I was just given 2 brand new pocket wizards -- questions

A friend of mine runs a Junking company, and found 2 brand new pocket wizards that the person was just throwing out, so he grabbed them for me. They were still sealed, but not in their original boxes or with instructions. One is a mini TT1 transmitter, and one is a FLEX TT5 Transceiver. It is my understanding that each of these units can control multiple flashes from a great distance away. I'm not sure what the difference is between the two other than the size. Here are my questions:

1. Are these compatable with the flashes I have -- a 580 EXII and a 430 EXII?
2. Can I use these to trigger one flash on my camera, and one flash far away at the same time?
3. If YES, does it matter which flash goes where?
4. Is it worth keeping both of these items? How do they work together, or do they?


Thanks in advance for your help.

Definitely keep them: they're premium items. It's not every day that someone gives you over $400 worth of equipment.

Here's your reference: http://wiki.pocketwiza​rd.com …title=MiniTT1_a​nd_FlexTT5.

Yes they are compatible with your flashes, although the 580 will be a bit finicky with them, but there are workarounds for that.

Alveric wrote in post #17882000
Yes they are compatible with your flashes, although the 580 will be a bit finicky with them, but there are workarounds for that.

Thanks! Can you expand on this? What flashes work better?

Coppatop85 wrote in post #17881957
A friend of mine runs a Junking company, and found 2 brand new pocket wizards that the person was just throwing out, so he grabbed them for me. They were still sealed, but not in their original boxes or with instructions. One is a mini TT1 transmitter, and one is a FLEX TT5 Transceiver. It is my understanding that each of these units can control multiple flashes from a great distance away. I'm not sure what the difference is between the two other than the size. Here are my questions:

1. Are these compatable with the flashes I have -- a 580 EXII and a 430 EXII?
2. Can I use these to trigger one flash on my camera, and one flash far away at the same time?
3. If YES, does it matter which flash goes where?
4. Is it worth keeping both of these items? How do they work together, or do they?


Thanks in advance for your help.

1. yes for the 430EXII and a conditional yes for the 580EXII:

580EX II
Full feature compatibility.
Range limited due to RF interference from flash only when connected to a remote FlexTT5. See Long Range Performance.
Not range limited when used on a transmitting radio.

430EX II
Full feature compatibility.
Excellent range performance with this flash.

2. yes
3. no, but keep in mind to switch on the flash first then the PocketWizard (TT1) and then the camera. You then the first pictures is a calibration shot. The flash will not fire but from the second picture an on the flash will fire.
4. I have them now for years and I still prefer them and if you like them then have a look at the AC3 for easier control.

If you follow the link by Alveric you find all the information you need about them and more.

mmmfotografie wrote in post #17882126
1. yes for the 430EXII and a conditional yes for the 580EXII:

580EX II
Full feature compatibility.
Range limited due to RF interference from flash only when connected to a remote FlexTT5. See Long Range Performance.
Not range limited when used on a transmitting radio.

430EX II
Full feature compatibility.
Excellent range performance with this flash.

2. yes
3. no, but keep in mind to switch on the flash first then the PocketWizard (TT1) and then the camera. You then the first pictures is a calibration shot. The flash will not fire but from the second picture an on the flash will fire.
4. I have them now for years and I still prefer them and if you like them then have a look at the AC3 for easier control.

If you follow the link by Alveric you find all the information you need about them and more.

Thank you again! It looks like if I put the 580EX II on my body with the Mini TT1 Transmitier, I can put the 430 EXII elsewhere attached to flex TT5 Transmitter the and have a ton of range with that, since it receives better.

I don't think it makes a big difference where you mount the "jammer" flash.

I noticed that made a spelling error in the word "website" in your signature here.

I know it's a "silly" question, but has it been established that the TT1 and TT5 are Canon versions and not Nikon?

mmmfotografie wrote in post #17882735
I noticed that made a spelling error in the word "website" in your signature here.

It's intentional

https://xkcd.com/148/

That is nice, however as not native English speaking person you can get confused by these alternative writing, if those words have a meaning in my own language.

To me a "wobsite" is a site where I can control/harness the government or other official bodies.

Coppatop85 wrote in post #17881957
A friend of mine runs a Junking company, and found 2 brand new pocket wizards that the person was just throwing out, so he grabbed them for me. They were still sealed, but not in their original boxes or with instructions. One is a mini TT1 transmitter, and one is a FLEX TT5 Transceiver. It is my understanding that each of these units can control multiple flashes from a great distance away. I'm not sure what the difference is between the two other than the size. Here are my questions:

1. Are these compatable with the flashes I have -- a 580 EXII and a 430 EXII?
2. Can I use these to trigger one flash on my camera, and one flash far away at the same time?
3. If YES, does it matter which flash goes where?
4. Is it worth keeping both of these items? How do they work together, or do they?


Thanks in advance for your help.

I had the whole system; 2 flex, 1 mini, and 1 ac3. When it all worked, it was money. When it didnt work it was hell. And, sadly, it was way more hell than money. It was so inconsistent, that I went back to using the canon line of site, and OCF cables. Then I got some "cheapo yn622 triggers, and short of swapping out batteries, no problems except for the ones I created myself. I say sell them, They are really more trouble than they are worth; even for free.

If youre inclined to keep them, then:

1. 430exii, yes, 580exii, not so much
2. the mini is the trigger, and the flex sends or recieves
3. use the mini on the camera hotshoe, and trigger the flex
4. see my answer above.

usdm wrote in post #17886597
I had the whole system; 2 flex, 1 mini, and 1 ac3. When it all worked, it was money. When it didnt work it was hell. And, sadly, it was way more hell than money. It was so inconsistent, that I went back to using the canon line of site, and OCF cables. Then I got some "cheapo yn622 triggers, and short of swapping out batteries, no problems except for the ones I created myself. I say sell them, They are really more trouble than they are worth; even for free.

If youre inclined to keep them, then:

1. 430exii, yes, 580exii, not so much
2. the mini is the trigger, and the flex sends or recieves
3. use the mini on the camera hotshoe, and trigger the flex
4. see my answer above.

Indeed the Canon 580EX II is really bad. I always compare it, with like talking to the wife when your twin babies are screaming their lungs out sitting in your arms.