Flashpoint R2 TTL Transmitter and Receiver for Canon and 1DIV

So....

I purchased a transmitter and receiver from Adorama. They arrived today, so I commenced to testing.

What I normally do:

Right now, I use a YN-622C-TX and YN-622C's to trigger a combination of speedlights (TTL or manual in HSS), a Mettle AD600, and two Rovelights, while shooting roller derby. I'm eventually going to move to all Rovelights, I think. But, anyway....

I set these up on the second level, and aim them to cover the track. Everything fires in HSS/SS. The problem with the YN-622 system is the range. On either end of the track, the lights at the other end won't fire. Not a problem if I'm shooting the end of the track that I am on, but I'm often shooting across the track, so I would really like the lights to fire. I'm sure this has to do with being inside, the wireless scoreboard, the wireless mics on the announcers, etc.... I have tried different channels, to no avail.

What I'm looking for:

The R2's are listed as greater than 100m range. The YN's are listed as 100m range. I was hoping the R2 system would be able to give me better range. It might, I haven't gotten that far.

What I did today was set my speedlight on it and played with the transmitter. I could set individual groups to whatever power level and I could mix manual with TTL and some groups off. I already know that the R2 won't adjust the power on my monolights, so that's not a problem. However, when I placed the R2 on my camera, I am limited in what I can do. All groups become TTL or all groups become manual. I can no longer mix it. Further, all groups on manual have the same power level assigned. I can not change them individually.

Looking in the limited user manual, it states that normal group mode will not work on pre-2012 cameras. This really sucks. That is not advertised anywhere (that I've seen) on Adorama's site. But, it's cool. Poop happens.

The purpose of this huge wall of text is to find out if anyone knows a work around to allow mixed mode on the R2 system, with my 1DIV. I have been through the camera menu and checked different things. What I don't understand is how the YN system can do this, but the newer R2 system can not. I daresay that's a little retarded. So, I'm thinking that maybe there is something I'm missing that will allow this to work. Though, given the pre-2012 statement in the user manual....

Any ideas before I contact Adorama about a return?

This also happens on my 7D, which as we all know is also a pre-2012 body, so.... Not looking good for the home team.

I've made sure the firmware is updated in the receiver and the transmitter. No change. Didn't really expect one, but was hoping.

I have been asking for Canon pre-2012 camera firmware to Godox for so long, via Godox thread in this forum and flashhavoc website. Since I still use 5D II.
It seems that Godox will not accomodate this problems. I still keep hoping though.

For now I cover the ttl pin with gaffer tape so that I can turn on Gr mode with 5 groups. All M mode and no ttl.

The hotshoe on top of the X1T is useless for Godox flash, it always gives full power no matter what power I set in group A or on the flash.

MedicinSC wrote in post #18290180
However, when I placed the R2 on my camera, I am limited in what I can do. All groups become TTL or all groups become manual. I can no longer mix it. Further, all groups on manual have the same power level assigned. I can not change them individually.

As you have figured out <Gr> (Groups) mode does not work with the pre 2012 DSLRs but I'll give you a work around below.

You can assign power changes and FEC's to each individual Group. If you are changing all Groups at the same time then you are pressing and holding a button rather than quick pressing. I use the "Scrolling Screen" configuration so when I want to change a power setting of an individual Group I scroll that Group to the middle of the Screen next to the white dot (white triangle on newer X1's) and then quick press the "GR" button so that individual Group will flash. I make a power (or FEC) adjustment and then quick press the "GR" button again to lock it in. If I press and hold the "GR" button then all Groups will flash so any change I make will effect all Groups.

Now onto setting up and using <Gr> mode with pre 2012 DSLRs and mixing TTL and Manual modes. What you can do is place either a Godox FT16 or XT16 transmitter in the hot shoe of the X1 (the XT32 does not work). Set the X1 to TTL to where Groups A,B and C are TTL and Groups D and E are Manual mode and controlled through the XT16 if using an X system flash with the internal receiver. If you want to use HSS or expand to where you are using Groups F and 0-9 then you'll need to attach the appropriate FTR/XTR 16 receiver to the flash.

agv8or wrote in post #18290340
Now onto setting up and using <Gr> mode with pre 2012 DSLRs and mixing TTL and Manual modes. What you can do is place either a Godox FT16 or XT16 transmitter in the hot shoe of the X1 (the XT32 does not work). Set the X1 to TTL to where Groups A,B and C are TTL and Groups D and E are Manual mode and controlled through the XT16 if using an X system flash with the internal receiver. If you want to use HSS or expand to where you are using Groups F and 0-9 then you'll need to attach the appropriate FTR/XTR 16 receiver to the flash.

Does XT16 have Off menu for each group?
When using FT16 I have to dial down the power to zero and then off to turn it off.

nixland wrote in post #18290410
Does XT16 have Off menu for each group?
When using FT16 I have to dial down the power to zero and then off to turn it off.

XT16 same as FT16 only it is 2.4G rather than 433MHz. So, you do have to dial down to get to "OFF" with the XT16 as well. This is where the XT32 would be nice to use if it worked but I have yet to find a way to get it to work in the hot shoe of an X1.

You have the ability to communicate directly with an X flash built in receiver with the XT16 where as with an FT16 you would need to use an FTR16 receiver. As I remember if you want to use HSS with either the XT16 or FT16 then you'll need to use the appropriate FTR16 or XTR16 receivers.

It's been a while since I have used the either the FT16 or XT16 with an X1 but if you have an FT16 and some FTR16 receivers that will work with your flash units then try using the X1 and FT16 combo. Short of buying a 1Dx or 5DmIII it is a way to achieve expanding the X1 beyond 3 Groups or mixing TTL and Manual flash.

Just note that if you use an XT16 you'll need to use a channel different than the X1.

Shortly after posting the original post, I realized that I could indeed change individual power or comp settings. I just didn't update on that. However, a half press of the camera shutter button reverted all power levels and comp levels to what was set in the camera menu. I did try resetting all settings in the camera menu. No help.

I appreciate the input. I was hoping there was an external flash setting, or something, in the camera menu that I was missing. Adding another device into the mix is not something I want to do. I do appreciate the input, though.

I guess I'll be sticking with the YN-622 system, for now. It does everything I want it to do, except for the indoor range.

agv8or wrote in post #18290440
...As I remember if you want to use HSS with either the XT16 or FT16 then you'll need to use the appropriate FTR16 or XTR16 receivers. ....

I don't think either does HSS unless I am missing something.

Also, to avoid unnecessary work, shipping, and general aggravation, Adorama should make it plain that not all features are available with cameras released prior to 2012. When I do the return paperwork, I will let them know this. Or, maybe Helen will see this.

MedicinSC wrote in post #18290912
Also, to avoid unnecessary work, shipping, and general aggravation, Adorama should make it plain that not all features are available with cameras released prior to 2012. When I do the return paperwork, I will let them know this. Or, maybe Helen will see this.

Or tell Helen to ask Godox for firmware update
Lot's of people still using pre-2012 camera.

MedicinSC, just thinking out loud here as I have no clue about the YN triggers...

Is it possible to place a transceiver midway across the venue to act as a sort of signal extender? Not sure if they work this way but my thought is that the camera trigger will trip the middle trigger which will trigger the far triggers. Or find something similar?

-Duck- wrote in post #18291166
MedicinSC, just thinking out loud here as I have no clue about the YN triggers...

Is it possible to place a transceiver midway across the venue to act as a sort of signal extender? Not sure if they work this way but my thought is that the camera trigger will trip the middle trigger which will trigger the far triggers. Or find something similar?

That's a great suggestion, but I have no idea how I would make that work. It would be possible to have a flash trigger the optical slave feature, probably. But, then they may go off anytime somebody else used a flash, then being power cycled when I needed them.

I would live it if there was some sort of relay feature on a trigger. I'm not technical enough to know how to code or implement something like that in a trigger. I also don't know how much of a delay that might be. It's been implemented for wifi. I just don't know if it's been done in a flash trigger/receiver.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18290754
I don't think either does HSS unless I am missing something.

They don't but in the hot shoe of the X1 they receive the FP sync signal, when the shutter speed exceeds max sync, so they will trigger the flash with the FP signal rather than the X signal. The problem is that they are not able to communicate to an X system flash to go into HSS. So, you need to use the appropriate receiver for the system and the flash you are using, then you need to go into non Wireless Manual mode and enable HSS in the flash; in the same way you do with the older non X system flashes.

Of course if you are using an FT16 transmitter then you will already be using an FTR16 receiver since it has no direct way of communicating with an X system flash like the XT16. If you are using an XT16 transmitter you can trigger an X system flash and control it's flash power through the built in receiver but only in X sync. You can however use Faux HSS without resorting to using an XTR16 receiver and flash sync timing is useable with a trigger in the hot shoe of the X1. But, if you are using an XT16 transmitter and you want to use an X system flash in True HSS, then you'll need to use an XTR16 receiver and configure the flash as I describe above.

MedicinSC wrote in post #18290912
Also, to avoid unnecessary work, shipping, and general aggravation, Adorama should make it plain that not all features are available with cameras released prior to 2012. When I do the return paperwork, I will let them know this. Or, maybe Helen will see this.

I have - and copied your comments to the 'Brands' Team for feedback.

Will post here as soon as they come back to me.