Pocketwizards?

forsooth

Hi folks, Anyone out there using PocketWizards? I just bought a Canon FlexTT5 to try out with my Canon 5D MKII because I have been reading the Strobist blogs and figured I'd give it a try. I prefer available light but often I'm shooting in dark venues where lighting is pretty grim and I thought I could supplement whats there by trying out the off camera flash techniques seen on the Strobist videos. I need to keep gear down to a minimum because I am often doing a live sound recording at the same time. I'm currently wading through reviews on sites to try and figure out exactly what to buy. If I like it I'll add another flash unit. I have a Speedlite 580 EX and I'm considering another 580EX II or maybe a Metz. I'd appreciate any advice from folks doing similar stuff. Thanks!

I just had a look at the Alien Bees and the Pull back threads and now I realize I'm in deep trouble. I loved the shots and the explanations! This could get very expensive! :rolleyes

forsooth

Dan7312

I use the PW mini/flex with 580 ex, 580 exII and 550ex. mini/flex gives you eTTL and second curtain sync, besides manual flash. I got the AC-3 controller shortly after they came out and now would use mini/flex without one. It lets you make flash adjustments from the camera, including switching between manual and ettl.

There is a learning curve with mini/flex. I find I have to be methodical about setting things up.

forsooth wrote: »

Hi folks, Anyone out there using PocketWizards? I just bought a Canon FlexTT5 to try out with my Canon 5D MKII because I have been reading the Strobist blogs and figured I'd give it a try. I prefer available light but often I'm shooting in dark venues where lighting is pretty grim and I thought I could supplement whats there by trying out the off camera flash techniques seen on the Strobist videos. I need to keep gear down to a minimum because I am often doing a live sound recording at the same time. I'm currently wading through reviews on sites to try and figure out exactly what to buy. If I like it I'll add another flash unit. I have a Speedlite 580 EX and I'm considering another 580EX II or maybe a Metz. I'd appreciate any advice from folks doing similar stuff. Thanks!

I just had a look at the Alien Bees and the Pull back threads and now I realize I'm in deep trouble. I loved the shots and the explanations! This could get very expensive!

forsooth

bloomphotog

Quick tip: The 430 EX II is the way to go for Pocketwizard Flex applications. It's RF interference with the PW system is significantly lower than the 580/550 EX. This means a more reliable, longer range off camera flash.

forsooth

Dan7312 wrote: »

I use the PW mini/flex with 580 ex, 580 exII and 550ex. mini/flex gives you eTTL and second curtain sync, besides manual flash. I got the AC-3 controller shortly after they came out and now would use mini/flex without one. It lets you make flash adjustments from the camera, including switching between manual and ettl.

There is a learning curve with mini/flex. I find I have to be methodical about setting things up.

Thanks Dan. I've had a busy week so I better get stated on this. Thanks for the tips!

forsooth

bloomphotog wrote: »

Quick tip: The 430 EX II is the way to go for Pocketwizard Flex applications. It's RF interference with the PW system is significantly lower than the 580/550 EX. This means a more reliable, longer range off camera flash.

Josh, the new Flex TT5 ships with a sleeve that fits over the 580EX (both models) to combat the RF problem but I'll have a go tomorrow to see what happens with my present gear before I decide between a 580EX II or the 430EX II for my second flash unit. I'll post results........if I get them! Still some reading to do.

Thanks for the help, I'm looking forward to using this system.

Cheers

forsooth

Dan7312

Actually, just to correct my tip, I meant to say that I *would not* use the mini without the AC-3 now.

forsooth wrote: »

Thanks Dan. I've had a busy week so I better get stated on this. Thanks for the tips!

Dan7312

Besides RF protection the AC-7 sleeves give you a lot more options for mounting your flash besides the hot shoe because they have three threaded inserts in them.

forsooth wrote: »

Josh, the new Flex TT5 ships with a sleeve that fits over the 580EX (both models) to combat the RF problem but I'll have a go tomorrow to see what happens with my present gear before I decide between a 580EX II or the 430EX II for my second flash unit. I'll post results........if I get them! Still some reading to do.

Thanks for the help, I'm looking forward to using this system.

Cheers

forsooth

forsooth

Thanks Dan. Do you use a Multimax or Plus II transmitter at all? I'm holding off just now and reading the Strobist blog before I jump in. There's a lot to learn and I don't want to buy the wrong gear before I get a better idea of how it all goes together.

I did buy the Speedlighters Handbook by Syl Arena and it's excellent for a novice like me with flash and of course there's more stuff on the Speedlighter's forum too. I'm very interested in the possibilities of this system and some of the shots I have seen are terrific.

Any suggestions are welcome.

forsooth

Dan7312

I only use mini/max. I've never used the mulitmax or plus II, but those don't support eTTL or second curtain sync, if you care about those features.

Syl Arena's book is a fantatic resource!!! BTW Syl has a bunch of info on his http://ocfgear.com site about a using just a long cord (which he sells there) for off camera flash. He gets an amazing amount of mileage out of his flashes that way. The pumpkin shot on the cover was done that way.

forsooth wrote: »

Thanks Dan. Do you use a Multimax or Plus II transmitter at all? I'm holding off just now and reading the Strobist blog before I jump in.

Any suggestions are welcome.

forsooth

forsooth

Dan7312 wrote: »

I only use mini/max. I've never used the mulitmax or plus II, but those don't support eTTL or second curtain sync, if you care about those features.

Syl Arena's book is a fantatic resource!!! BTW Syl has a bunch of info on his http://ocfgear.com site about a using just a long cord (which he sells there) for off camera flash. He gets an amazing amount of mileage out of his flashes that way. The pumpkin shot on the cover was done that way.

Dan, I bought the long cord you mention and some other stuff recommended in the book and it should arrive Tuesday and I'll experiment with that first. The book is excellent and the photos and text are very well organized. I can see me reading this one several times. I'll hold off on more gear until I wade through the rest of the book.

Thanks for your comments!

forsooth

Tim Snow

I use my Mini as a transmitter, and the Flex on my 430exII along with 2 Plus II transceivers on my other Speedlites (a 580II and 550).
You do lack TTL with the Plus II's, but if you don't mind working in manual it's no real bother. That said, I do intend on picking up 2 more Flex's to make my AC-3 more useful in challenging situations. My Plus II's also do double duty on my studio strobes, being triggered by the Mini!
All said, Pocket Wizards are awesome. If you ever have problems with them, their customer service is awesome too!

forsooth

Tim Snow wrote: »

I use my Mini as a transmitter, and the Flex on my 430exII along with 2 Plus II transceivers on my other Speedlites (a 580II and 550).
You do lack TTL with the Plus II's, but if you don't mind working in manual it's no real bother. That said, I do intend on picking up 2 more Flex's to make my AC-3 more useful in challenging situations. My Plus II's also do double duty on my studio strobes, being triggered by the Mini!
All said, Pocket Wizards are awesome. If you ever have problems with them, their customer service is awesome too!

Tim, thanks for the reply! I can't make up my mind whether to buy two more FlexTT5s or go with Multimaxs or the Plus IIs. Obviously money is involved but for the ultimate system what would you use? I don't want to get a MiniTT because they have different batteries. It seems to me that I could save by going with the Plus IIs but I see your point on lacking the TTL.

I'm thinking out loud here and it looks as if it's the FlexTT5s or Multimaxes which is funny because I shoot on manual all the time....... now I'm confused again! Help!

forsooth

forsooth

Completely off topic here Tim but I just went to your website. Terrific stuff, beautiful photographs. I'm really impressed! I'm off to shoot MerleFest here in NC this weekend..... absolutely no flash allowed. I have always been an available light guy but looking at your photos gives me a good idea of what I have been missing!

forsooth

Dan7312

Even if you only shoot manual you may find the Flex useful. If you combine it with the AC-3 zone controller you can control the manual output level of up to tree groups of flashes from your camera.

Just in case you try this out, even if you are shooting manual with this setup you still have your flashes set to eTTL mode. The switch between eTTL and manual is done on the AC-3 zone controller.

forsooth wrote: »

Tim, thanks for the reply! I can't make up my mind whether to buy two more FlexTT5s or go with Multimaxs or the Plus IIs. Obviously money is involved but for the ultimate system what would you use? I don't want to get a MiniTT because they have different batteries. It seems to me that I could save by going with the Plus IIs but I see your point on lacking the TTL.

I'm thinking out loud here and it looks as if it's the FlexTT5s or Multimaxes which is funny because I shoot on manual all the time....... now I'm confused again! Help!

forsooth

forsooth

Dan7312 wrote: »

Even if you only shoot manual you may find the Flex useful. If you combine it with the AC-3 zone controller you can control the manual output level of up to tree groups of flashes from your camera.

Just in case you try this out, even if you are shooting manual with this setup you still have your flashes set to eTTL mode. The switch between eTTL and manual is done on the AC-3 zone controller.

Thanks Dan! I had looked at the AC3 and thought it was a useful piece of gear. I'll add it to my list. I cannot ever see me using more than three flashes. I'm still reading Syl's book and my shopping list is getting bigger! I think using flash in this way is going to open up a whole other range of possibilities. I can see that I'll have a steep learning curve for quite a while though!

Thanks for the tips!

forsooth

forsooth

Dan, I've decided to go with three FlexxTT5s and an AC3 for the moment because I'll standardize with the AA batteries. Thanks for all the help guys, this has been very informative!

forsooth

http://forsooth.smugmug.com