Pocket Wizard question

I am thinking about getting some Pocket Wizards for my studio lights so I can reliably trigger them outdoors and around other camera flashes. I would need to put a receiver on each light and a transmitter on the camera. My plan was to simply use the Pocket Wizard Plus receivers and transmitter.

OK, here's the question... What is the Pocket Wizard MultiMax? I know it is a transmitter and receiver and it costs more. Is there any reason for me to consider the MultiMax? Thanks.

One advantage of using multiple MultiMaxes instead of PW Pluses is that you an set up each one that is in receive mode to one of four different zones. This allows you to trigger each zone individually or together in different combinations. This allows you to control which flash units the MultiMaxes are attached to are used for any given shot via the MultiMax transmitter on the camera.

And If you also have a Sekonic L-558 (maybe the L-358, too?) you can meter each flash separately by triggering only the zone of the flash you want to measure. After they're all metered and set, you can then set the L-558 to trigger all the flashes at once by enabling all the zones.

Can I do this with one MultiMax and four Plus receivers?

Unfortunately, no. They all have to be MultiMaxes or a unit which has the MultiMax module, like the Sekonic L-558.

The Multimaxes also have 32 channels rather than just 4 on the Plus versions. This can be useful if you are working alongside a number of other togs (5+) using PWs. You can all be certain that you are using different channels and not triggering each other's remotes/strobes.

The Multimaxes also allow the tog to set a delay time to account for shutter 'lag times' - this is useful if you are trying to trigger a remote camera and a set of strobes at the same time for example.

They have other features: intervalometer etc.

However, from the details you have provided RTMiller, it sounds like the Plus units will be perfectly OK - unless you want the flash metering options that Leo describes.

---- Gavin

Thanks guys. I appreciate your help.

I have the L-358 with the transmitter. If I use the PW Plus' that have four channels, can I individualy fire and meter each of my four lights?

I shall preface my answer by saying that I have never used a meter as a trigger - therefore I could be wrong.

As far as I know you can access the channels via the meter's software - and the meter-transmitter has the full range of 32 channels. The first 16 channels are original 'classic' channels. Assuming that channels 1-4 on the meter-transmitter are the same as channels 1-4 on the Plus devices, then you are good to go. You can set each of your 4 Plus receivers to a different channel, change the channels via the meter and fire off each flash individually. You can then set all the Plus devices to the same channel when you take your shot.

Obviously this is not as convenient as using Multimaxes. However, it may well be possible. I'm sure someone will be along to confirm/deny this shortly

EDIT: Reading the info on the Sekonic site seems to confirm that it IS possible: http://www.sekonic.com​/Products/L-358.html#

---- Gavin

PaceAce, you'll have to tell me how to trigger each zone on my 558 with the multimax. Because I don't seem to be able to .

Did you mean "how to trigger each MultiMax on different zones with the 558" because I'm not sure what you mean the way you phrased it? You don't trigger the 558 with the MultiMax. You trigger the MultiMax wth the 558.

I think you wrote that you can use the Sektronic to trigger individual zone.

Yes. See page 34 of your L-558 manual for details on how to set up the meter for triggering zones (referred to as subchannels in the L-558 manual).