Pocket wizard Flex system

onform

onform

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matt
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A few questions if I may, as I have just bought these.

How many of you own the flex system?

How do you use them for greatest effect?

and last but not least how the hell do you get them to increase your sync speed?

I have watched all the vid's and read all the instructions.. But I simply can't work out the utility! when ever I move or adjust anything I get black bands??

Don't get me wrong they worked straight out of the box, after a couple of test shots of course, but only at normal sync of 200th as soon as I go over that it switches to HHS. Now that is great for normal use but I want to learn how to tweak these b*st*rds!!
 
I have a 7D with it and for me it only gives me 1/400 so 1 stop above the normal 1/250, beyond that it goes to the normal HSS. I'd suggest going to the latest firmware if not already then set it the defaults a few times then try, don't forget it usually takes the first sync shot before it settles down. I remember when I first got them I spent ages mucking around with the speed and stuff but I just ended up with black bars then like I say firmware, defaults just worked :) I tried the latest beta and the 7D hated it, support at PW sent me the beta before this and it worked a treat.

So far I haven't used them in anger but it's a work in progress :) I'd recommendthe AC3 as an addon if you have more than 1 flash, this is 430EX IIs as well.
 
Canon 5D doesn't make best use of the Hypersync feature. I know 1/250sec is as good as it gets with a 5D2 with its big clunky shutter. For the same reason, you don't get max benefit from the optimised HSS feature either :(

PW Flex works best with faster cameras, like the 7D. Even better, 1D3/4 which can run up to 1/500sec before HSS kicks in.

Lots of stuff about all this on www.robgalbraith.com
 
Yep! I think 1/250th is all I'm going to get :shrug:. Oh well they work great for what I need them for, HSS at wide apertures..:)

Oh, and I got a mini and two tt5's. One 580EXII and a 430EXII Kicking myself that I didn't get AC3 in the kit!? probably cost loads more now..

Listen guy's why don't we keep this thread active by discussing our experiences, sharing our settings camera make with offset and max sync achieved etc.. and also some results using the system... I have not had opportunity to use in anger yet but soon!

Who is going to go first? :thumbs:
 
Hi Matt,

that's a great idea. I have not yet got into HSS or above, but am very interested in anything to do with that aspect, and the Flex system, so will be pleased to follow the thread.

Malcolm
 
Good idea - I need to get into using mine more; got a couple of opportunities coming up so we'l see. I've got a mini TT1, 3 Flex TT5's and an AC3, for my Nikon D700.
 
They are a load of crap with any Canon flash apart from the 430ex II. I use 580's and the max distance I can get on them is 8-10 metres due to RF from the flashes.

When they work they are great but they're not a bit reliable.
 
onform said:
and last but not least how the hell do you get them to increase your sync speed?

I have watched all the vid's and read all the instructions.. But I simply can't work out the utility! when ever I move or adjust anything I get black bands??

Don't get me wrong they worked straight out of the box, after a couple of test shots of course, but only at normal sync of 200th as soon as I go over that it switches to HHS. Now that is great for normal use but I want to learn how to tweak these b*st*rds!!
Click to expand...


To go over your standard sync you have to use HSS, which you used to have to fine tune manually, but not any more, get the newest version there is nothing to change for your set up the guys at LPA have devised an in bored system where the mini optimises the signal for what camera it's set to and the flex the tweaks the signal and duration for the flash that it's working with.


Ballyman said:
They are a load of crap with any Canon flash apart from the 430ex II. I use 580's and the max distance I can get on them is 8-10 metres due to RF from the flashes.

When they work they are great but they're not a bit reliable.
Click to expand...

You should get more than that :-/ although I will agree range isn't great, the interference guards do improve things substantially and would be worth looking into if your having serious issues
 
I can't see, (in the immediate future), any reason for me to need more than 10 metres? But I am going to test it just to see how far I can get.. Tomorrow..;)
 
Hi Aindreas,

I thought there was an RF screen (like a sock) that you could use to cut out the RF. I also read somewhere that Canon may be able to make some alteration to the 580's to reduce RF, but not sure about that.

Pity there aren't more people using this Flex equipment, I would love to get together with someone in the West Midlands to see this actually working before making any commitment.

Perhaps before too long, a few groups could get together to exchange ideas and help each other?
 
Ballyman said:
They are a load of crap with any Canon flash apart from the 430ex II. I use 580's and the max distance I can get on them is 8-10 metres due to RF from the flashes.

When they work they are great but they're not a bit reliable.
Click to expand...

Are you using Euro-spec or US frequency models? Euro are supposed to be (relatively) unaffected by the RF issues.

BTW, apart from the shields available, you can get 580EX guns internally modded with a PW-approved fix - $75 from Michael Bass Designs, amongst others. Info on the Rob Galbraith link above post #4.
 
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alexam said:
Hi Aindreas,

I thought there was an RF screen (like a sock) that you could use to cut out the RF. I also read somewhere that Canon may be able to make some alteration to the 580's to reduce RF, but not sure about that.

Pity there aren't more people using this Flex equipment, I would love to get together with someone in the West Midlands to see this actually working before making any commitment.

Perhaps before too long, a few groups could get together to exchange ideas and help each other?
Click to expand...

There is a sock and it works very well they also do a hard shield which works even better but it's a pain of a shape to pack.

Where in the west midlands are you I have shoots in Manchester, Bath and Yeovil in the next week so I'm driving past most places
 
Hi Dom,

Thanks for the offer. Sounds as if you use the Flex system and it would be good to see it in operation when you are near. You certainly have the HSS worked out with your fantastic sports shots I have seen on your Web page

My location is not far from Junction 3 of the M42 and you are welcome to pop in for a coffee and chat whenever you're passing this way. However, I am tied up for the next few weeks, but if you are this way fairly often, I can PM my number?

Malcolm
 
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Cheers for the all the advice. I was aware of the socks and upgrade fixes etc. but my point was that when you shell out almost €600 for 3 flex tt5's it's not unreasonable to expect them to work properly without having to spend another €120+ modifying flashes etc!!

To be honest I hardly ever use them for distances greater than 10m but even at short distances you can't reliably trust them 100% as they still misfire once in ten which is ridiculous to be honest for the amount they cost.

I had Plus II's which I sold when I got the Flextt5's but I've dumped them completely for manual studio work now in place of Cactus V5's which, so far anyway, work 100% properly 100% of the time for a fraction of the cost. As I only use the flextt5's now for outdoor wedding shots I think I will get rid of 580EX's and replace them with 430EX II's as they would have plenty of power for what I need.
 
Ballyman said:
Cheers for the all the advice. I was aware of the socks and upgrade fixes etc. but my point was that when you shell out almost €600 for 3 flex tt5's it's not unreasonable to expect them to work properly without having to spend another €120+ modifying flashes etc!!

To be honest I hardly ever use them for distances greater than 10m but even at short distances you can't reliably trust them 100% as they still misfire once in ten which is ridiculous to be honest for the amount they cost.

I had Plus II's which I sold when I got the Flextt5's but I've dumped them completely for manual studio work now in place of Cactus V5's which, so far anyway, work 100% properly 100% of the time for a fraction of the cost. As I only use the flextt5's now for outdoor wedding shots I think I will get rid of 580EX's and replace them with 430EX II's as they would have plenty of power for what I need.
Click to expand...

But are they US or EC frequency?

Edit: Sorry, I think I've asked that before in a previous thread and you said Euro spec :(
 
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New Beta firmware released for Nikon and Canon as of yesterday, remember space monkeys this is a beta :) Save your last working firmware and settings. For me lot's of fixes on the 7D and I have a copy of the working 5.243 beta version to roll back to.
 
I bought some off this forum recently, not changed anything on them and they work completely fine. Think they sync about 1/320 comfortably on a 5dmk2 before HSS... I got them to use for HSS anyway. Maybe mine have updated firmware?
 
Just been checking for updates for the TT1 and TT5 for Nikon and have noticed version 3.000 is now available although the release notes link on their website refer to version 2.100 :thinking:

Steve
 
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Just checked the beta page and canon version has jumped to 6.0 with the release notes dated today, same with the release notes for nikon 1st of September. Hot off the press :)
 
I have 2 TT5 and a TT1, last wedding I thought I would set one up and give it a shot during the first dance. But when I set it up, it kept doing full dumps...I was 5ft away.

So I took it away from where i set it up (ETTL) and then put it on the table, stood RIGHT next to it and triggered it.

No fire.
No fire.
Fire (full dump)
No fire
Fire (full dump)

Then I got the sock out, put it on, works fine.

I got the Europe version...without the sock, in a RF heavy environment (lots of DJ equipment, the PW were useless!).
 
Raymond what gun were you using? I'm guessing 580??
 
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