when using ETTL, as it's automatically controlled based on analysis of the pre-flash.

True if the FlexTT5 is in E-TTL mode but it doesn't have to be. It can be used to trigger strobes and flashes in manual mode as well.

[Rick Anderson]

I still can't figure it out. I am not able to get the chanel set on the L-358.

[PacAce]

I still can't figure it out. I am not able to get the chanel set on the L-358.

Did you follow the instructions in page 28 of your L-358 manual? Setting the channel on the Sekonic is pretty straightforward. What step are you having difficulty with?

[Palladium]

I still can't figure it out. I am not able to get the chanel set on the L-358.

your answer is in this thread - but as it was already pointed out in this thread you cannot really use your Sekonic to set up the TTL output of your flashes.

If you want to meter to set up a shot in manual they your answer is in this thread

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=700543&highlight=flex+sekonic

[PacAce]

your answer is in this thread - but as it was already pointed out in this thread you cannot really use your Sekonic to set up the TTL output of your flashes.

If you want to meter to set up a shot in manual they your answer is in this thread

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=700543&highlight=flex+sekonic

Why are you assuming that the OP is using the FlexTT5 in E-TTL mode? I didn't see anywhere in the thread where he said that he was doing that?

[Rick Anderson]

I can't get the meter set to fire anything - even my PWIIs. I just can't figure out how to set the channels to match.

[PacAce]

I can't get the meter set to fire anything - even my PWIIs. I just can't figure out how to set the channels to match.

What channel did you set the Sekonic to? Obviously, if you're trying to trigger PW Plus II units, your only choices are channels 1 through 4. For the FlexTT5, you can use any any channel available on the Sekonic but your FlexTT5 needs to be set to receive on the Standard Channel and set to the same channel as the Sekonic. By default, the FlexTT5 receives on the ControlTL channel.

[Palladium]

Why are you assuming that the OP is using the FlexTT5 in E-TTL mode? I didn't see anywhere in the thread where he said that he was doing that?

With all due respect - IMO, the reason to currently get the new PW's is because of the TTL feature.

[PacAce]

With all due respect - IMO, the reason to currently get the new PW's is because of the TTL feature.

WIth due respect, that is not the reason I got my FlexTT5 units. ;)

[Palladium]

I can't get the meter set to fire anything - even my PWIIs. I just can't figure out how to set the channels to match.

Start at the begining - put you Plus on channel 1

It's a little tricky to change the channels on the 358 - Do a google search, I remember a good tutorial about the proper way to change the channel on the meter.

Check out the 5th post in this Flickr group discussion

http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/discuss/72157606197853921/

[Rick Anderson]

OK, I got the PWIIs to fire with the light meter and I also got the Mini to fire the Flex TT5s and PWIIs at the same time BUT I still can't get the light meter to fire the TT5s.

I am using the setup primarily with my Vivitars so TTL is not needed except for the rare occasion in which I use my Canon 580 II Speedlights. I prefer manual operation and should have stayed with all PWIIs.

[PacAce]

OK, I got the PWIIs to fire with the light meter and I also got the Mini to fire the Flex TT5s and PWIIs at the same time BUT I still can't get the light meter to fire the TT5s.

I am using the setup primarily with my Vivitars so TTL is not needed except for the rare occasion in which I use my Canon 580 II Speedlights. I prefer manual operation and should have stayed with all PWIIs.

You have two choices:

1) Use the PWII to teach the FlexTT5 to receive in the Standard Channel rather than the ControlTL channel, or

2) Plug the FlexTT5 to your computer and use the Pocket Wizard utility to program the FlexTT5 to receive in the Standard Channel (see attached screenshot below). Don't forget to click on the "Set Both Configs" button to save the changes.

As I said in one of my earlier posts, the FlexTT5 can only receive in the Standard Channel or the ControlTL channel, but not both. And by default, it receives in the ControlTL channel so the PW Plus II and the meter won't be able to trigger the FlexTT5 because they use the Standard Channels.

411976

[Rick Anderson]

OK, that splains it. :)

Thanks - I'm going to go home and try it out right now!