POCKET WIZARD Mini TT1 & Flex TT5

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Malcolm
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Has anyone had first hand experience of these units with a Canon camera ?

There are a lot of general blogs about problems, many of them are several months old, so perhaps the problems have been sorted out. Also there are US and UK & Japan models. I have seen info on Radio Poppers, where you stick things to the flash unit (looks a bit messy), but sem to work well, but would appreciate any comments on the latest PW.
 
I have the above triggers and the range was appalling with my 430ex however since selling that flash and getting the MK2 version things got a whole lot better

they work great now no misfires - unlike the cheap ebay ones that I had lots of bother with one of which was dead on arrival

the Pw's are expensive but they just work and work well, add the AC3 controller and things get even better - brilliant if your flashguns are inside a softbox as once you have set them up you dont have to touch them again
 
Thanks for that Chris. It's a bit of a minefield looking at all the reports and trying to sift out if the problems with PW have been sorted out. How long have you been using them and if yoiu have the Mini TT1 and the Flex TT%, why is the AC3 necessary? ............................ ignor this, just found a video that explains it. Looks good.
 
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I've had a pair of TT5s for about a year, they work brilliantly.
The biggest problems I've read are:
Overheating issues with 580s, I've read loads of stories, but it appears they're due to overheating from bursts rather than by the triggers per se.
Triggering problems on the US versions due to the frequency they use, not appropriate for UK spec ones.
 
Thanks for your input Phil. I am building up to it gradually and like the idea of what it does. Must make sure it's a UK model if I buy. Do you also have the AC3 controller?
 
No, I'm building portable flash gear too, the AC3 controller is on the list but there's a number of things before it.
 
Hi alex,
I have had my minitt flex and ac3 zone controller for a while now and have not been disappointed. Range is very good, very reliable, and best of all once you have programmed the units to your requirements it works seamlessly everytime. The ac3 controller is perfect for remote manual control. If haven't already, check out the tutorial videos on the pw website.
Cheers
S
 
Thanks Sharif,
I have been looking at loads of videos about this PW system and they look very impressive indeed. There seems to be some mention about updates, although I wonder just what updates can be added.

I think I will eventually get to the point of buying, but it would be good to find someone locally who has this system, as well as some time to show the system working with the Canon.

This would make a good subject for a lighting course for a day. It would show others just what could be achieved with this system as well as general off camera flash units, which are very handy at times. I still like the studio lighting, but don want to have the easiest setup for shooting elsewhere when additional lighting is required.

I appreciate your help.

M
 
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have you tried any of the local flickr strobist groups? there is alway a chance there is some1 with PW's.
Pw's routinely updates the firmware and the config software e.g. one of the last updates abbed the ability of flash preview (i.e. what happens when you press the DoF preview button with flash on your cam Hshoe) to the flex&mini.
last i checked some1 was selling the kit here

its endless possiblities with theses tinks look here

s
 
Cheers for that. Looking for all the info I can gather.

M
 
I've been using them at weddings for well over a year now (forget exactly how long!) and the only time I've missed shots was because of my error (I hadn't locked the flash in place on the PW and it had slid part-way off).

There are issues with some flash units, but at normal working distances I have no problems with a 430ex II, 550ex or 580ex II.
 
Hi Mark,

many thanks for your input, which is appreciated. Nice to know that you are happy with the TT1 & TT5 and all working well. As mentioned, I am looking into these units as an improvement on my present setup and the PW's do look good

Malcolm
 
I use them and I think they are great.

My main use is outside during daylight hours when I want to get the flash off the camera and also to shoot at wider apertures as the much higher sync speed possible with them really does open the camera settings window up.

I did one of the Lovegrove lighting courses shortly after getting mine and I am doing another one tomorrow, should be really good inspiration for using them more if its anything like the last one I did.
 
Hi Nick,

thank you for your input. Nice to know you are also happy with the PW set up, which I am considering at present. I need to look into more lighting courses, particularly where the PW system is used.

I have looked at your web site, which is very professional and pleasing to the eye. You obviously do well with your weddings and I wish you every success in the future.

Cheers

Malcolm
 
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I'm on the other side of the fence. I use them with 2 x 580EX and they misfire regularly to the point that I've stopped using them as you can't rely on them.
I have 3 flex tt5's and i've tried various combinations but the results are the same. Some expensive bag of crap.
Another local photographer to me also has had countless problems with them, hes uses flextt5 with 580EXII

It seems to be pot luck whether they will work or not unfortunately.
 
Ballyman said:
I'm on the other side of the fence. I use them with 2 x 580EX and they misfire regularly to the point that I've stopped using them as you can't rely on them.
I have 3 flex tt5's and i've tried various combinations but the results are the same. Some expensive bag of crap.
Another local photographer to me also has had countless problems with them, hes uses flextt5 with 580EXII

It seems to be pot luck whether they will work or not unfortunately.
Click to expand...

Well that's no good at all!

Are they US or Euro spec? Have you got the latest firmware? Have you asked PW about it?
 
Ballyman said:
I'm on the other side of the fence. I use them with 2 x 580EX and they misfire regularly to the point that I've stopped using them as you can't rely on them.
I have 3 flex tt5's and i've tried various combinations but the results are the same. Some expensive bag of crap.
Another local photographer to me also has had countless problems with them, hes uses flextt5 with 580EXII

It seems to be pot luck whether they will work or not unfortunately.
Click to expand...

I am sure u are aware, but still...
The mini and the flex are prone to malfunction when used with the 5xx series of guns from canon. This is (as I understand it) due to the radio frequency noise these units produce. PW is aware of it and have implemented shields (for sale) to reduce the rf noise affecting the remotes.
I suspect they were aware of it before the controlTL series went on sale but didn't bother to redesign the system! Which is a shame since it works so well with 430exii.

S
 
Ballyman,

thanks for the feedback. I have read about the problems with the 580's, which I understand is the radio frequency on the flash units and not on the PW units.............. or so I have read. Were you getting problems with short distances as well as further away? I believe the distance is the problem ans as Sharif has mentioned, there is a screening sock that can eliminate the problem when the flash unit is further away. Can you say what distance the problems were occuring?

Thanks

M
 
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Mine are the EU models.

I would say the problem got really noticeable from upwards of about 15 feet away. I've ordered some hotshoe cables to see if moving the flash >18" away from the tt5 will help so I'll let you know how I get on.
 
Is it the 580ex or 580ex II that you are using? The 580ex is known to give out a lot of RF noise and therefore performance with the Flex-TT5 is pretty abysmal without one of the shielding solutions.

The 580ex II on the other hand, whilst still being affected by RF noise, is much better. When Rob Galbraith tested his (fairly early USA versions) to around 30m. My experience is that I can use the 580ex II up to around 30-50m outdoors and about 20-30m indoors without any reliability issues. With the 430ex II and 550ex I gave up testing because it was further than I'd ever practically use. (70-80m when I gave up if I remember rightly)

If you haven't installed the latest firmware on all of the PocketWizards (the more recent versions of the firmware makes significant improvements) then do. (It's particularly important to make sure that you have the same firmware on all of the PWs.)
 
Hi Ballyman,

I do think that you need the sock-shield on your 580 ex's to solve the problem. Perhaps someone who owns this may let you try it out before you buy? Where are you located, as this will give other togs the chance to make an offer of help? Worth a request locally I would have thought. It may then solve your problems.

M
 
Ballyman said:
Mine are the EU models.

I would say the problem got really noticeable from upwards of about 15 feet away. I've ordered some hotshoe cables to see if moving the flash >18" away from the tt5 will help so I'll let you know how I get on.
Click to expand...

Are you aware of all the RF suppression options? The EC spec versions are supposed to be much less affected, so I would ask PW for their advice. They are very prompt and helpful. Check out the options here
http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-10050-10598

One of PW's authorised 580EX internal modders is Michael Bass, cost $75. Worth it to get everything hunky dory. He's also very helpful
http://michaelbass.blogspot.com/2006/11/canon-flash-auxillary-sync-mod.html#580EXII_RF_Mod Or swap to 430EXii guns.
 
Ballyman said:
I would say the problem got really noticeable from upwards of about 15 feet away. I've ordered some hotshoe cables to see if moving the flash >18" away from the tt5 will help so I'll let you know how I get on.
Click to expand...

I did the hot shoe cable thing and it made no difference at all - 30ft range was all they could manage got the 430ex2 and what a difference

I think the Flex are great if used with Flashguns that are known to work well with them such as 550ex 430ex2 and Nissin
 
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