Pocket Wizard Question

Hi all, I have been interested in buying Pocket Wizards for years, with them being so expensive I have been using Yongnuo 602's(very happy, but feel I am ready for an upgrade), anyway I am now interested in purchasing a pair, but I have just 1 question first.............

If I have 1 MiniTT1 on camera, and a FlexTT5 on a 580exII, is it possible for me to have the 580exII trigger 1 or even 2 other 580's that do not have pocket wizards on them?? (knowing I would have line of sight between them). Bascially is there a setting I can use on the 580exII with the Flex attached in master mode, and when the MiniTT1 triggers it, it will also set off other 580exII's that are in slave mode??

I hope my question is not too complicated, thanks for everyones help in advance, I appreciate it as always

Quick answer = Yes

This happens leaving the first 580ex II in Master mode - default setting
All subsequent flashguns such as the other 580exII's and 430ex's MUST be set to 'Slave' mode.

This way 1 set of PW triggers activate multiple flashguns.

When you are ready you can then pick up additional PW's for complete flashgun control firing as separate groups and all sorts of other clever stuff.
Should you get hold of a Sekonic light meter in the future, you can then trigger all these flashes and instantly measure the output and then make those respective on-camera adjustments all on-the-fly. Look out for the 358 and 758DR...

It's now a new world out there!

There are some issues when you choose to rely on the 1 set of PW's firing-off multiple 580's - I am sure others will chime in to explain this more articulately.

Dustman wrote in post #13348354
Hi all, I have been interested in buying Pocket Wizards for years, with them being so expensive I have been using Yongnuo 602's(very happy, but feel I am ready for an upgrade), anyway I am now interested in purchasing a pair, but I have just 1 question first.............

If I have 1 MiniTT1 on camera, and a FlexTT5 on a 580exII, is it possible for me to have the 580exII trigger 1 or even 2 other 580's that do not have pocket wizards on them?? (knowing I would have line of sight between them). Bascially is there a setting I can use on the 580exII with the Flex attached in master mode, and when the MiniTT1 triggers it, it will also set off other 580exII's that are in slave mode??

I hope my question is not too complicated, thanks for everyones help in advance, I appreciate it as always

Not if you want to retain E-TTL mode using the PW units. However, if you switch the PW units to Basic Triggering mode so that they operate as regular "dumb" remote units, then yes, you can as indicated by the Cham_001. But the flashes have to be in manual mode also.

Thank you both for your awnsers, I appreciate it. Having them in manuel is fine. I plan on using the AC3 with my key light, and will adjust my fill & accent lights manuelly, but trigger them with the 580ex that is the key.....until I purchase 2 more FlexTT5's. Thanks again

Dustman wrote in post #13355578
Thank you both for your awnsers, I appreciate it. Having them in manuel is fine. I plan on using the AC3 with my key light, and will adjust my fill & accent lights manuelly, but trigger them with the 580ex that is the key.....until I purchase 2 more FlexTT5's. Thanks again

Well, no, that's not going to work! If you are going to use the AC3, then that means that the FlexTT5 units will need to be in ControlTL (E-TTL) mode, not Basic Triggering mode. In ControlTL mode, your remote flash will need to be set to normal operating mode and can't be set to Master mode. As I said previously, you can only trigger a master flash if the FlexTT5 is in Basic Triggering mode.

PacAce wrote in post #13355749
Well, no, that's not going to work! If you are going to use the AC3, then that means that the FlexTT5 units will need to be in ControlTL (E-TTL) mode, not Basic Triggering mode. In ControlTL mode, your remote flash will need to be set to normal operating mode and can't be set to Master mode. As I said previously, you can only trigger a master flash if the FlexTT5 is in Basic Triggering mode.

Oh Wow, I then should have defintley mention the AC3 use in my original post....obviously. Thats why I ask these questions before purchasing. I did not think the AC3 would make a difference. Thank you so much for your insight, very very helpful!!

I will purchase 1 pair of pocket wizards & an AC3 now for when using a one light set up, as it will make things easier to adjust the power on it, then keep going back & forth, raising & lowering the light. I will save for more recievers until funds are suffifient

Cham_001 wrote in post #13349788
Quick answer = Yes

This happens leaving the first 580ex II in Master mode - default setting
All subsequent flashguns such as the other 580exII's and 430ex's MUST be set to 'Slave' mode.

This way 1 set of PW triggers activate multiple flashguns.

When you are ready you can then pick up additional PW's for complete flashgun control firing as separate groups and all sorts of other clever stuff.
Should you get hold of a Sekonic light meter in the future, you can then trigger all these flashes and instantly measure the output and then make those respective on-camera adjustments all on-the-fly. Look out for the 358 and 758DR...

It's now a new world out there!

There are some issues when you choose to rely on the 1 set of PW's firing-off multiple 580's - I am sure others will chime in to explain this more articulately.

I don't understand. How do you trigger your flashes when using mini/flex from Seikonic meters?

Same thing when using mini/flex/ac3 how do you use flashes using canon wireless at the same time?

Dustman wrote in post #13366038
Oh Wow, I then should have defintley mention the AC3 use in my original post....obviously. Thats why I ask these questions before purchasing. I did not think the AC3 would make a difference. Thank you so much for your insight, very very helpful!!

I will purchase 1 pair of pocket wizards & an AC3 now for when using a one light set up, as it will make things easier to adjust the power on it, then keep going back & forth, raising & lowering the light. I will save for more recievers until funds are suffifient

I'm just curious, what camera are you using?

Grumpy_one wrote in post #13366309
I'm just curious, what camera are you using?

For this, my portraiture, I am using a 5D Mark II, my workhorse, but I also have & use a 60D for Personal Use, 2nd Body when doing Events, for extra reach when shooting Wildlife or Sports, Back Up if my 5D fails on a job

bobbyz wrote in post #13366071
I don't understand. How do you trigger your flashes when using mini/flex from Seikonic meters?

Same thing when using mini/flex/ac3 how do you use flashes using canon wireless at the same time?

Hi Bobbyz,

A. > The Pocket Wizard radio transceivers run on a designated frequency
B. > The Sekonic L-758DR has a built-in compatible radio card.

There is a 'process' to go through to get this to successfully work.
It is easily done and there are Videos, tutorials and the 'dreaded manual' that explains this.

Computer tethered to the PW Flex TT5 (do this for all your devices)
1.> Use the PW software application to set say Channel 1 on all your PW transceivers to Channel 32 using the provided USB cable.
2.> Leave Channel 2 as it is. (this allows the PW's to work without using the Sekonic when you need a simple and immediate setup).
(there are more things to consider - so this a brief overview).
3.> Disconnect the PW's once you have successfully set the parameters.
4.> Attach these PW Flex TT5's to, say your Canon 580exII's and your camera.
5.> Switch On - and set all PW Flex TT5's to Channel 1.

Canon 580exII flashgun settings
1.> Switch On
2.> Choose E-TTL mode - for example

Sekonic light meter settings:
1.> Ensure that 'Wireless Flash' mode is selected - 4th Icon
(Not daylight, Not Flash, Not Flash Cabled)
2.> Press and Hold the MODE button and ensure Channel 32 appears.

Now your PW Flex's are set to the same frequency channel as the Sekonic light meter. Simply, trigger the Light Meter reading button and this will automatically send the frequency to trigger the PW's attached to your Canon flashguns that are off-camera. These will fire simultaneously!

It seems more complicated than it really is. There is one important thing to note: When using the PW software application - you MUST "uncheck a certain checkbox."

Good luck - there are other Posts/Resources that have the complete information - this was just a quick overview in answer to your question.

Cham_001 wrote in post #13367194
Hi Bobbyz,

A. > The Pocket Wizard radio transceivers run on a designated frequency
B. > The Sekonic L-758DR has a built-in compatible radio card.

There is a 'process' to go through to get this to successfully work.
It is easily done and there are Videos, tutorials and the 'dreaded manual' that explains this.

Computer tethered to the PW Flex TT5 (do this for all your devices)
1.> Use the PW software application to set say Channel 1 on all your PW transceivers to Channel 32 using the provided USB cable.
2.> Leave Channel 2 as it is. (this allows the PW's to work without using the Sekonic when you need a simple and immediate setup).
(there are more things to consider - so this a brief overview).
3.> Disconnect the PW's once you have successfully set the parameters.
4.> Attach these PW Flex TT5's to, say your Canon 580exII's and your camera.
5.> Switch On - and set all PW Flex TT5's to Channel 1.

Canon 580exII flashgun settings
1.> Switch On
2.> Choose E-TTL mode - for example

Sekonic light meter settings:
1.> Ensure that 'Wireless Flash' mode is selected - 4th Icon
(Not daylight, Not Flash, Not Flash Cabled)
2.> Press and Hold the MODE button and ensure Channel 32 appears.

Now your PW Flex's are set to the same frequency channel as the Sekonic light meter. Simply, trigger the Light Meter reading button and this will automatically send the frequency to trigger the PW's attached to your Canon flashguns that are off-camera. These will fire simultaneously!

It seems more complicated than it really is. There is one important thing to note: When using the PW software application - you MUST "uncheck a certain checkbox."

Good luck - there are other Posts/Resources that have the complete information - this was just a quick overview in answer to your question.

Unfortunately, it's not as simple as outlined above. If the flash is set to E-TTL mode, then that means that the camera is the one that sets the exposure after a preflash has been fired. If that's the case, then what is the purpose of using the light meter since triggering a flash that is set to E-TTL mode will not give you any useful information.

Also, the Sekonic light meter uses one of the Standard channels to communicate with PW units. If a flash mounted on a FlexTT5 is set to E-TTL mode, that means that the FlexTT5 units will need to be set to one of the ControlTL channels, otherwise, E-TTL would not work. If the FlexTT5 is using a ControlTL channel, then that means that a Sekonic light meter will not be able to trigger it.

These inconsistencies are what Bobby was trying to point out indirectly with his questions.

See if this might work:

TT1 with AC3 triggering TT5 with 580EXII on top. TT5's mini out triggers the YN602s, which are connected to the two other lights in manual mode.

TheBurningCrown wrote in post #13371110
See if this might work:

TT1 with AC3 triggering TT5 with 580EXII on top. TT5's mini out triggers the YN602s, which are connected to the two other lights in manual mode.

If I can mix the pocket wizards with my 602's, that would be perfect....for now. Anyone know of that def works? Plug the 602 transmitter in the TT5 or even the TT1 to trigger additional lights?? Thank you all again for your help & ideas!!

Dustman wrote in post #13375248
If I can mix the pocket wizards with my 602's, that would be perfect....for now. Anyone know of that def works? Plug the 602 transmitter in the TT5 or even the TT1 to trigger additional lights?? Thank you all again for your help & ideas!!

I'm not sure if it will work, as the one issue might be having the TT5 trigger the hotshoe and the mini-out. But otherwise I don't see any interference problems.

That being said, I think you should stay away from the PocketWizard triggers anyways.

TheBurningCrown wrote in post #13376346
I'm not sure if it will work, as the one issue might be having the TT5 trigger the hotshoe and the mini-out. But otherwise I don't see any interference problems.

That being said, I think you should stay away from the PocketWizard triggers anyways.

Thank you for your input & help sir, but just wondering why you said that last part, I have heard great things about them, and everyone says they are the highest standard in radio triggers. The AC3 is what is really spiking my attention, being able to control the output of my flashes in manuel without going over to a light, lowering & raising it again sounds like a treat. Just curious why you recommend me stay away from them? Thanks